top
===

The **`top`** CSS property sets the vertical position of a positioned element. It does not effect non-positioned elements.

Try it
------

The effect of `top` depends on how the element is positioned (i.e., the value of the `position` property):

* When `position` is set to `absolute` or `fixed`, the `top` property specifies the distance between the element's outer margin of top edge and the inner border of the top edge of its containing block.
* When `position` is set to `relative`, the `top` property specifies the distance the element's top edge is moved below its normal position.
* When `position` is set to `sticky`, the `top` property is used to compute the sticky-constraint rectangle.
* When `position` is set to `static`, the `top` property has *no effect*.

When both `top` and `bottom` values are specified, there are three different cases:

* If `position` is set to `absolute` or `fixed` and `height` is unspecified (either `auto` or `100%`), both the `top` and `bottom` values are respected.
* If `position` is set to `relative` or `height` is constrained, the `top` property takes precedence and the `bottom` property is ignored.
* If `position` is set to `sticky`, both `top` and `bottom` values are considered. This means that a sticky element can potentially move up and down within its containing block based on the values of these two properties as long as the element's position box remains contained within its containing block.
Syntax
------


```css
/\* <length> values \*/
top: 3px;
top: 2.4em;

/\* <percentage>s of the height of the containing block \*/
top: 10%;

/\* Keyword value \*/
top: auto;

/\* Global values \*/
top: inherit;
top: initial;
top: revert;
top: revert-layer;
top: unset;
```

### Values

`<length>`

A negative, null, or positive `<length>` that represents:

* for *absolutely positioned elements*, the distance to the top edge of the containing block.
* for *relatively positioned elements*, the distance that the element is moved below its normal position.

`<percentage>`

A `<percentage>` of the containing block's height.

`auto`

Specifies that:

* for *absolutely positioned elements*, the position of the element is based on the `bottom` property, while `height: auto` is treated as a height based on the content; or if `bottom` is also `auto`, the element is positioned where it should vertically be positioned if it were a static element.
* for *relatively positioned elements*, the distance of the element from its normal position is based on the `bottom` property; or if `bottom` is also `auto`, the element is not moved vertically at all.

`inherit`

Specifies that the value is the same as the computed value from its parent element (which might not be its containing block). This computed value is then handled as if it were a `<length>`, `<percentage>`, or the `auto` keyword.

Formal definition
-----------------

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Initial value | `auto` |
| Applies to | positioned elements |
| Inherited | no |
| Percentages | refer to the height of the containing block |
| Computed value | if specified as a length, the corresponding absolute length; if specified as a percentage, the specified value; otherwise, `auto` |
| Animation type | a length, percentage or calc(); |

Formal syntax
-------------
```

top =   
  auto                 |  
  <length-percentage>    
  
<length-percentage> =   
  <length>      |  
  <percentage>    
  
```

Examples
--------

### A positioned element set 10% from the top


```css
body {
  background: beige;
}

div {
  position: absolute;
  top: 10%;
  right: 40%;
  bottom: 20%;
  left: 15%;
  background: gold;
  border: 1px solid blue;
}
```



```html
<div>The size of this content is determined by the position of its edges.</div>
```

Specifications
--------------

| Specification |
| --- |
| CSS Positioned Layout Module Level 3 # insets |

Browser compatibility
---------------------

BCD tables only load in the browser with JavaScript enabled. Enable JavaScript to view data.

See also
--------

* `inset`, the shorthand for all related properties: `top`, `bottom`, `left`, and `right`
* The mapped logical properties: `inset-block-start`, `inset-block-end`, `inset-inline-start`, and `inset-inline-end` and the shorthands `inset-block` and `inset-inline`
* `position`