CSS align-self Property
Overrides the align-items value for a specific flex item
Syntax
align-self: auto | flex-start | flex-end | center | baseline | stretch;Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| auto | Follows the parent's align-items (default) |
| flex-start | Aligned to the cross start |
| flex-end | Aligned to the cross end |
| center | Centered on the cross axis |
| stretch | Stretches to fill the cross axis |
Example
.special-item {
align-self: flex-end;
}Understanding CSS align-self
The CSS align-self property overrides the align-items value for a specific flex item. 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-self to values such as auto, 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-self property include responsive web design, component-based layouts, and creating visually consistent interfaces across devices. It works closely with related properties like align-items, justify-self, place-self to achieve complex styling effects. Understanding how these properties interact helps you write cleaner, more maintainable stylesheets.
Browser support for align-self 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.alignSelf or the CSS custom properties (variables) approach for theming.
Related Properties
align-itemsDefines the default behavior for how flex items are aligned along the cross axis
justify-selfAligns a grid item inside its cell along the inline axis
place-selfShorthand for align-self and justify-self on a single item
orderControls the order in which flex or grid items appear in their container
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