The text-align CSS property sets the horizontal alignment of the inline-level content inside a block element or table-cell box. This means it works like vertical-align but in the horizontal direction. /* Keyword values */
text-align: start;
text-align: end;
text-align: left;
text-align: right;
text-align: center;
text-align: justify;
text-align: justify-all;
text-align: match-parent;
/* Character-based alignment in a table column */
text-align: ".";
text-align: "." center;
/* Block alignment values (Non-standard syntax) */
text-align: -moz-center;
text-align: -webkit-center;
/* Global values */
text-align: inherit;
text-align: initial;
text-align: revert;
text-align: revert-layer;
text-align: unset;
The text-align property is specified in one of the following ways:Try it
Syntax
Values
start
The same as left if direction is left-to-right and right if direction is right-to-left.
endThe same as right if direction is left-to-right and left if direction is right-to-left.
leftThe inline contents are aligned to the left edge of the line box.
rightThe inline contents are aligned to the right edge of the line box.
centerThe inline contents are centered within the line box.
justifyThe inline contents are justified. Text should be spaced to line up its left and right edges to the left and right edges of the line box, except for the last line.
justify-all ExperimentalSame as justify, but also forces the last line to be justified.
match-parentSimilar to inherit, but the values start and end are calculated according to the parent's direction and are replaced by the appropriate left or right value.
<string> ExperimentalWhen applied to a table cell, specifies the alignment character around which the cell's contents will align.
Accessibility concerns
The inconsistent spacing between words created by justified text can be problematic for people with cognitive concerns such as Dyslexia.
- MDN Understanding WCAG, Guideline 1.4 explanations
- Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.8 | Understanding WCAG 2.0
Formal definition
Formal syntax
text-align =
start |
end |
left |
right |
center |
justify |
match-parent |
justify-all
Examples
Start alignment
HTML
<p class="example"> Integer elementum massa at nulla placerat varius. Suspendisse in libero risus, in interdum massa. Vestibulum ac leo vitae metus faucibus gravida ac in neque. Nullam est eros, suscipit sed dictum quis, accumsan a ligula. </p>
CSS
.example { text-align: start; border: solid; }
Result
Centered text
HTML
<p class="example"> Integer elementum massa at nulla placerat varius. Suspendisse in libero risus, in interdum massa. Vestibulum ac leo vitae metus faucibus gravida ac in neque. Nullam est eros, suscipit sed dictum quis, accumsan a ligula. </p>
CSS
.example { text-align: center; border: solid; }
Result
Example using "justify"
HTML
<p class="example"> Integer elementum massa at nulla placerat varius. Suspendisse in libero risus, in interdum massa. Vestibulum ac leo vitae metus faucibus gravida ac in neque. Nullam est eros, suscipit sed dictum quis, accumsan a ligula. </p>
CSS
.example { text-align: justify; border: solid; }
Result
Specifications
CSS Logical Properties and Values Level 1 # text-align |
CSS Text Module Level 3 # text-align-property |
Browser compatibility
BCD tables only load in the browser