CSS clear Property
Specifies whether an element can be next to floating elements or must be moved below them
Syntax
clear: none | left | right | both | inline-start | inline-end;Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| none | Element is not moved down |
| left | Moved below left floats |
| right | Moved below right floats |
| both | Moved below all floats |
Example
.clearfix::after {
content: "";
display: table;
clear: both;
}Understanding CSS clear
The CSS clear property specifies whether an element can be next to floating elements or must be moved below them. As part of the Layout module in CSS, it is one of the most commonly used properties for controlling the visual presentation of web pages.
You can set clear to values such as none, left, right, both, 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 clear property include responsive web design, component-based layouts, and creating visually consistent interfaces across devices. It works closely with related properties like float, display, overflow to achieve complex styling effects. Understanding how these properties interact helps you write cleaner, more maintainable stylesheets.
Browser support for clear 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.clear or the CSS custom properties (variables) approach for theming.
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