Microsoft will improve text rendering in Chrome on Windows PCs

After several years of complaints, Microsoft has finally made changes to Chromium that should improve text rendering in Google's browser on Windows computers.

By default, Chrome uses Skia text rendering with hard-coded values for contrast and gamma, resulting in text looking much thinner and lighter (the difference can be seen by comparing Chrome to Edge or Firefox). However, as Neowin noticed, Microsoft engineers have integrated support for ClearType Text Tuner to make the browser respond to any changes in contrast and gamma, like most other native Windows programs.

Microsoft's ClearType font technology has long been used in Windows to improve text rendering on screens — making it look as if it was printed on a piece of paper (similar settings were received by Edge about three years ago).

These changes are part of Microsoft's commitment, which five years ago released Edge based on Chromium and stated it will "provide its own experience to enhance the performance of all Chromium-based browsers in Windows." Microsoft has also helped improve scrolling in Chrome, touch support, and more.

It is noted that the update will be available in Chromium v. 124.