resize

The resize CSS property sets whether an element is resizable, and if so, in which directions.

The source for this interactive example is stored in a GitHub repository. If you'd like to contribute to the interactive examples project, please clone https://github.com/mdn/interactive-examples and send us a pull request.

Syntax

/* Keyword values */
resize: none;
resize: both;
resize: horizontal;
resize: vertical;
resize: block;
resize: inline;

/* Global values */
resize: inherit;
resize: initial;
resize: unset;  

The resize property is specified as a single keyword value from the list below.

Values

none

The element offers no user-controllable method for resizing it.

both

The element displays a mechanism for allowing the user to resize it, which may be resized both horizontally and vertically.

horizontal

The element displays a mechanism for allowing the user to resize it in the horizontal direction.

vertical

The element displays a mechanism for allowing the user to resize it in the vertical direction.

block

The element displays a mechanism for allowing the user to resize it in the block direction (either horizontally or vertically, depending on the writing-mode and direction value).

inline

The element displays a mechanism for allowing the user to resize it in the inline direction (either horizontally or vertically, depending on the writing-mode and direction value).

resize does not apply to the following:

• Inline elements
• Block elements for which the overflow property is set to visible

Formal definition

Formal syntax

none | both | horizontal | vertical | block | inline

Examples

Disabling resizability of textareas

In many browsers, <textarea> elements are resizable by default. You may override this behavior with the resize property.

HTML

<textarea>Type some text here.</textarea>

CSS

textarea {
  resize: none; /* Disables resizability */
}  

Result

Using resize with arbitrary elements

You can use the resize property to make any element resizable. In the example below, a resizable <div> contains a resizable paragraph (<p> element).

HTML

<div class="resizable">
  <p class="resizable">
    This paragraph is resizable in all directions, because
    the CSS `resize` property is set to `both` on this element.
  </p>
</div>

CSS

.resizable {
  resize: both;
  overflow: scroll;
  border: 1px solid black;
}

div {
  height: 300px;
  width: 300px;
}

p {
  height: 200px;
  width: 200px;
}  

Result

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• <textarea>