anchor()

The anchor() function's syntax is as follows:

anchor( , )

The parameters are:

Optional

The anchor-name property value of an anchor element you want to position the element's side relative to. This is a value. If omitted, the element's default anchor, referenced in its position-anchor property, or associated with the element via the anchor HTML attribute, is used.

Note: Specifying an inside an anchor() function does not associate an element with an anchor; it only positions the element relative to that anchor. The position-anchor CSS property or the anchor HTML attribute is still needed to create the association.

Specifies the side of the anchor, or the relative distance from the start side, which the element is positioned relative to. If a physical or logical value is used that is not compatible with the inset property on which anchor() is set, the fallback value is used. Valid values include:

top

The top of the anchor element.

right

The right of the anchor element.

bottom

The bottom of the anchor element.

left

The left of the anchor element

start

The logical start of the anchor element's containing block along the axis of the inset property on which the anchor() function is set.

end

The logical end of the anchor element's containing block along the axis of the inset property on which the anchor() function is set.

self-start

The logical start of the anchor element's content along the axis of the inset property on which the anchor() function is set.

self-end

The logical end of the anchor element's content along the axis of the inset property on which the anchor() function is set.

center

The center of the axis of the inset property on which the anchor() function is set.

Specifies the distance, as a percentage, from the start of the element's content along the axis of the inset property on which the anchor() function is set.

The CSS anchor positioning module specifies two additional values, inside and outside, which have not yet been implemented.

Optional

Specifies a fallback value the function should resolve to if the anchor() function would otherwise not be valid.

Returns a value.

The anchor() function enables positioning an element relative to the edges of an anchor element. It is only valid within inset property values set on absolute or fixed position elements.

It returns a value specifying the distance between the anchor-positioned element side specified by the inset value, and the side of the anchor element specified by the chosen value. As it returns a , it can be used within other CSS functions that accept length values, including calc(), clamp(), etc.

If no anchor with the name specified by the exists, or if the positioned element does not have an anchor associated with it (i.e., via the position-anchor property), the first parameter is considered invalid and the fallback value is used if one is available. For example, if top: anchor(bottom, 50px) were specified on the positioned element but no anchor was associated with it, the fallback value would be used, so top would get a computed value of 50px.

For detailed information on anchor features and usage, see the CSS anchor positioning module landing page and the Using CSS anchor positioning guide.

The CSS inset properties that accept an anchor() function as a value component include:

• top
• left
• bottom
• right
• inset shorthand
• inset-block-start
• inset-block-end
• inset-block shorthand
• inset-inline-start
• inset-inline-end
• inset-inline shorthand

When using an anchor() function inside an inset property value, the parameter specified inside the anchor() function has to be compatible with the axis on which the inset property resides.

This means that physical values can be used within the values of physical inset properties if the property has the same axis direction as the . In other words, the top and bottom sides are not valid within the left and right property values, and the left and right sides are not valid within top and bottom property values. For example, top: anchor(bottom) is fine, as they are both vertical values but top: anchor(left) is not valid, as left is a horizontal value. If top: anchor(left, 50px) were specified, the fallback value would be used, so top would get a computed value of 50px. If no fallback is present, the inset property behaves as if it were set to auto.

You can use logical values within both logical and physical inset properties as logical values are relative to the inset property's relevant axis, whether the property is logical or relative. For example, top: anchor(start), top: anchor(self-end), inset-block-start: anchor(end) and inset-inline-end: anchor(self-start) all work fine.

The story gets more complicated when using physical parameters within logical inset property values as the physical side has to match the axis the inset property is relevant to within the current writing mode. For example:

• In a horizontal writing mode, the block direction is top-to-bottom, therefore inset-block-end: anchor(bottom) will work but inset-block-end: anchor(left) is incompatible. If inset-block-end: anchor(left, 50px) were set, the computed value would be 50px, and the positioned element would be positioned 50px from the block end (bottom) of its nearest positioned ancestor or the viewport, depending on the position value set.
• In a vertical writing mode, the block direction is right-to-left or left-to-right, therefore inset-block-end: anchor(left) will work, but inset-block-end: anchor(top) is incompatible. If inset-block-end: anchor(top, 50px) were set, the computed value would be 50px, and the positioned element would be positioned 50px from the block end (left or right depending on the writing mode) of its nearest positioned ancestor or the viewport, depending on the position value set.

To mitigate the potential for confusion with these values, you are advised to use logical inset properties with logical values, and physical inset properties with physical values. You should favor the use of logical values whenever possible because they are better for internationalization.

The center and values are valid within the anchor() function within all logical and physical inset properties.

The below table lists the inset properties, and the parameter values that are compatible with them. We have only listed the longhand inset properties; these comprise the shorthand inset property values.

When the anchor() function refers to a side of the default anchor, you can include a margin to create spacing between the edges of the anchor and positioned element as needed. Alternatively, you can include the anchor() function within a calc() function to add spacing.

This example positions the right edge of the positioned element flush to the anchor element's left edge then adds margin to make some space between the edges:

.positionedElement {
  right: anchor(left);
  margin-left: 10px;
}

This example positions the positioned element's logical block end edge 10px from the anchor element's logical block start edge:

.positionedElement {
  inset-block-end: calc(anchor(start) + 10px);
}

You can position an element relative to multiple anchors by specifying different values inside the anchor() function of different inset properties on the same element (see Element positioned relative to multiple anchors below). This can be used to create useful functionality such as drag handles at the corners of a positioned element that can be used to resize it.

While a positioned element can be positioned relative to more than one anchor element, it is only ever associated with the single anchor defined via its position-anchor property (or the anchor HTML attribute). This is the anchor the element will scroll with when the page scrolls; it can also be used to control when the element is conditionally hidden.

 = 
  anchor( ?                  &&
   , ? )  

 = 
    

 = 
  inside        |
  outside       |
  top           |
  left          |
  right         |
  bottom        |
  start         |
  end           |
  self-start    |
  self-end      |
    |
  center        

 = 
        |
    

In this example, the anchor() function is used to set the height of an anchor-positioned element to the height of its anchor by setting the bottom and top edges to the bottom and top edges of the anchor. The anchor() function within a calc() function is then used to offset the anchor-positioned element from its anchor.

HTML

We include a

⚓︎

This is a positioned element.

.anchor {
  anchor-name: --infobox;
  background: palegoldenrod;
  font-size: 3em;
  width: fit-content;
  border: 1px solid goldenrod;
}

.positionedElement {
  position: absolute;
  position-anchor: --infobox;
  margin: 0;
  top: anchor(top);
  left: calc(anchor(right) + 10px);
  bottom: anchor(bottom);
  background-color: olive;
  border: 1px solid darkolivegreen;
}

This example shows an element positioned relative to an anchor via its top and left properties, which are defined using anchor() functions. It also includes two drop-down menus that allow you to vary the values inside those anchor() functions, so you can see what effect they have.

HTML

We specify two

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

⚓︎


  
This is an information box.

  Nisi quis eleifend quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus. In arcu
  cursus euismod quis viverra nibh cras pulvinar. Vulputate ut pharetra sit amet
  aliquam.



  Malesuada nunc vel risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan lacus. Vel elit
  scelerisque mauris pellentesque pulvinar pellentesque habitant morbi
  tristique. Porta lorem mollis aliquam ut porttitor. Turpis cursus in hac
  habitasse platea dictumst quisque. Dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit.
  Ornare lectus sit amet est placerat. Nulla aliquet porttitor lacus luctus
  accumsan.



  

    
      Choose a vertical anchor() value:
    
    
      top: anchor(top)
      top: anchor(bottom)
      top: anchor(start)
      top: anchor(end)
      top: anchor(center)
      top: anchor(0%)
      top: anchor(25%)
      top: anchor(50%)
      top: anchor(75%)
      top: anchor(100%)
    
  
  

    
      Choose a horizontal anchor() value:
    
    
      left: anchor(left)
      left: anchor(right)
      left: anchor(self-start)
      left: anchor(self-end)
      left: anchor(center)
      left: anchor(0%)
      left: anchor(25%)
      left: anchor(50%)
      left: anchor(75%)
      left: anchor(100%)
    
  

.anchor {
  font-size: 2rem;
  color: white;
  text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px black;
  background-color: hsl(240 100% 75%);
  width: 100px;
  height: 100px;
  text-align: center;
  line-height: 100px;
  border-radius: 10px;
  border: 1px solid black;
  padding: 3px;
}

body {
  width: 80%;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

form {
  background: white;
  border: 1px solid black;
  padding: 5px;
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  right: 2px;
}

select {
  display: block;
  margin-top: 5px;
}

form div:last-child {
  margin-top: 10px;
}

.infobox {
  color: darkblue;
  background-color: azure;
  border: 1px solid #ddd;
  padding: 10px;
  border-radius: 10px;
  font-size: 1rem;
}

.anchor {
  anchor-name: --myAnchor;
}

.infobox {
  position: fixed;
  position-anchor: --myAnchor;
  top: anchor(--myAnchor bottom);
  left: anchor(right);
}

const infobox = document.querySelector(".infobox");
const topSelect = document.querySelector("#top-anchor-side");
const leftSelect = document.querySelector("#left-anchor-side");

topSelect.addEventListener("change", (e) => {
  const anchorSide = e.target.value;
  infobox.style.top = `anchor(--myAnchor ${anchorSide})`;
});

leftSelect.addEventListener("change", (e) => {
  const anchorSide = e.target.value;
  infobox.style.left = `anchor(${anchorSide})`;
});

This example positions an element relative to two different anchors, which are used to set the position of the top-left and bottom-right corners of the anchor-positioned element. The anchors can be moved via keyboard controls or dragged, resizing the positioned element.

⚓︎1

⚓︎2


  
This is an information box.

body {
  width: 150vw;
  height: 150vh;
}

.anchor {
  font-size: 1rem;
  color: white;
  text-shadow: 1px 1px 1px black;
  background-color: hsl(240 100% 75%);
  width: fit-content;
  border-radius: 10px;
  border: 1px solid black;
  padding: 3px;
  &:focus {
    background-color: hsl(60 100% 75%);
  }
}

.infobox {
  color: darkblue;
  background-color: azure;
  border: 1px solid #ddd;
  padding: 10px;
  border-radius: 10px;
  font-size: 1rem;
}

.anchor {
  position: absolute;
}

#anchor1 {
  anchor-name: --myAnchor1;
  top: 50px;
  left: 100px;
}

#anchor2 {
  anchor-name: --myAnchor2;
  top: 200px;
  left: 350px;
}

.infobox {
  position-anchor: --myAnchor1;
  position: fixed;
  top: anchor(--myAnchor1 100%);
  left: anchor(--myAnchor1 100%);
  bottom: anchor(--myAnchor2 0%);
  right: anchor(--myAnchor2 0%);
}

// grab all the anchors and make each one draggable
const anchors = document.querySelectorAll(".anchor");
anchors.forEach((anchor) => makeDraggable(anchor));

function makeDraggable(elem) {
  let pos1, pos2, pos3, pos4;

  elem.onmousedown = dragMouseDown;
  elem.addEventListener("keyup", (e) => {
    switch (e.key) {
      case "d":
        elem.style.left = `${elem.offsetLeft + 5}px`;
        break;
      case "a":
        elem.style.left = `${elem.offsetLeft - 5}px`;
        break;
      case "w":
        elem.style.top = `${elem.offsetTop - 5}px`;
        break;
      case "s":
        elem.style.top = `${elem.offsetTop + 5}px`;
        break;
    }
    e.preventDefault();
  });

  function elementMove(e) {
    console.dir(e);
    // calculate the new cursor position:
    pos1 = pos3 - e.offsetLeft;
    pos2 = pos4 - e.offsetTop;
    pos3 = e.offsetLeft;
    pos4 = e.offsetTop;
    // set the element's new position:
    elem.style.top = `${elem.offsetTop - pos2}px`;
    elem.style.left = `${elem.offsetLeft - pos1}px`;
  }

  function dragMouseDown(e) {
    // get the mouse cursor position at startup:
    pos3 = e.clientX;
    pos4 = e.clientY;
    document.onmouseup = closeDragElement;
    // call a function whenever the mouse moves:
    document.onmousemove = elementDrag;
  }

  function elementDrag(e) {
    // calculate the new cursor position:
    pos1 = pos3 - e.clientX;
    pos2 = pos4 - e.clientY;
    pos3 = e.clientX;
    pos4 = e.clientY;
    // set the element's new position:
    elem.style.top = `${elem.offsetTop - pos2}px`;
    elem.style.left = `${elem.offsetLeft - pos1}px`;
  }

  function closeDragElement() {
    // stop moving when mouse button is released:
    document.onmouseup = null;
    document.onmousemove = null;
  }
}