Audio preload attribute

HTML DOM Audio Object

Definition and usage

preload Attribute sets or returns the The <audio> preload attribute Value.

The preload attribute specifies whether and how to load audio when the page is loaded.

The preload attribute allows the author to provide hints to the browser about what they believe will provide the best user experience. In some cases, this attribute may be ignored.

Note:If the autoplay attribute exists, ignore the preload attribute.

Example

Example 1

Find out whether and how to load audio when the page is loaded:

var x = document.getElementById("myAudio").preload;

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Example 2

Demonstrate how to set different attribute values:

document.getElementById("myAudio").preload = "none";
document.getElementById("myaudio").preload = "auto";

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Syntax

Return the preload attribute:

audioObject.preload

Set the preload attribute:

audioObject.preload = "auto|metadata|none"

Attribute value

Value Description
auto The author believes that the browser should load the entire audio when the page is loaded.
metadata The author believes that the browser should only load metadata when the page is loaded.
none The author believes that the browser should not load audio when the page is loaded.

Technical Details

Return value:

String value, indicating which data should be preloaded (if any).

Possible return values are "auto", "metadata", or "none".

Browser Support

Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
Support 9.0 Support Support Support

Related Pages

HTML Reference Manual:HTML <audio> preload Attribute

HTML DOM Audio Object