CSS left Property

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Example

Set the left edge of a positioned <div> element to 150px from the left edge of its nearest positioned ancestor:

div.c {
  position: absolute;
  left: 150px;
  width: 200px;
  height: 120px;
  border: 3px solid green;
}
Try it Yourself »

More "Try it Yourself" examples below.

Definition and Usage

The left property affects the horizontal position of a positioned element. This property has no effect on non-positioned elements.

  • If position: absolute; or position: fixed; - the left property sets the left edge of an element to a unit to the left of the left edge of its nearest positioned ancestor.
  • If position: relative; - the left property sets the left edge of an element to a unit to the left/right of its normal position.
  • If position: sticky; - the left property behaves like its position is relative when the element is inside the viewport, and like its position is fixed when it is outside.
  • If position: static; - the left property has no effect.

Show demo ❯

Default value: auto
Inherited: no
Animatable: yes. Read about animatable Try it
Version: CSS2
JavaScript syntax: object.style.left="100px" Try it

Browser Support

The numbers in the table specify the first browser version that fully supports the property.

Property
left 1.0 5.5 1.0 1.0 5.0

CSS Syntax

left: auto|length|initial|inherit;

Property Values

Value Description Demo
auto Lets the browser calculate the left edge position. This is default Demo ❯
length Sets the left edge position in px, cm, etc. Negative values are allowed. Read about length units Demo ❯
% Sets the left edge position in % of containing element. Negative values are allowed Demo ❯
initial Sets this property to its default value. Read about initial
inherit Inherits this property from its parent element. Read about inherit

More Examples

Example

Use the left property with a negative value and for an element with no positioned ancestors:

div.b {
  position: absolute;
  left: -10px;
  width: 100px;
  height: 120px;
  border: 3px solid blue;
}

div.c {
  position: absolute;
  left: 150px;
  width: 200px;
  height: 120px;
  border: 3px solid green;
}
Try it Yourself »

Related Pages

CSS tutorial: CSS Positioning

CSS reference: right property

CSS reference: bottom property

CSS reference: top property

HTML DOM reference: left property


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