translate()

The translate() CSS function repositions an element in the horizontal and/or vertical directions. Its result is a <transform-function> data type.

This transformation is characterized by a two-dimensional vector. Its coordinates define how much the element moves in each direction.

Syntax

/* Single <length-percentage> values */
transform: translate(200px);
transform: translate(50%);

/* Double <length-percentage> values */
transform: translate(100px, 200px);
transform: translate(100px, 50%);
transform: translate(30%, 200px);
transform: translate(30%, 50%);

Values

Single <length-percentage> values

This value is a <length> or <percentage> representing the abscissa (horizontal, x-coordinate) of the translating vector. The ordinate (vertical, y-coordinate) of the translating vector will be set to 0. For example, translate(2px) is equivalent to translate(2px, 0). A percentage value refers to the width of the reference box defined by the transform-box property.

Double <length-percentage> values

This value describes two <length> or <percentage> values representing both the abscissa (x-coordinate) and the ordinate (y-coordinate) of the translating vector. A percentage as first value refers to the width, as second part to the height of the reference box defined by the transform-box property.

Formal syntax

translate(<length-percentage> , <length-percentage>?)

Examples

Using a single-axis translation

HTML

<div>Static</div>
<div class="moved">Moved</div>
<div>Static</div>

CSS

div {
  width: 60px;
  height: 60px;
  background-color: skyblue;
}

.moved {
  transform: translate(10px); /* Equal to: translateX(10px) or translate(10px, 0) */
  background-color: pink;
}

Result

Combining y-axis and x-axis translation

HTML

<div>Static</div>
<div class="moved">Moved</div>
<div>Static</div>

CSS

div {
  width: 60px;
  height: 60px;
  background-color: skyblue;
}

.moved {
  transform: translate(10px, 10px);
  background-color: pink;
}

Result

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• transform
• <transform-function>