---
title: preload
framework: webkitjs
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Property
path: webkitjs/htmlmediaelement/1633059-preload
---

# preload

A DOMString value that gives a hint to the browser how much of the media should be fetched when the webpage is loaded.

## Declaration

```data
attribute DOMString preload;
```

## Discussion

Discussion Possible values are auto, metadata, and none. The attribute defaults to auto, suggesting to the browser the server is able to provide the media for immediate and agressive downloading. The metadata value suggests minimal server interaction to retrieve only metadata and the first frames of the media resource, while none suggests no server interaction is needed. These preload values can be changed dynamically. There is no guarantee that you get the behavior that you request.

## See Also

### Getting and Setting Properties

- [autoplay](webkitjs/htmlmediaelement/1629662-autoplay.md)
- [controls](webkitjs/htmlmediaelement/1631980-controls.md)
- [currentTime](webkitjs/htmlmediaelement/1631307-currenttime.md)
- [defaultPlaybackRate](webkitjs/htmlmediaelement/1631650-defaultplaybackrate.md)
- [loop](webkitjs/htmlmediaelement/1633760-loop.md)
- [muted](webkitjs/htmlmediaelement/1630580-muted.md)
- [playbackRate](webkitjs/htmlmediaelement/1629746-playbackrate.md)
- [src](webkitjs/htmlmediaelement/1629312-src.md)
- [volume](webkitjs/htmlmediaelement/1631549-volume.md)