1. Layout
  2. position

Layout

position

Utilities for controlling how an element is positioned in the document.

ClassStyles
static
position: static;
fixed
position: fixed;
absolute
position: absolute;
relative
position: relative;
sticky
position: sticky;

Examples

Statically positioning elements

Use the static utility to position an element according to the normal flow of the document:

Static parent

Absolute child

<div class="static ...">  <p>Static parent</p>  <div class="absolute bottom-0 left-0 ...">    <p>Absolute child</p>  </div></div>

With statically positioned elements, any offsets will be ignored and the element will not act as a position reference for absolutely positioned children.

Relatively positioning elements

Use the relative utility to position an element according to the normal flow of the document:

Relative parent

Absolute child

<div class="relative ...">  <p>Relative parent</p>  <div class="absolute bottom-0 left-0 ...">    <p>Absolute child</p>  </div></div>

With relatively position elements, any offsets are calculated relative to the element's normal position and the element will act as a position reference for absolutely positioned children.

Absolutely positioning elements

Use the absolute utility to position an element outside of the normal flow of the document, causing neighboring elements to act as if the element doesn't exist:

With static positioning

Relative parent

Static parent

Static child?

Static sibling

With absolute positioning

Relative parent

Static parent

Absolute child

Static sibling

<div class="static ...">  <!-- Static parent -->  <div class="static ..."><p>Static child</p></div>  <div class="inline-block ..."><p>Static sibling</p></div>  <!-- Static parent -->  <div class="absolute ..."><p>Absolute child</p></div>  <div class="inline-block ..."><p>Static sibling</p></div></div>

With absolutely positioned elements, any offsets are calculated relative to the nearest parent that has a position other than static, and the element will act as a position reference for other absolutely positioned children.

Fixed positioning elements

Use the fixed utility to position an element relative to the browser window:

Scroll this element to see the fixed positioning in action

Contacts
Andrew Alfred
Debra Houston
Jane White
Ray Flint
Mindy Albrect
David Arnold
<div class="relative">  <div class="fixed top-0 right-0 left-0">Contacts</div>  <div>    <div>      <img src="/img/andrew.jpg" />      <strong>Andrew Alfred</strong>    </div>    <div>      <img src="/img/debra.jpg" />      <strong>Debra Houston</strong>    </div>    <!-- ... -->  </div></div>

With fixed positioned elements, any offsets are calculated relative to the viewport and the element will act as a position reference for absolutely positioned children:

Sticky positioning elements

Use the sticky utility to position an element as relative until it crosses a specified threshold, then treat it as fixed until its parent is off screen:

Scroll this element to see the sticky positioning in action

A
Andrew Alfred
Aisha Houston
Anna White
Andy Flint
B
Bob Alfred
Bianca Houston
Brianna White
Bert Flint
C
Colton Alfred
Cynthia Houston
Cheyenne White
Charlie Flint
<div>  <div>    <div class="sticky top-0 ...">A</div>    <div>      <div>        <img src="/img/andrew.jpg" />        <strong>Andrew Alfred</strong>      </div>      <div>        <img src="/img/aisha.jpg" />        <strong>Aisha Houston</strong>      </div>      <!-- ... -->    </div>  </div>  <div>    <div class="sticky top-0">B</div>    <div>      <div>        <img src="/img/bob.jpg" />        <strong>Bob Alfred</strong>      </div>      <!-- ... -->    </div>  </div>  <!-- ... --></div>

With sticky positioned elements, any offsets are calculated relative to the element's normal position and the element will act as a position reference for absolutely positioned children.

Responsive design

Prefix a position utility with a breakpoint variant like md: to only apply the utility at medium screen sizes and above:

<div class="relative md:absolute ...">  <!-- ... --></div>

Learn more about using variants in the variants documentation.

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