Mastering CSS inset-block for Responsive Layouts

The inset-block CSS Property

The inset-block CSS property sets the logical block start and end offsets of an element. It makes layouts more flexible and responsive by adjusting elements based on logical directions rather than physical ones. This is great for different languages and writing systems.

Syntax

The inset-block property can take various values, including lengths, percentages, and keywords. Here’s the syntax:

/* <length> values */
inset-block: 3px 10px;
inset-block: 2.4em 3em;
inset-block: 10px; /* value applied to start and end */

/* <percentage> values */
inset-block: 10% 5%;

/* Keyword value */
inset-block: auto;

/* Global values */
inset-block: inherit;
inset-block: initial;
inset-block: revert;
inset-block: revert-layer;
inset-block: unset;

Values

• Lengths: Use units like px, em, etc.
• Percentages: Set as a percentage of the container’s logical height.
• Keywords:
  • auto: Browser determines the value.
  • inherit: Inherits from the parent element.
  • initial: Sets to default value.
  • revert: Reverts to user agent’s default.
  • revert-layer: Reverts to previous layer’s default.
  • unset: Unsets the value.

Formal Definition

• Initial value: auto for both inset-block-start and inset-block-end.
• Applies to: Positioned elements.
• Inherited: No.
• Percentages: Logical height of the containing block.
• Computed value: Same as box offsets but logical.
• Animation type: A length, percentage, or calc().

Examples

Example: Basic Usage

HTML:

<div>
  <p class="exampleText">Example text</p>
</div>

CSS:

div {
  background-color: yellow;
  width: 120px;
  height: 120px;
}

.exampleText {
  writing-mode: vertical-lr; /* Vertical text from left to right */
  position: relative;
  inset-block: 20px 50px; /* 20px from the block start, 50px from the block end */
  background-color: #c8c800;
}

Example: Using Percentages

HTML:

<div>
  <p class="exampleText">Example text</p>
</div>

CSS:

div {
  background-color: yellow;
  width: 120px;
  height: 120px;
}

.exampleText {
  writing-mode: vertical-lr; /* Vertical text from left to right */
  position: relative;
  inset-block: 10% 20%; /* 10% from the block start, 20% from the block end */
  background-color: #c8c800;
}

Example: Using Auto and Anchor

HTML:

<div>
  <p class="exampleText">Example text</p>
</div>

CSS:

div {
  background-color: yellow;
  width: 120px;
  height: 120px;
}

.exampleText {
  writing-mode: vertical-lr; /* Vertical text from left to right */
  position: relative;
  inset-block: auto anchor(start 10px); /* Auto for block start, anchor for block end */
  background-color: #c8c800;
}

Example Combining Related Properties

HTML:

<div>
  <p class="exampleText">Example text</p>
</div>

CSS:

div {
  background-color: yellow;
  width: 120px;
  height: 120px;
}

.exampleText {
  writing-mode: vertical-lr; /* Vertical text from left to right */
  position: relative;
  inset-block: 20px 50px; /* 20px from the block start, 50px from the block end */
  inset-inline: 10px 30px; /* 10px from the inline start, 30px from the inline end */
  background-color: #c8c800;
}

Browser Compatibility

The inset-block property is widely supported:

• Firefox: 63+
• Google Chrome: 87+
• Microsoft Edge: 87+
• Opera: 73+
• Safari: 14.1+

Check the MDN Web Docs Browser Compatibility Table for detailed information.

Related Properties

• top, right, bottom, left: Define physical offsets.
• inset: Shorthand for top, right, bottom, left.
• inset-inline: Defines logical inline start and end offsets.
• writing-mode, direction, text-orientation: Define text direction and orientation.

Conclusion

The inset-block property, along with related properties, helps web developers create flexible and responsive layouts. By using these properties, you can ensure your web designs are user-friendly and optimized for different languages and writing systems.

See Also

To learn more about the inset-block property and related CSS features, check out these resources:

Related CSS Properties

1. top, right, bottom, left
   • These properties define the physical offsets of an element relative to its containing block.
2. inset
   • The inset property is a shorthand for setting the top, right, bottom, and left properties all at once.
3. inset-inline
   • The inset-inline property defines the logical inline start and end offsets of an element.
4. writing-mode, direction, text-orientation
   • These properties define the writing mode, text direction, and text orientation of an element.

Learning Resources

1. MDN Web Docs - CSS Logical Properties and Values
   • This guide covers logical properties and values in CSS with detailed explanations and examples.
2. CSS Tricks - Logical Properties
   • CSS Tricks offers practical examples and tips for using logical properties.
3. W3C CSS Logical Properties and Values Specification
   • The official specification provides authoritative details on CSS logical properties and values.

Tutorials and Courses

1. FreeCodeCamp - CSS Certification
   • FreeCodeCamp offers a free certification course in responsive web design.
2. Codecademy - Learn CSS
   • Codecademy provides an interactive course on CSS, including modules on logical properties.
3. Udemy - Advanced CSS and Sass
   • This advanced course covers advanced CSS techniques, including logical properties.

By exploring these resources, you can deepen your understanding of the inset-block property and related CSS features, helping you create more sophisticated and adaptable web layouts. Happy coding!