box-direction CSS property

Non-standard: This feature is not standardized. We do not recommend using non-standard features in production, as they have limited browser support, and may change or be removed. However, they can be a suitable alternative in specific cases where no standard option exists.

Deprecated: This feature is no longer recommended. Though some browsers might still support it, it may have already been removed from the relevant web standards, may be in the process of being dropped, or may only be kept for compatibility purposes. Avoid using it, and update existing code if possible; see the compatibility table at the bottom of this page to guide your decision. Be aware that this feature may cease to work at any time.

Warning: This is a property of the original CSS flexible box layout Module draft, and has been replaced by a newer standard. The -moz-box-direction will only be used for XUL while the previous standard box-direction has been replaced by flex-direction. See flexbox for information about the current standard.

The box-direction CSS property specifies whether a box lays out its contents normally (from the top or left edge), or in reverse (from the bottom or right edge).

Syntax

css
/* Keyword values */
box-direction: normal;
box-direction: reverse;

/* Global values */
box-direction: inherit;
box-direction: initial;
box-direction: revert;
box-direction: revert-layer;
box-direction: unset;

The box-direction property is specified as one of the keyword values listed below.

Values

normal

The box lays out its contents from the start (the left or top edge).

reverse

The box lays out its contents from the end (the right or bottom edge).

Notes

The edge of the box designated the start for layout purposes depends on the box's orientation:

  • For horizontal elements, the start is the top edge.
  • For vertical elements, the start is the left edge.

The edge opposite to the start is designated the end.

If the direction is set using the element's dir attribute, then the style is ignored.

Formal definition

Initial valuenormal
Applies toelements with a CSS display value of box or inline-box
Inheritedno
Computed valueas specified
Animation typediscrete

Formal syntax

box-direction = 
normal |
reverse

Examples

Setting box direction

css
.example {
  /* bottom-to-top layout */
  -moz-box-direction: reverse; /* Mozilla */
  -webkit-box-direction: reverse; /* WebKit */
  box-direction: reverse; /* As specified */
}

Specifications

Not part of any standard.

Browser compatibility

desktop mobile
Chrome
Edge
Firefox
Opera
Safari
Chrome Android
Firefox for Android
Opera Android
Safari on iOS
Samsung Internet
WebView Android
WebView on iOS
box-direction
Deprecated Non-standard
Chrome – Full support
Chrome 1 (Release date: 2008-12-11)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Edge – Full support
Edge 12 (Release date: 2015-07-29)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Firefox – Full support
Firefox 1 (Release date: 2004-11-09)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -moz-
Firefox – Full support
Firefox 49 (Release date: 2016-09-20)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Opera – Full support
Opera 15 (Release date: 2013-07-02)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Safari – No support
Safari 1.1 – 2 (Release date: 2003-10-24)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -khtml-
Safari – Full support
Safari 3 (Release date: 2007-10-26)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Chrome Android – Full support
Chrome Android 18 (Release date: 2012-06-27)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Firefox for Android – Full support
Firefox for Android 4 (Release date: 2011-03-29)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -moz-
Firefox for Android – Full support
Firefox for Android 49 (Release date: 2016-09-20)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Opera Android – Full support
Opera Android 14 (Release date: 2013-05-21)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Safari on iOS – Full support
Safari on iOS 1 (Release date: 2007-06-29)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Samsung Internet – Full support
Samsung Internet 1 (Release date: 2013-04-27)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
WebView Android – Full support
WebView Android 4.4 (Release date: 2013-12-09)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
WebView on iOS – Full support
WebView on iOS 1 (Release date: 2007-06-29)
prefix
prefix Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-

Legend

Tip: you can click/tap on a cell for more information.

Full support
Full support
Non-standard. Check cross-browser support before using.
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.
Has more compatibility info.

See also