height

The height CSS property specifies the height of the content area of an element. The content area is inside the padding, border, and margin of the element.

/* Keyword value */
height: auto;
/* <length> values */
height: 120px;
height: 10em;
/* <percentage> value */
height: 75%;
/* Global values */
height: inherit;
height: initial;
height: unset;

The min-height and max-height properties override height.

Initial valueauto
Applies toall elements but non-replaced inline elements, table columns, and column groups
Inheritedno
PercentagesThe percentage is calculated with respect to the height of the generated box's containing block. If the height of the containing block is not specified explicitly (i.e., it depends on content height), and this element is not absolutely positioned, the value computes to auto. A percentage height on the root element is relative to the initial containing block.
Mediavisual
Computed valuea percentage or auto or the absolute length
Animation typea length, percentage or calc();
Canonical orderthe unique non-ambiguous order defined by the formal grammar

Syntax

Values

<length>
See <length> for possible units.
<percentage>
Specified as a <percentage> of containing block's height.
border-box 
If present, the preceding <length> or <percentage> is applied to the element's border box.
content-box 
If present, the preceding <length> or <percentage> is applied to the element's content box.
auto
The browser will calculate and select a height for the specified element.
fill
Use the fill-available inline size or fill-available block size, as appropriate to the writing mode.
max-content 
The intrinsic preferred height.
min-content 
The intrinsic minimum height.
available 
The containing block height minus vertical margin, border and padding.
fit-content 
The larger of:
  • the intrinsic minimum height
  • the smaller of the intrinsic preferred height and the available height

Formal syntax

[ <length> | <percentage> ] && [ border-box | content-box ]? | available | min-content | max-content | fit-content | auto

Example

HTML

<div id="red">
  <span>I'm 50 pixels tall.</span>
</div>
<div id="green">
  <span>I'm 25 pixels tall.</span>
</div>
<div id="parent">
  <div id="child">
    <span>I'm half the height of my parent.</span>
  </div>
</div>

CSS

div {
  width: 250px;
  margin-bottom: 5px;
  border: 3px solid #999999;
}
#red {
  height: 50px;
}
#green {
  height: 25px;
}
#parent {
  height: 100px;
}
#child {
  height: 50%;
  width: 75%;
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Basic Box Model
The definition of 'height' in that specification.
Working Draft Added the max-content, min-content, available, fit-content, border-box, content-box keywords.
CSS Transitions
The definition of 'height' in that specification.
Working Draft Lists height as animatable.
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1)
The definition of 'height' in that specification.
Recommendation Adds support for the <length> values and precises on which element it applies to.
CSS Level 1
The definition of 'height' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition
CSS Intrinsic & Extrinsic Sizing Module Level 3
The definition of 'width' in that specification.
Working Draft Adds new sizing keywords for width and height.

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Edge Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support 1.0 (Yes) 1.0 (1.7 or earlier) 4.0 7.0 1.0
fill, fit-content, min-content, max-content 46.0 ?        
Feature Android Android Webview Edge Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Phone Opera Mobile Safari Mobile Chrome for Android
Basic support 1.0 (Yes) (Yes) 1.0 (1) 6.0 6.0 1.0 (Yes)
fill, fit-content, min-content, max-content ? 46.0 ?         46.0

See also