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

transform: translate(0);

transform: translate(42px, 18px);

transform: translate(-2.1rem, -2ex);

transform: translate(3ch, 3mm);

<section id="default-example">
  <img
    class="transition-all"
    id="static-element"
    src="/shared-assets/images/examples/firefox-logo.svg"
    width="200" />
  <img
    class="transition-all"
    id="example-element"
    src="/shared-assets/images/examples/firefox-logo.svg"
    width="200" />
</section>

#static-element {
  opacity: 0.4;
  position: absolute;
}

#example-element {
  position: absolute;
}

This transformation is characterized by a two-dimensional vector [tx, ty]. 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 or representing the abscissa (horizontal, x-component) of the translating vector [tx, 0]. The ordinate (vertical, y-component) 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 property.

  Double <length-percentage> values

  • : This value describes two or values representing both the abscissa (horizontal, x-component) and the ordinate (vertical, y-component) of the translating vector [tx, ty]. A percentage as first value refers to the width, as second part to the height of the reference box defined by the property.

Formal syntax

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 {
  /* Equal to: translateX(10px) or translate(10px, 0) */
  transform: translate(10px);
  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