Definition and Usage
The margin-top property sets the top margin of an element.
Note: Negative values are allowed.
| Default value: | 0 |
|---|---|
| Inherited: | no |
| Animatable: | yes, see individual properties. Read about animatable – Try it |
| Version: | CSS1 |
| JavaScript syntax: | object.style.marginTop=”100px” Try it |
CSS Syntax
margin-top: length|auto|initial|inherit;
Property Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| length | Specifies a fixed top margin in px, pt, cm, etc. Default value is 0px |
| % | Specifies a top margin in percent of the width of the containing element |
| auto | The browser calculates a top margin |
| initial | Sets this property to its default value. Read about initial |
| inherit | Inherits this property from its parent element. Read about inherit |
Margin Collapse
Top and bottom margins of elements are sometimes collapsed into a single margin that is equal to the largest of the two margins.
This does not happen on horizontal margins (left and right)! Only vertical margins (top and bottom)!
Look at the following example:
In the example above, the <h1> element has a bottom margin of 30px. The <p> element has a top margin set to 20px.
Common sense would seem to suggest that the vertical margin between the <h1> and the <p> would be a total of 50px (30px + 20px). But due to margin collapse, the actual margin ends up being 30px.
