text-align

The text-align CSS property describes how inline content like text is aligned in its parent block element. text-align does not control the alignment of block elements, only their inline content.

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Syntax

/* Keyword values */
text-align: left;
text-align: right;
text-align: center;
text-align: justify;
text-align: justify-all;
text-align: start;
text-align: end;
text-align: match-parent;

/* Block alignment values (Non-standard syntax) */
text-align: -moz-center;
text-align: -webkit-center;

/* Global values */
text-align: inherit;
text-align: initial;
text-align: unset;

The text-align property is specified as a single keyword chosen from the list of values below.

Values

start

The same as left if direction is left-to-right and right if direction is right-to-left.

end

The same as right if direction is left-to-right and left if direction is right-to-left.

left

The inline contents are aligned to the left edge of the line box.

right

The inline contents are aligned to the right edge of the line box.

center

The inline contents are centered within the line box.

justify

The 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

Same as justify, but also forces the last line to be justified.

match-parent

Similar 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.

Formal syntax

start | end | left | right | center | justify | match-parent

Examples

Left 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: left;
  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

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

Notes

The standard-compatible way to center a block itself without centering its inline content is setting the left and right margin to auto, e.g.:

.something {
  margin: auto;
}

.something {
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.something {
  margin-left: auto;
  margin-right: auto;
}

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

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• margin:auto, margin-left:auto, vertical-align