calc()

This is an experimental technology
Because this technology's specification has not stabilized, check the compatibility table for usage in various browsers. Also note that the syntax and behavior of an experimental technology is subject to change in future versions of browsers as the specification changes.

The calc() CSS function can be used anywhere a <length>, <frequency>, <angle>, <time>, <number>, or <integer> is required. With calc(), you can perform calculations to determine CSS property values.

It is possible to nest calc() function, the internal ones being considered as simple parenthesis ().

Syntax

/* property: calc(expression) */
width: calc(100% - 80px);

Values

expression
A mathematical expression, the result of which is used as the value.

Expressions

The expression can be any simple expression combining the following operators, using standard operator precedence rules:

+
Addition.
-
Subtraction.
*
Multiplication. At least one of the arguments must be a <number>.
/
Division. The right-hand side must be a <number>.

The operands in the expression may be any length syntax value. You can use different units for each value in your expression, if you wish. You may also use parentheses to establish computation order when needed.

Note: Division by zero results in an error being generated by the HTML parser.
Note: The + and - operators must always be surrounded by whitespace. The operand of calc(50% -8px) for instance will be parsed as a percentage followed by a negative length, an invalid expression, while the operand of calc(50% - 8px) is a percentage followed by a minus sign and a length. Even further, calc(8px + -50%) is treated as a length followed by a plus sign and a negative percentage.
The * and / operators do not require whitespace, but adding it for consistency is allowed, and recommended.
Note: Math expressions involving percentages for widths and heights on table columns, table column groups, table rows, table row groups, and table cells in both auto and fixed layout tables MAY be treated as if auto had been specified.

Formal syntax

calc( <calc-sum> )

where
<calc-sum> = <calc-product> [ [ '+' | '-' ] <calc-product> ]*

where
<calc-product> = <calc-value> [ '*' <calc-value> | '/' <number> ]*

where
<calc-value> = <number> | <dimension> | <percentage> | ( <calc-sum> )

Examples

Positioning an object on screen with a margin

calc() makes it easy to position an object with a set margin. In this example, the CSS creates a banner that stretches across the window, with a 40-pixel gap between both sides of the banner and the edges of the window:

.banner {
  position: absolute;
  left: 5%;                 /* fallback for browsers without support for calc() */
  left: calc(40px);
  width: 90%;               /* fallback for browsers without support for calc() */
  width: calc(100% - 80px);
  border: solid black 1px;
  box-shadow: 1px 2px;
  background-color: yellow;
  padding: 6px;
  text-align: center;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}
<div class="banner">This is a banner!</div>

Automatically sizing form fields to fit their container

Another use case for calc() is to help ensure that form fields fit in the available space, without extruding past the edge of their container, while maintaining an appropriate margin.

Let's look at some CSS:

input {
  padding: 2px;
  display: block;
  width: 98%;               /* fallback for browsers without support for calc() */
  width: calc(100% - 1em);
}
#formbox {
  width: 130px;             /* fallback for browsers without support for calc() */
  width: calc(100% / 6);
  border: 1px solid black;
  padding: 4px;
}

Here, the form itself is established to use 1/6 of the available window width. Then, to ensure that input fields retain an appropriate size, we use calc() again to establish that they should be the width of their container minus 1em. Then, the following HTML makes use of this CSS:

<form>
  <div id="formbox">
  <label>Type something:</label>
  <input type="text">
  </div>
</form>

Nested calc() with CSS Variables

Consider the following code:

.foo {
  --widthA: 100px;
  --widthB: calc(var(--widthA) / 2);
  --widthC: calc(var(--widthB) / 2);
  width: var(--widthC);
}

After all variables are expanded, widthC's value will be calc( calc( 100px / 2) / 2), then when it's assigned to .foo's width property, all inner calc()s (no matter how deeply nested) will be flattened to just parentheses, so the width property's value will be eventually calc( ( 100px / 2) / 2), i.e. 25px. In short: a calc() inside of a calc() is identical to just parentheses.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Values and Units Module Level 3
The definition of 'calc()' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation Initial definition

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Edge Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari (WebKit)
Basic support 19 -webkit
26
(Yes) 4.0 (2) -moz
16 (16)[1]
9 ? 6 -webkit[2]
7
On gradients' color stops 19 -webkit
26
(Yes) 19 (19) 9 ? 6 -webkit[2]
7
nested calc() 51[3] ? 48 (48) ? ? ?
Support for <number> values ? ? 48 (48) ? ? ?
Feature Android Edge Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support ? (Yes) 4.0 (2) -moz
16.0 (16)[1]
? ? 6 -webkit
7
On gradients' color stops ? (Yes) 19.0 (19) ? ? ?
nested calc() 51[3] ? 48 (48) ? ? ?
Support for <number> values ? ? 48 (48) ? ? ?

[1] Support for the non-standard prefixed version -moz-calc() was removed in Gecko 53.0 (Firefox 53.0 / Thunderbird 53.0 / SeaMonkey 2.50).

[2] In WebKit 6.0 the implementation was incorrect.

[3] See Chromium bug 600113.

See also