transform

The transform CSS property lets you rotate, scale, skew, or translate an element. It modifies the coordinate space of the CSS visual formatting model.

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If the property has a value different than none, a stacking context will be created. In that case, the element will act as a containing block for any position: fixed; or position: absolute; elements that it contains.

Syntax

/* Keyword values */
transform: none;

/* Function values */
transform: matrix(1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0);
transform: matrix3d(1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1);
transform: perspective(17px);
transform: rotate(0.5turn);
transform: rotate3d(1, 2.0, 3.0, 10deg);
transform: rotateX(10deg);
transform: rotateY(10deg);
transform: rotateZ(10deg);
transform: translate(12px, 50%);
transform: translate3d(12px, 50%, 3em);
transform: translateX(2em);
transform: translateY(3in);
transform: translateZ(2px);
transform: scale(2, 0.5);
transform: scale3d(2.5, 1.2, 0.3);
transform: scaleX(2);
transform: scaleY(0.5);
transform: scaleZ(0.3);
transform: skew(30deg, 20deg);
transform: skewX(30deg);
transform: skewY(1.07rad);

/* Multiple function values */
transform: translateX(10px) rotate(10deg) translateY(5px);
transform: perspective(500px) translate(10px, 0, 20px) rotateY(3deg);

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

The transform property may be specified as either the keyword value none or as one or more <transform-function> values.

If perspective() is one of multiple function values, it must be listed first.

Values

<transform-function>

One or more of the CSS transform functions to be applied. The transform functions are multiplied in order from left to right, meaning that composite transforms are effectively applied in order from right to left.

none

Specifies that no transform should be applied.

Accessibility concerns

Scaling/zooming animations are problematic for accessibility, as they are a common trigger for certain types of migraine. If you need to include such animations on your website, you should provide a control to allow users to turn off animations, preferrably site-wide.

Also, consider making use of the prefers-reduced-motion media feature — use it to write a media query that will turn off animations if the user has reduced animation specified in their system preferences.

Find out more:

• MDN Understanding WCAG, Guideline 2.3 explanations
• Understanding Success Criterion 2.3.3 | W3C Understanding WCAG 2.1

Formal definition

Formal syntax

none | <transform-list>
where 
<transform-list> = <transform-function>+
where 
<transform-function> = <matrix()> | <translate()> | <translateX()> | <translateY()> | <scale()> | <scaleX()> | <scaleY()> | <rotate()> | <skew()> | <skewX()> | <skewY()> | <matrix3d()> | <translate3d()> | <translateZ()> | <scale3d()> | <scaleZ()> | <rotate3d()> | <rotateX()> | <rotateY()> | <rotateZ()> | <perspective()>
where 
<matrix()> = matrix( <number>#{6} )
<translate()> = translate( <length-percentage> , <length-percentage>? )
<translateX()> = translateX( <length-percentage> )
<translateY()> = translateY( <length-percentage> )
<scale()> = scale( <number> , <number>? )
<scaleX()> = scaleX( <number> )
<scaleY()> = scaleY( <number> )
<rotate()> = rotate( [ <angle> | <zero> ] )
<skew()> = skew( [ <angle> | <zero> ] , [ <angle> | <zero> ]? )
<skewX()> = skewX( [ <angle> | <zero> ] )
<skewY()> = skewY( [ <angle> | <zero> ] )
<matrix3d()> = matrix3d( <number>#{16} )
<translate3d()> = translate3d( <length-percentage> , <length-percentage> , <length> )
<translateZ()> = translateZ( <length> )
<scale3d()> = scale3d( <number> , <number> , <number> )
<scaleZ()> = scaleZ( <number> )
<rotate3d()> = rotate3d( <number> , <number> , <number> , [ <angle> | <zero> ] )
<rotateX()> = rotateX( [ <angle> | <zero> ] )
<rotateY()> = rotateY( [ <angle> | <zero> ] )
<rotateZ()> = rotateZ( [ <angle> | <zero> ] )
<perspective()> = perspective( <length> )
where 
<length-percentage> = <length> | <percentage>

Examples

Translating and rotating an element

HTML

<div>Transformed element</div>

CSS

div {
  border: solid red;
  transform: translate(30px, 20px) rotate(20deg);
  width: 140px;
  height: 60px;
}

Result

More examples

Please see Using CSS transforms and <transform-function> for more examples.

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• Using CSS transforms
• <transform-function> data type with all the transform functions explained.
• Online tool to visualize CSS Transform functions: CSS Transform Playground