CSS3 Tutorial

CSS3 References

CSS3 2D Transforms

CSS3 Transforms

With CSS3 transform, we can move, scale, turn, spin, and stretch elements.

How Does it Work?

A transform is an effect that lets an element change shape, size and position.

You can transform your elements using 2D or 3D transformation.

Browser Support

Internet Explorer 10, Firefox, and Opera support the transform property.

Chrome and Safari requires the prefix -webkit-.

Note: Internet Explorer 9 requires the prefix -ms-.

2D Transforms

In this chapter you will learn about the 2d transform methods:

• translate()
• rotate()
• scale()
• skew()
• matrix()

You will learn about 3D transforms in the next chapter.

Example

div
{
transform: rotate(30deg);
-ms-transform: rotate(30deg); /* IE 9 */
-webkit-transform: rotate(30deg); /* Safari and Chrome */
}

Try it yourself »

The translate() Method

With the translate() method, the element moves from its current position, depending on the parameters given for the left (X-axis) and the top (Y-axis) position:

Example

div
{
transform: translate(50px,100px);
-ms-transform: translate(50px,100px); /* IE 9 */
-webkit-transform: translate(50px,100px); /* Safari and Chrome */
}

Try it yourself »

The value translate(50px,100px) moves the element 50 pixels from the left, and 100 pixels from the top.

The rotate() Method

With the rotate() method, the element rotates clockwise at a given degree. Negative values are allowed and rotates the element counter-clockwise.

Example

div
{
transform: rotate(30deg);
-ms-transform: rotate(30deg); /* IE 9 */
-webkit-transform: rotate(30deg); /* Safari and Chrome */
}

Try it yourself »

The value rotate(30deg) rotates the element clockwise 30 degrees.

The scale() Method

With the scale() method, the element increases or decreases the size, depending on the parameters given for the width (X-axis) and the height (Y-axis):

Example

div
{
transform: scale(2,4);
-ms-transform: scale(2,4); /* IE 9 */
-webkit-transform: scale(2,4); /* Safari and Chrome */
}

Try it yourself »

The value scale(2,4) transforms the width to be twice its original size, and the height 4 times its original size.

The skew() Method

With the skew() method, the element turns in a given angle, depending on the parameters given for the horizontal (X-axis) and the vertical (Y-axis) lines:

Example

div
{
transform: skew(30deg,20deg);
-ms-transform: skew(30deg,20deg); /* IE 9 */
-webkit-transform: skew(30deg,20deg); /* Safari and Chrome */
}

Try it yourself »

The value skew(30deg,20deg) turns the element 30 degrees around the X-axis, and 20 degrees around the Y-axis.

The matrix() Method

The matrix() method combines all of the 2D transform methods into one.

The matrix method take six parameters, containing mathematic functions, which allows you to: rotate, scale, move (translate), and skew elements.

Example

How to rotate a div element 30 degrees, using the matrix method:

div
{
transform:matrix(0.866,0.5,-0.5,0.866,0,0);
-ms-transform:matrix(0.866,0.5,-0.5,0.866,0,0); /* IE 9 */
-webkit-transform:matrix(0.866,0.5,-0.5,0.866,0,0); /* Safari and Chrome */
}

Try it yourself »

New Transform Properties

The following table lists all the transform properties:

2D Transform Methods