bug(form-field): notch width is out of sync with custom label content during layout changes #33207

Is this a regression?

• Yes, this behavior used to work in the previous version

The previous version in which this bug was not present was

No response

Description

The MDC-based mat-form-field (outline appearance) fails to synchronously update the notch (gap) width when the content inside mat-label changes its layout or when the container is resized. This is especially evident when using custom components with Flexbox inside the label (e.g., for adding help icons or tooltips).

Reproduction

StackBlitz link: https://stackblitz.com/edit/components-issue-starter-gnupffhv?file=src%2Fmain.ts
Steps to reproduce:

1. Create a mat-form-field with appearance="outline" and floatLabel="always".
2. Apply display: flex to the mat-label (or a container immediately inside it).
3. Place a text string and an icon (e.g., mat-icon) inside that flex container.
4. Dynamically change the width of the form field's container (e.g., by resizing the browser window or using a slider in the provided reproduction).
5. Observe the behavior of the label content and the notch gap.

Expected Behavior

The notch gap should resize synchronously with the label content to prevent any "sliding" or "drifting" effect. The gap in the outline should always match the actual width of the floating label in real-time during container resizing or layout shifts, ensuring that the border never overlaps the label's text or icons.

Actual Behavior

There is a significant visual lag in the label's positioning and scaling. While the browser's layout engine expands the container instantly, the label's text content moves and resizes with a delay.

In this implementation, we intentionally prioritize the visibility of the tooltip/icon over the label text.. This ensures that the help trigger is always accessible to the user, even on small screens

Lag Animation: https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a3e9ff59-8586-449b-95d1-d5d0b3e0f727

Environment

• Angular: 21.2.10
• CDK/Material: 21.2.8
• Browser(s): Chrome 147.0.7727.138
• Operating System (e.g. Windows, macOS, Ubuntu): Windows