CSS resize Property
Sets whether an element is resizable and in which directions
Syntax
resize: none | both | horizontal | vertical | block | inline;Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| none | Not resizable (default for most elements) |
| both | Resizable in both directions |
| horizontal | Only horizontally resizable |
| vertical | Only vertically resizable |
Example
textarea {
resize: vertical;
min-height: 100px;
}Understanding CSS resize
The CSS resize property sets whether an element is resizable and in which directions. As part of the Misc module in CSS, it is one of the most commonly used properties for controlling the visual presentation of web pages.
You can set resize to values such as none, both, horizontal, vertical, 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 resize property include responsive web design, component-based layouts, and creating visually consistent interfaces across devices. It works closely with related properties like overflow, min-width, min-height to achieve complex styling effects. Understanding how these properties interact helps you write cleaner, more maintainable stylesheets.
Browser support for resize 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.resize or the CSS custom properties (variables) approach for theming.
Related Properties
overflowControls what happens to content that overflows an element's box
min-widthSets the minimum width of an element preventing it from becoming narrower
min-heightSets the minimum height of an element preventing it from becoming shorter
max-widthSets the maximum width of an element preventing it from becoming wider
max-heightSets the maximum height of an element preventing it from becoming taller
Explore More CSS Properties
Browse our complete reference of 251 CSS properties with syntax, examples, and tips.