Expectation vs. Reality of CSS Float Behavior
In CSS, the float property is commonly used to align elements horizontally. However, there can be unexpected behaviors when using it alongside other elements.
The Issue
The following example illustrates a common misunderstanding:
<code class="html"><div class="inline">
first line<br>
second line<br>
third line<br>
</div>
<div class="yellow">floated div</div></code>
<code class="css">.inline {
float:left;
}
.yellow {
background-color:yellow;
}</code>
In this example, you might expect the second div (with the yellow background) to align to the right of the first div. However, as seen in the live example, it still occupies the entire width of its container.
Understanding the Behavior
This behavior is actually the intended result of float positioning. When an element is floated, subsequent content flows down the right side of that element. However, the width of the containing block (set by the following element) is still reserved.
As per the CSS specification, block-level elements (such as div and p) that are not positioned disregard the float. Line boxes, on the other hand, flow along the float's side, but their width is shortened.
The Solution
To achieve the expected result, where the second div aligns correctly, you can add an overflow property with a value other than visible to the second div. This prevents it from overlapping the floated element, as specified in the CSS level 2.1 spec.
Example
<code class="css">.yellow {
overflow: hidden;
}</code>
With this addition, the second div will no longer extend beyond the floated element, creating the desired alignment.
Overlapping's Purpose
Overlapping is useful in situations where the subsequent content is long enough to continue beyond the floated element. If overlapping were restricted by default, the content would not continue under the floated element, creating unexpected results.
The above is the detailed content of Why Doesn\'t My Floated Element Align Correctly?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
Hot AI Tools
Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free
Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos
AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.
Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover
Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!
Hot Article
Hot Tools
Notepad++7.3.1
Easy-to-use and free code editor
SublimeText3 Chinese version
Chinese version, very easy to use
Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment
Dreamweaver CS6
Visual web development tools
SublimeText3 Mac version
God-level code editing software (SublimeText3)
Hot Topics
What is 'render-blocking CSS'?
Jun 24, 2025 am 12:42 AM
CSS blocks page rendering because browsers view inline and external CSS as key resources by default, especially with imported stylesheets, header large amounts of inline CSS, and unoptimized media query styles. 1. Extract critical CSS and embed it into HTML; 2. Delay loading non-critical CSS through JavaScript; 3. Use media attributes to optimize loading such as print styles; 4. Compress and merge CSS to reduce requests. It is recommended to use tools to extract key CSS, combine rel="preload" asynchronous loading, and use media delayed loading reasonably to avoid excessive splitting and complex script control.
External vs. Internal CSS: What's the Best Approach?
Jun 20, 2025 am 12:45 AM
ThebestapproachforCSSdependsontheproject'sspecificneeds.Forlargerprojects,externalCSSisbetterduetomaintainabilityandreusability;forsmallerprojectsorsingle-pageapplications,internalCSSmightbemoresuitable.It'scrucialtobalanceprojectsize,performanceneed
Does my CSS must be on lower case?
Jun 19, 2025 am 12:29 AM
No,CSSdoesnothavetobeinlowercase.However,usinglowercaseisrecommendedfor:1)Consistencyandreadability,2)Avoidingerrorsinrelatedtechnologies,3)Potentialperformancebenefits,and4)Improvedcollaborationwithinteams.
CSS Case Sensitivity: Understanding What Matters
Jun 20, 2025 am 12:09 AM
CSSismostlycase-insensitive,butURLsandfontfamilynamesarecase-sensitive.1)Propertiesandvalueslikecolor:red;arenotcase-sensitive.2)URLsmustmatchtheserver'scase,e.g.,/images/Logo.png.3)Fontfamilynameslike'OpenSans'mustbeexact.
What is Autoprefixer and how does it work?
Jul 02, 2025 am 01:15 AM
Autoprefixer is a tool that automatically adds vendor prefixes to CSS attributes based on the target browser scope. 1. It solves the problem of manually maintaining prefixes with errors; 2. Work through the PostCSS plug-in form, parse CSS, analyze attributes that need to be prefixed, and generate code according to configuration; 3. The usage steps include installing plug-ins, setting browserslist, and enabling them in the build process; 4. Notes include not manually adding prefixes, keeping configuration updates, prefixes not all attributes, and it is recommended to use them with the preprocessor.
What are CSS counters?
Jun 19, 2025 am 12:34 AM
CSScounterscanautomaticallynumbersectionsandlists.1)Usecounter-resettoinitialize,counter-incrementtoincrease,andcounter()orcounters()todisplayvalues.2)CombinewithJavaScriptfordynamiccontenttoensureaccurateupdates.
CSS: When Does Case Matter (and When Doesn't)?
Jun 19, 2025 am 12:27 AM
In CSS, selector and attribute names are case-sensitive, while values, named colors, URLs, and custom attributes are case-sensitive. 1. The selector and attribute names are case-insensitive, such as background-color and background-Color are the same. 2. The hexadecimal color in the value is case-sensitive, but the named color is case-sensitive, such as red and Red is invalid. 3. URLs are case sensitive and may cause file loading problems. 4. Custom properties (variables) are case sensitive, and you need to pay attention to the consistency of case when using them.
What is the conic-gradient() function?
Jul 01, 2025 am 01:16 AM
Theconic-gradient()functioninCSScreatescirculargradientsthatrotatecolorstopsaroundacentralpoint.1.Itisidealforpiecharts,progressindicators,colorwheels,anddecorativebackgrounds.2.Itworksbydefiningcolorstopsatspecificangles,optionallystartingfromadefin
