[GH-ISSUE #357] Library currently unsuitable for use in browsers, only native. #222

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opened 2026-03-03 14:35:33 +03:00 by kerem · 4 comments

kerem commented

2026-03-03 14:35:33 +03:00

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Originally created by @stevensacks on GitHub (Mar 27, 2017).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/lipis/flag-icons/issues/357

This library isn't suitable for a browser because you have every single flag in a separate file, which means if I want to show all the flags, I have to download 1 css file + 255 flag files. That's 256 http(s) requests. Not good.

The proper way to do this is a single sprite sheet with background positions. That's 2 files instead of 256. If you can write a build script to handle this, great. Otherwise, it's not suitable for use in browsers, only native apps.

Originally created by @stevensacks on GitHub (Mar 27, 2017). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/lipis/flag-icons/issues/357 This library isn't suitable for a browser because you have every single flag in a separate file, which means if I want to show all the flags, I have to download 1 css file + 255 flag files. That's 256 http(s) requests. Not good. The proper way to do this is a single sprite sheet with background positions. That's 2 files instead of 256. If you can write a build script to handle this, great. Otherwise, it's not suitable for use in browsers, only native apps.

kerem closed this issue

2026-03-03 14:35:33 +03:00

kerem commented

2026-03-03 14:35:34 +03:00

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@seanfoo commented on GitHub (Mar 27, 2017):

@stevensacks,

if you want to create a sprite and upload it here. I'm sure the maintainer would consider including it in the build process. This might be helpful.

https://css-tricks.com/svg-sprites-use-better-icon-fonts/
https://github.com/jkphl/svg-sprite

We've been using the icons as given for over a year now with no issues, but we only include one flag per page. We can debate whether forcing every user to download a the 170kb serbian svg is appropriate or not. YMMV.

sean

@seanfoo commented on GitHub (Mar 27, 2017): @stevensacks, if you want to create a sprite and upload it here. I'm sure the maintainer would consider including it in the build process. This might be helpful. https://css-tricks.com/svg-sprites-use-better-icon-fonts/ https://github.com/jkphl/svg-sprite We've been using the icons as given for over a year now with no issues, but we only include one flag per page. We can debate whether forcing every user to download a the 170kb serbian svg is appropriate or not. YMMV. sean

kerem commented

2026-03-03 14:35:34 +03:00

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@lipis commented on GitHub (Mar 27, 2017):

Usually you would use a few of those flags and if actually you need all of them in one page.. I think anyone can use a sprite or something to cover their needs. This repo will have them separately.. sorry for that.

@lipis commented on GitHub (Mar 27, 2017): Usually you would use a few of those flags and if actually you need all of them in one page.. I think anyone can use a sprite or something to cover their needs. This repo will have them separately.. sorry for that.

kerem commented

2026-03-03 14:35:34 +03:00

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@stevensacks commented on GitHub (Mar 27, 2017):

For example, we have an international site and we have drop down where people choose what country they're from. We don't have EVERY country, but we have over 100. That's a lot of requests for each user to make to load the page. We like your flags, but we can't use them unless there's a sheet.

As far as Serbia goes, is that the raw size or gzipped?

@stevensacks commented on GitHub (Mar 27, 2017): For example, we have an international site and we have drop down where people choose what country they're from. We don't have EVERY country, but we have over 100. That's a lot of requests for each user to make to load the page. We like your flags, but we can't use them unless there's a sheet. As far as Serbia goes, is that the raw size or gzipped?

kerem commented

2026-03-03 14:35:34 +03:00

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@lipis commented on GitHub (Mar 27, 2017):

well I would recommend you to create a simple script that combines the ones that you want.. the total size would still include Serbia..

@lipis commented on GitHub (Mar 27, 2017): well I would recommend you to create a simple script that combines the ones that you want.. the total size would still include Serbia..

kerem referenced this issue

2026-03-03 14:40:23 +03:00

[PR #222] [MERGED] Update grunt-contrib-less to version 1.3.0 🚀 #706