align-items

The CSS align-items property sets the align-self value on all direct children as a group. In Flexbox, it controls the alignment of items on the Cross Axis. In Grid Layout, it controls the alignment of items on the Block Axis within their grid area.

The interactive example below demonstrates some of the values for align-items using grid layout.

Syntax

/* Basic keywords */
align-items: normal;
align-items: stretch;

/* Positional alignment */
/* align-items does not take left and right values */
align-items: center; /* Pack items around the center */
align-items: start; /* Pack items from the start */
align-items: end; /* Pack items from the end */
align-items: flex-start; /* Pack flex items from the start */
align-items: flex-end; /* Pack flex items from the end */

/* Baseline alignment */
align-items: baseline;
align-items: first baseline;
align-items: last baseline; /* Overflow alignment (for positional alignment only) */
align-items: safe center;
align-items: unsafe center;

/* Global values */
align-items: inherit;
align-items: initial;
align-items: unset;

Values

normal
The effect of this keyword is dependent of the layout mode we are in:
  • In absolutely-positioned layouts, the keyword behaves like start on replaced absolutely-positioned boxes, and as stretch on all other absolutely-positioned boxes.
  • In static position of absolutely-positioned layouts, the keyword behaves as stretch.
  • For flex items, the keyword behaves as stretch.
  • For grid items, this keyword leads to a behavior similar to the one of stretch, except for boxes with an aspect ratio or an intrinsic sizes where it behaves like start.
  • The property doesn't apply to block-level boxes, and to table cells.
flex-start
The cross-start margin edges of the flex items are flushed with the cross-start edge of the line.
flex-end
The cross-end margin edges of the flex items are flushed with the cross-end edge of the line.
center
The flex items' margin boxes are centered within the line on the cross-axis. If the cross-size of an item is larger than the flex container, it will overflow equally in both directions.
start
The items are packed flush to each other toward the start edge of the alignment container in the appropriate axis.
end
The items are packed flush to each other toward the end edge of the alignment container in the appropriate axis.
self-start
The items are packed flush to the edge of the alignment container of the start side of the item, in the appropriate axis.
self-end
The items are packed flush to the edge of the alignment container of the end side of the item, in the appropriate axis.
baseline
first baseline
last baseline
All flex items are aligned such that their flex container baselines align. The item with the largest distance between its cross-start margin edge and its baseline is flushed with the cross-start edge of the line.
stretch
Flex items are stretched such that the cross-size of the item's margin box is the same as the line while respecting width and height constraints.
safe
Used alongside an alignment keyword. If the chosen keyword means that the item overflows the alignment container causing data loss, the item is instead aligned as if the alignment mode were start.
unsafe
Used alongside an alignment keyword. Regardless of the relative sizes of the item and alignment container and whether overflow which causes data loss might happen, the given alignment value is honored.

Formal definition

Initial valuenormal
Applies toall elements
Inheritedno
Computed valueas specified
Animation typediscrete

Formal syntax

normal | stretch | <baseline-position> | [ <overflow-position>? <self-position> ]

where
<baseline-position> = [ first | last ]? baseline
<overflow-position> = unsafe | safe
<self-position> = center | start | end | self-start | self-end | flex-start | flex-end

Examples

CSS

#container {
  height:200px;
  width: 240px;
  align-items: center; /* Can be changed in the live sample */
  background-color: #8c8c8c;
}

.flex {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

.grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, 50px);
}

div > div {
  box-sizing: border-box;
  border: 2px solid #8c8c8c;
  width: 50px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
}

#item1 {
  background-color: #8cffa0;
  min-height: 30px;
}

#item2 {
  background-color: #a0c8ff;
  min-height: 50px;
}

#item3 {
  background-color: #ffa08c;
  min-height: 40px;
}

#item4 {
  background-color: #ffff8c;
  min-height: 60px;
}

#item5 {
  background-color: #ff8cff;
  min-height: 70px;
}

#item6 {
  background-color: #8cffff;
  min-height: 50px;
  font-size: 30px;
}

select {
  font-size: 16px;
}

.row {
  margin-top: 10px;
}

HTML

<div id="container" class="flex">
  <div id="item1">1</div>
  <div id="item2">2</div>
  <div id="item3">3</div>
  <div id="item4">4</div>
  <div id="item5">5</div>
  <div id="item6">6</div>
</div>

<div class="row">
  <label for="display">display: </label>
  <select id="display">
    <option value="flex">flex</option>
    <option value="grid">grid</option>
  </select>
</div>

<div class="row">
  <label for="values">align-items: </label>
  <select id="values">
    <option value="normal">normal</option>
    <option value="flex-start">flex-start</option>
    <option value="flex-end">flex-end</option>
    <option value="center" selected>center</option>
    <option value="baseline">baseline</option>
    <option value="stretch">stretch</option>

    <option value="start">start</option>
    <option value="end">end</option>
    <option value="self-start">self-start</option>
    <option value="self-end">self-end</option>
    <option value="left">left</option>
    <option value="right">right</option>

    <option value="first baseline">first baseline</option>
    <option value="last baseline">last baseline</option>

    <option value="safe center">safe center</option>
    <option value="unsafe center">unsafe center</option>
    <option value="safe right">safe right</option>
    <option value="unsafe right">unsafe right</option>
    <option value="safe end">safe end</option>
    <option value="unsafe end">unsafe end</option>
    <option value="safe self-end">safe self-end</option>
    <option value="unsafe self-end">unsafe self-end</option>
    <option value="safe flex-end">safe flex-end</option>
    <option value="unsafe flex-end">unsafe flex-end</option>
  </select>
</div>

Result

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Box Alignment Module Level 3
The definition of 'align-items' in that specification.
Working Draft Update to latest syntax definitions.
CSS Flexible Box Layout Module
The definition of 'align-items' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation Initial definition

Browser compatibility

Support in Flex layout

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
Supported in Flex LayoutChrome Full support 52
Full support 52
Partial support 29
Notes
Notes Older versions of the specification treat absolute positioned children as though they are a 0 by 0 flex item. Later specification versions take the children out of the flow and set their positions based on align and justify properties. Chrome implements the new behavior beginning with Chrome 52.
Full support 21
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Edge Full support 12
Full support 12
Full support 12
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Firefox Full support 20
Notes
Full support 20
Notes
Notes Multi-line flexbox has been supported since Firefox 28.
Full support 49
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
No support 18 — 20
Disabled
Disabled From version 18 until version 20 (exclusive): this feature is behind the layout.css.flexbox.enabled preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
Full support 48
Prefixed Disabled
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Disabled From version 48: this feature is behind the layout.css.prefixes.webkit preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
IE Full support 11
Notes
Full support 11
Notes
Notes In Internet Explorer 10 and 11, if column flex items have align-items: center; set on them and their content is too large, then they will overflow the bounds of their container. See Flexbug #2.
Opera Full support 12.1Safari Full support 9
Full support 9
Full support 7
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
WebView Android Full support 52
Full support 52
Partial support 4.4
Notes
Notes Older versions of the specification treat absolute positioned children as though they are a 0 by 0 flex item. Later specification versions take the children out of the flow and set their positions based on align and justify properties. Chrome implements the new behavior beginning with Chrome 52.
Full support ≤37
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Chrome Android Full support 52
Full support 52
Partial support 29
Notes
Notes Older versions of the specification treat absolute positioned children as though they are a 0 by 0 flex item. Later specification versions take the children out of the flow and set their positions based on align and justify properties. Chrome implements the new behavior beginning with Chrome 52.
Full support 25
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Firefox Android Full support 20
Notes
Full support 20
Notes
Notes Multi-line flexbox has been supported since Firefox 28.
Full support 49
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
No support 18 — 20
Disabled
Disabled From version 18 until version 20 (exclusive): this feature is behind the layout.css.flexbox.enabled preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
Full support 48
Prefixed Disabled
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Disabled From version 48: this feature is behind the layout.css.prefixes.webkit preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
Opera Android Full support 12.1Safari iOS Full support 9
Full support 9
Full support 7
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Samsung Internet Android Full support 6.0
Full support 6.0
Partial support 2.0
Notes
Notes Older versions of the specification treat absolute positioned children as though they are a 0 by 0 flex item. Later specification versions take the children out of the flow and set their positions based on align and justify properties. Chrome implements the new behavior beginning with Samsung Internet 6.0.
Full support 1.5
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
first baseline and last baselineChrome Full support 59Edge Full support 79Firefox Full support 45IE No support NoOpera Full support 46Safari Full support 11WebView Android Full support 59Chrome Android Full support 59Firefox Android Full support 45Opera Android Full support 43Safari iOS Full support 11Samsung Internet Android Full support 7.0
left and rightChrome No support NoEdge No support NoFirefox Full support 45IE No support NoOpera No support NoSafari Full support 9WebView Android No support NoChrome Android No support NoFirefox Android Full support 45Opera Android No support NoSafari iOS Full support 9Samsung Internet Android No support No
safe and unsafeChrome No support No
Notes
No support No
Notes
Notes This value is recognized, but has no effect.
Edge No support No
Notes
No support No
Notes
Notes This value is recognized, but has no effect.
Firefox Full support 63IE No support NoOpera No support No
Notes
No support No
Notes
Notes This value is recognized, but has no effect.
Safari No support No
Notes
No support No
Notes
Notes This value is recognized, but has no effect.
WebView Android No support No
Notes
No support No
Notes
Notes This value is recognized, but has no effect.
Chrome Android No support No
Notes
No support No
Notes
Notes This value is recognized, but has no effect.
Firefox Android Full support 63Opera Android No support No
Notes
No support No
Notes
Notes This value is recognized, but has no effect.
Safari iOS No support No
Notes
No support No
Notes
Notes This value is recognized, but has no effect.
Samsung Internet Android No support No
Notes
No support No
Notes
Notes This value is recognized, but has no effect.
start and endChrome No support NoEdge No support NoFirefox Full support 45IE No support NoOpera Full support 44Safari No support NoWebView Android No support NoChrome Android No support NoFirefox Android Full support 45Opera Android Full support 43Safari iOS No support NoSamsung Internet Android No support No

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.
User must explicitly enable this feature.
User must explicitly enable this feature.
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.

Support in Grid layout

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
Supported in Grid LayoutChrome Full support 57Edge Full support 16Firefox Full support 52IE No support NoOpera Full support 44Safari Full support 10.1WebView Android Full support 57Chrome Android Full support 52Firefox Android Full support 52Opera Android Full support 43Safari iOS Full support 10.3Samsung Internet Android Full support 6.2
start and endChrome Full support 57Edge Full support 79Firefox Full support 52IE No support NoOpera Full support 44Safari Full support 11WebView Android Full support 57Chrome Android Full support 57Firefox Android Full support 52Opera Android Full support 43Safari iOS Full support 11Samsung Internet Android Full support 7.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support

See also