CSS text-align-last Property

Definition and Usage

The text-align-last property sets how the last line of a block is aligned — or the line right before a forced line break. Other lines still follow text-align.

It is most useful with text-align: justify, where full lines stretch to both edges but the final line often should stay start-aligned, centered, or otherwise finished cleanly. It is inherited. The initial value is auto.

CSS Syntax

One keyword. auto follows text-align, except when text-align is justify — then auto acts like start.

Property Values

How to Use text-align-last

Set the body alignment first, then decide how the final line should finish.

1. Set text-align on the block (often justify).
2. Choose a text-align-last keyword for the final line.
3. Prefer start / end when direction may be LTR or RTL.
4. Check a multi-line paragraph so the last line is shorter than full width.

Live Preview

The paragraph uses text-align: justify. Change only text-align-last and watch the final line.

CSS Examples

Each snippet pairs text-align: justify with text-align-last so the effect is easy to see. Use Try It Yourself for a live editor.

<style>
  p {
    text-align: justify;
    text-align-last: center;
  }
</style>

<p>
  Full lines meet both edges. The last line sits in the center.
</p>

<style>
  p {
    text-align: justify;
    text-align-last: left;
  }
</style>

<p>
  Justified text looks even until the last line, which stays left.
</p>

<style>
  p {
    text-align: justify;
    text-align-last: start;
  }
</style>

<p>Last line aligns to the start edge.</p>
<p dir="rtl">السطر الأخير يتبع اتجاه الكتابة.</p>

Key Takeaways