top

The top CSS property participates in specifying the vertical position of a positioned element. It has no effect on non-positioned elements.

The effect of top depends on how the element is positioned (i.e., the value of the position property):

• When position is set to absolute or fixed, the top property specifies the distance between the element's top edge and the top edge of its containing block. (Containing block needs to have property position: relative)
• When position is set to relative, the top property specifies the distance the element's top edge is moved below its normal position.
• When position is set to sticky, the top property behaves like its position is relative when the element is inside the viewport, and like its position is fixed when it is outside.
• When position is set to static, the top property has no effect.

When both top and bottom are specified, and height is unspecified or either auto or 100%, both the top and bottom distances are respected. In all other situations, if height is constrained in any way, the top property takes precedence and the bottom property is ignored.

Syntax

/* <length> values */
top: 3px;
top: 2.4em;

/* <percentage>s of the height of the containing block */
top: 10%;

/* Keyword value */
top: auto;

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

Values

<length>

A negative, null, or positive <length> that represents:

• for absolutely positioned elements, the distance to the top edge of the containing block.
• for relatively positioned elements, the distance that the element is moved below its normal position.

<percentage>

A <percentage> of the containing block's height.

auto

Specifies that:

• for absolutely positioned elements, the position of the element is based on the bottom property, while height: auto is treated as a height based on the content; or if bottom is also auto, the element is positioned where it should vertically be positioned if it were a static element.
• for relatively positioned elements, the distance of the element from its normal position is based on the bottom property; or if bottom is also auto, the element is not moved vertically at all.

inherit

Specifies that the value is the same as the computed value from its parent element (which might not be its containing block). This computed value is then handled as if it were a <length>, <percentage>, or the auto keyword.

Formal syntax

<length> | <percentage> | auto

Example

body {
  background: beige;
}

div {
  position: absolute;
  top: 10%;
  right: 40%;
  bottom: 20%;
  left: 15%;
  background: gold;
  border: 1px solid blue;
}

<div>The size of this content is determined by the position of its edges.</div>

Specifications

Browser compatibilityUpdate compatibility data on GitHub

See also

• position, bottom, left, right