Achieve full div coverage within parent container

Question

Achieve full div coverage within parent container

I am seeking assistance with positioning divs correctly within my HTML structure:

<div class="container">
    <div class="item">
        <div class="left">
            lorem lorem
        </div>
        <div class="right">
            <p>right</p>
            <p class="bottom">bottom</p>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

Accompanied with the following CSS:

.container {
    float: left;
    padding: 15px;
    width: 600px;
}
.item {
    float: left;
    padding: 15px;
    width: 570px;
}
.left {
    float: left;
    padding: 40px 20px;
    margin-right: 10px;
}
.right {
    position: relative;
    float: left;
}
.bottom {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 0;
}

Note that the width and height of the left div are variable.

The desired outcomes are:

Ensure the height of the right div matches the height of the left div.
Have the width of the right div fill the remaining space within the item div.
Position the paragraph with the class "bottom" at the bottom of the right div.

I have created a visual representation of my objective as depicted below:

Additionally, you can view a demonstration of the layout on JSFiddle.

html css layout css-float

Answer 1

Answer №1

Overcoming the challenge of positioning and determining the width of .bottom presents the primary obstacle in creating a cross-browser CSS solution.

Alternatives

1. Floats

By floating only the left column, flexible widths can be achieved as demonstrated by @joeellis. Applying overflow:hidden to the right column helps in this process.

However, achieving the correct position of .bottom proves difficult due to limitations with floated columns of equal but variable height. Placing the absolutely positioned .bottom element within the right column div with 100% width does not guarantee it will align at the bottom of the container if the right column's height is shorter than the left column.

2. HTML tables and CSS tables

Setting the left cell's width to 1px and leaving the right cell width unspecified can result in flexible widths for both cells that expand to fit the content. Any excess space will be added solely to the right cell.

Incorporating .bottom within the right table cell poses challenges, especially in Firefox. Relative positioning does not have the desired effect within a table cell in Firefox, making absolute positioning and 100% width problematic.

If .bottom is treated as a separate table cell within the right column, achieving correct heights for both cells becomes a challenge in browsers aside from Firefox, as table cells do not flex in height as they do in width.

3. CSS3 flexbox and CSS3 grids

Though promising, flexbox and grids face browser compatibility issues. Flexbox lacks support in IE9 and earlier, while grids currently only have full support in IE10. Testing is required to determine if either can successfully achieve the desired layout.

Summary

Floats do not provide a cross-browser solution.
HTML tables and CSS tables do not offer reliable cross-browser solutions.
Flexbox may not offer a solution for IE9 or earlier (and potentially other browsers).
Grids may be a potential solution for IE10 (and potentially other browsers).

Conclusion

At present, there seems to be no ideal CSS solution that is widely compatible across relevant browsers, except possibly flexbox (if support for IE9 and earlier is not a requirement).

jQuery

Below are two jQuery-modified demos that ensure both columns have the same height. The CSS and jQuery code are identical for both demos, with differences only in the amount of content in each column. These demos have been tested successfully in all major browsers. A similar approach could be implemented using plain JavaScript.

To simplify matters, the internal padding for the left and right div has been moved to a child element (.content).

Answer 2

Overcoming the challenge of positioning and determining the width of .bottom presents the primary obstacle in creating a cross-browser CSS solution.

Alternatives

1. Floats

By floating only the left column, flexible widths can be achieved as demonstrated by @joeellis. Applying overflow:hidden to the right column helps in this process.

However, achieving the correct position of .bottom proves difficult due to limitations with floated columns of equal but variable height. Placing the absolutely positioned .bottom element within the right column div with 100% width does not guarantee it will align at the bottom of the container if the right column's height is shorter than the left column.

2. HTML tables and CSS tables

Setting the left cell's width to 1px and leaving the right cell width unspecified can result in flexible widths for both cells that expand to fit the content. Any excess space will be added solely to the right cell.

Incorporating .bottom within the right table cell poses challenges, especially in Firefox. Relative positioning does not have the desired effect within a table cell in Firefox, making absolute positioning and 100% width problematic.

If .bottom is treated as a separate table cell within the right column, achieving correct heights for both cells becomes a challenge in browsers aside from Firefox, as table cells do not flex in height as they do in width.

3. CSS3 flexbox and CSS3 grids

Though promising, flexbox and grids face browser compatibility issues. Flexbox lacks support in IE9 and earlier, while grids currently only have full support in IE10. Testing is required to determine if either can successfully achieve the desired layout.

Summary

Floats do not provide a cross-browser solution.
HTML tables and CSS tables do not offer reliable cross-browser solutions.
Flexbox may not offer a solution for IE9 or earlier (and potentially other browsers).
Grids may be a potential solution for IE10 (and potentially other browsers).

Conclusion

At present, there seems to be no ideal CSS solution that is widely compatible across relevant browsers, except possibly flexbox (if support for IE9 and earlier is not a requirement).

jQuery

Below are two jQuery-modified demos that ensure both columns have the same height. The CSS and jQuery code are identical for both demos, with differences only in the amount of content in each column. These demos have been tested successfully in all major browsers. A similar approach could be implemented using plain JavaScript.

To simplify matters, the internal padding for the left and right div has been moved to a child element (.content).

Answer 3

Answer №2

To ensure sibling elements are of the same height and remain on the same row, you can achieve this by setting them to display as table-cell and the parent as display: table.
See it in action here: http://jsfiddle.net/SgubR/2/ (which also showcases the technique of using overflow: hidden alongside a floating element to create a column, requiring a clearfix).

In CSS, using table-cell allows you to use any HTML element (such as section, div, span, li, etc.) without directly using table, tr, and td elements typically used in table layouts (despite achieving a similar visual result).

display: table is applied to the parent element
display: table-row can be used on an intermediary element, but it's not always necessary
display: table-cell is set for each child element
Widths can be set for some or all of these "cells," and the browser will adjust based on content and specified widths to calculate their dimensions
table-layout: fixed instructs browsers to use a different table layout algorithm that prioritizes CSS-set widths over content quantity
vertical-align: top is often needed (other values can also be used for complex layouts)
Margins are not applied to "cells," only padding. Margins apply to the table itself. To separate "cells," use border-collapse: separate and/or border-spacing: 4px 6px

Compatibility: IE8+
Fallback for IE6/7 is the same as for inline-block if necessary

For more detailed explanations, refer to previous answers: here and there, including the traditional method of faux-columns (ideal for designs structured with this technique in mind).

Answer 4

To ensure sibling elements are of the same height and remain on the same row, you can achieve this by setting them to display as table-cell and the parent as display: table.
See it in action here: http://jsfiddle.net/SgubR/2/ (which also showcases the technique of using overflow: hidden alongside a floating element to create a column, requiring a clearfix).

In CSS, using table-cell allows you to use any HTML element (such as section, div, span, li, etc.) without directly using table, tr, and td elements typically used in table layouts (despite achieving a similar visual result).

display: table is applied to the parent element
display: table-row can be used on an intermediary element, but it's not always necessary
display: table-cell is set for each child element
Widths can be set for some or all of these "cells," and the browser will adjust based on content and specified widths to calculate their dimensions
table-layout: fixed instructs browsers to use a different table layout algorithm that prioritizes CSS-set widths over content quantity
vertical-align: top is often needed (other values can also be used for complex layouts)
Margins are not applied to "cells," only padding. Margins apply to the table itself. To separate "cells," use border-collapse: separate and/or border-spacing: 4px 6px

Compatibility: IE8+
Fallback for IE6/7 is the same as for inline-block if necessary

For more detailed explanations, refer to previous answers: here and there, including the traditional method of faux-columns (ideal for designs structured with this technique in mind).

Answer 5

Answer №3

To ensure the right column fills the remaining width, simply apply an overflow property without using a float.

.right {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

By following these steps, the right column will expand to fill the available space.

Answer 6

To ensure the right column fills the remaining width, simply apply an overflow property without using a float.

.right {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

By following these steps, the right column will expand to fill the available space.

Answer 7

Answer №4

To achieve what you're looking for, consider implementing something like the following:

http://jsfiddle.net/ABcdE/5/

The key element you need to focus on is:

 .left {
   display: inline-block;
   vertical-align: top;
 }

Understanding the concept of "inline-block" and "vertical-align" is crucial in this scenario. For a detailed explanation, check out this resource: http://css-tricks.com/centering-in-the-unknown/

Keep in mind that while this approach links the heights of the elements, adjustments may still be required based on your specific layout and design.

Answer 8

To achieve what you're looking for, consider implementing something like the following:

http://jsfiddle.net/ABcdE/5/

The key element you need to focus on is:

 .left {
   display: inline-block;
   vertical-align: top;
 }

Understanding the concept of "inline-block" and "vertical-align" is crucial in this scenario. For a detailed explanation, check out this resource: http://css-tricks.com/centering-in-the-unknown/

Keep in mind that while this approach links the heights of the elements, adjustments may still be required based on your specific layout and design.

Achieve full div coverage within parent container

Answer №1

Alternatives

Summary

Conclusion

jQuery

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

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