CSS align-items Property
Defines the default behavior for how flex items are aligned along the cross axis
Syntax
align-items: stretch | flex-start | flex-end | center | baseline;Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| stretch | Items stretch to fill the container (default) |
| flex-start | Items aligned to the cross start |
| flex-end | Items aligned to the cross end |
| center | Items centered on the cross axis |
| baseline | Items aligned along their baselines |
Example
.centered-row {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 12px;
}Understanding CSS align-items
The CSS align-items property defines the default behavior for how flex items are aligned along the cross axis. As part of the Flexbox module in CSS, it is one of the most commonly used properties for controlling the visual presentation of web pages.
You can set align-items to values such as stretch, flex-start, flex-end, center, among others. Each value changes how the browser renders the affected element, giving you fine-grained control over your page layout and design. Choosing the right value depends on the specific design requirements of your project.
Common use cases for the align-items property include responsive web design, component-based layouts, and creating visually consistent interfaces across devices. It works closely with related properties like justify-content, align-self, align-content to achieve complex styling effects. Understanding how these properties interact helps you write cleaner, more maintainable stylesheets.
Browser support for align-items is excellent across all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For older browsers, consider using fallback values or progressive enhancement strategies. The property can also be set dynamically via JavaScript using element.style.alignItems or the CSS custom properties (variables) approach for theming.
Related Properties
justify-contentDefines how the browser distributes space between and around flex items along the main axis
align-selfOverrides the align-items value for a specific flex item
align-contentDistributes space between and around content items along the cross axis of a flex container
place-itemsShorthand for align-items and justify-items
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