CSS inset-inline-start Property

Posted in CSS Tutorial

Updated on Oct 03, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 14 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 1 Comment

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

The inset-inline-start property in CSS is used to specify the offset from the start of the inline axis of an element's containing block.

In a left-to-right (LTR) writing mode, this is the left side, while in a right-to-left (RTL) writing mode, this is the right side.

This property is part of the Logical Properties and Values specification, which aims to provide more logical and adaptable ways to control layout, especially for internationalization.

💡 Syntax

The syntax for the inset-inline-start property is simple and allows for various units to define the offset.

Syntax

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element {
  inset-inline-start: length | percentage | auto;
}

🎛️ Default Value

The default value of the inset-inline-start property is auto, which means that the position is determined by the normal flow of the document.

🏠 Property Values

Value	Description
length	Specifies a fixed offset. Can be any valid length value, such as px, em, rem, etc.
percentage	Specifies an offset as a percentage of the containing block's width.
auto	The position is determined by the normal document flow.

📄 Example

In this example, we'll position a box 20 pixels from the start of the inline axis (left in LTR and right in RTL).

index.html

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<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <title>CSS inset-inline-start Example</title>
  <style>
    .box {
      position: absolute;
      inset-inline-start: 20px;
      top: 10px;
      width: 100px;
      height: 100px;
      background-color: lightblue;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <h1>Box Positioned with inset-inline-start</h1>
  <div class="box"></div>
</body>
</html>

🖥️ Browser Compatibility

The inset-inline-start property is supported in most modern browsers. However, it is recommended to test your website across different browsers to ensure consistent behavior, especially if you are working with internationalized content or need to support older browsers.

🎉 Conclusion

The inset-inline-start property provides a logical and flexible way to control the positioning of elements relative to the start of the inline axis.

This is particularly useful in responsive design and internationalized websites, as it adapts to different writing modes. By using logical properties like inset-inline-start, you can create more adaptable and future-proof layouts.