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2D Transforms

Updated onbyAlan Morel
2D Transforms

Table of Contents

  1. 2D Transforms
  2. 2D Translate
  3. 2D Rotate
  4. 2D Scale
  5. 2D Skew
  6. Transform Origin
  7. Multiple Transforms
  8. Resources

2D Transforms

With the transform property, you can manipulate an element's angle, size, shape, position, and many others properties. The syntax for transform is simple, and looks like this:

CSS
transform: function(values);

You simply indicate the function you want to apply, pass in some values and let the browser do the work.

2D Translate

Perhaps the easiest function to demonstrate is the translate function.

Acting similar to using position: relative and giving it a left and top value, it moves the element horizontally and vertically. The units for translate is a length.

HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <title>Transform: Translate</title>
        <style>
            .box {
                height: 5rem;
                width: 5rem;
                background-color: darkgreen;
                transform: translate(10rem, 1rem);
            }
        </style>
    </head>
    <body>
        <div class="box"></div>
    </body>
</html>

Translating a box 10rems to the right, and 1rem down.Translating a box 10rems to the right, and 1rem down.

  • HTML
  • CSS
CSS
transform: translate(x, y);

The first value (x) defines how far to translate the element horizontally, and the second value (y) for how far to translate it vertically.

2D Rotate

You can rotate an element by using the rotate() function, and passing in a degree value.

Passing in a positive value will make it rotate clockwise and a negative one will make it rotate counter-clockwise.

HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <title>Transform: Rotate</title>
        <style>
            .box {
                height: 5rem;
                width: 5rem;
                margin: 5rem;
                background-color: purple;
                transform: rotate(45deg);
            }
        </style>
    </head>
    <body>
        <div class="box"></div>
    </body>
</html>

Rotating a box 45 degrees.Rotating a box 45 degrees.

  • HTML
  • CSS
CSS
transform: rotate(xdeg);

2D Scale

You can scale up and down the apparent size of an element using the scale function. The default value is1 where any smaller value makes the element appear smaller, and any value bigger makes the element appear larger.

HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <title>Transform: Scale</title>
        <style>
            .box {
                height: 5rem;
                width: 5rem;
                background-color: pink;
                transform: scale(0.75, 1.25);
                margin: 5rem;
            }
        </style>
    </head>
    <body>
        <div class="box"></div>
    </body>
</html>

Scaling a box.Scaling a box.

  • HTML
  • CSS
CSS
transform: scale(x, y)

Notice how two values were passed to scale? The first value is for the x and the second is for the y.

The width of the box was made to be 75% of the original width, and the height 125% of the original height.

2D Skew

Skewing an element lets you distort an element by adjusting the tilt on the horizontal and/or vertical axis. The value for the skew function is in degrees.

HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <title>Transform: Skew</title>
        <style>
            .box {
                height: 5rem;
                width: 5rem;
                background-color: red;
                transform: skew(5deg, 10deg);
                margin: 5rem;
            }
        </style>
    </head>
    <body>
        <div class="box"></div>
    </body>
</html>

Skewing a box 5 degrees in the X-axis and 10 degrees in the Y-axis.Skewing a box 5 degrees in the X-axis and 10 degrees in the Y-axis.

  • HTML
  • CSS
CSS
transform: scale(xdeg, ydeg)

Transform Origin

The origin of every transform you perform will be, by default, at the very center of the element. This means that the element will be rotated, scaled, and skewed around the center of the element.

That is why when you try, for example, to rotate a box, it will rotate about the very center. If you wanted to rotate it around one of its edges, well, you're in luck.

Using transform-origin, you can set the origin to wherever you want it to be. The default value is:

CSS
transform-origin: 50% 50%;

Multiple Transforms

In the event that one transform doesn't satisfy you, you can easily apply multiple at once by combining them. This is done by separating them with a space. The order of the transforms matter, so the order in which you apply them matters. The order of the transforms is important.

All you need to do is supply the transform property with your list of functions, and the browser will do the rest. Let's say you wanted to skew and scale a box:

HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <title>Multiple Transforms</title>
        <style>
            .box {
                height: 5rem;
                width: 5rem;
                margin: 5rem;
                background-color: darkred;
                transform: skew(5deg, 7deg) scale(1.25, 2);
            }
        </style>
    </head>
    <body>
        <div class="box"></div>
    </body>
</html>

Skewing and scaling a box at the same time.Skewing and scaling a box at the same time.

  • HTML
  • CSS

CSS transforms are a powerful way to manipulate the appearance of an element. Use them to create interesting effects, or just to make your page look a little better.

Resources

Next Lesson »
3D Transforms
Lesson #24
3D Transforms
Learn how to natively manipulate and distort the elements on your page in 3D using CSS 3D transforms.
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