# scale()

The `scale()` CSS function defines a transformation that resizes an element on the 2D plane. Because the amount of scaling is defined by a vector, it can resize the horizontal and vertical dimensions at different scales. Its result is a `<transform-function>` data type.

This scaling transformation is characterized by a two-dimensional vector. Its coordinates define how much scaling is done in each direction. If both coordinates are equal, the scaling is uniform (isotropic) and the aspect ratio of the element is preserved (this is a homothetic transformation).

When a coordinate value is outside the [-1, 1] range, the element grows along that dimension; when inside, it shrinks. If it is negative, the result a point reflection in that dimension. A value of 1 has no effect.

Note: The `scale()` function only scales in 2D. To scale in 3D, use `scale3d()` instead.

## Syntax

The `scale()` function is specified with either one or two values, which represent the amount of scaling to be applied in each direction.

```scale(sx)

scale(sx, sy)
```

### Values

`sx`
A `<number>` representing the abscissa of the scaling vector.
`sy`
A `<number>` representing the ordinate of the scaling vector. If not defined, its default value is `sx`, resulting in a uniform scaling that preserves the element's aspect ratio.
Cartesian coordinates on ℝ2 Homogeneous coordinates on ℝℙ2 Cartesian coordinates on ℝ3 Homogeneous coordinates on ℝℙ3
$\left(\begin{array}{cc}sx& 0\\ 0& sy\end{array}\right)$ $\left(\begin{array}{cc}sx0& 0\\ 0sy& 0\\ 0& 0& 1\end{array}\right)$ $\left(\begin{array}{cc}sx0& 0\\ 0sy& 0\\ 0& 0& 1\end{array}\right)$ $\left(\begin{array}{ccc}sx0& 0& 0\\ 0& sy& 0& 0\\ 0& 0& 1& 0\\ 0& 0& 0& 1\end{array}\right)$
`[sx 0 0 sy 0 0]`

## Accessibility concerns

Scaling/zooming animations are problematic for accessibility, as they are a common trigger for certain types of migraine. If you need to include such animations on your website, you should provide a control to allow users to turn off animations, preferrably site-wide.

Also, consider making use of the `prefers-reduced-motion` media feature — use it to write a media query that will turn off animations if the user has reduced animation specified in their system preferences.

Find out more:

## Examples

### Scaling the X and Y dimensions together

#### HTML

```<div>Normal</div>
<div class="scaled">Scaled</div>```

#### CSS

```div {
width: 80px;
height: 80px;
background-color: skyblue;
}

.scaled {
transform: scale(0.7); /* Equal to scaleX(0.7) scaleY(0.7) */
background-color: pink;
}
```

### Scaling X and Y dimensions separately, and translating the origin

#### HTML

```<div>Normal</div>
<div class="scaled">Scaled</div>```

#### CSS

```div {
width: 80px;
height: 80px;
background-color: skyblue;
}

.scaled {
transform: scale(2, 0.5); /* Equal to scaleX(2) scaleY(0.5) */
transform-origin: left;
background-color: pink;
}
```

## Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Transforms Level 1
The definition of 'scale()' in that specification.
Working Draft Initial definition

## Browser compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub
Desktop Mobile Chrome Edge Firefox Internet Explorer Opera Safari Android webview Chrome for Android Firefox for Android Opera for Android Chrome Full support 1 Edge Full support 12 Firefox Full support 3.5Notes Full support 3.5Notes Notes Firefox 14 removed experimental support for `skew()`, but it was reintroduced in Firefox 15.Notes Before Firefox 16, the translation values of `matrix()` and `matrix3d()` could be ``s, in addition to the standard ``. IE Full support 9Notes Full support 9Notes Notes Internet Explorer 9 supports 2D but not 3D transforms. In version 9, mixing 2D and 3D transform functions invalidates the entire property. Opera Full support 10.5 Safari Full support 3.1 WebView Android Full support 2 Chrome Android Full support 18 Firefox Android Full support 4 Opera Android Full support 11 Safari iOS Full support 3.2 Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0 Chrome Full support 12 Edge Full support 12 Firefox Full support 10 IE Full support 10 Opera Full support 15 Safari Full support 4 WebView Android Full support 3 Chrome Android Full support 18 Firefox Android Full support 10 Opera Android Full support 14 Safari iOS Full support 3.2 Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

### Legend

Full support
Full support
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.