Ensure that the div spans the entire width of the page, prioritize maintaining the aspect ratio, but allow for variable

Question

Ensure that the div spans the entire width of the page, prioritize maintaining the aspect ratio, but allow for variable

I have a dilemma with a div containing multiple elements. My goal is to make the div 100% in width, while also attempting to preserve the aspect ratio if feasible. Should the enclosed elements exceed the div's boundaries, then the height will adjust accordingly.

<div class="wrap">
    <div>example text</div>
    <img ... />
    <span>more text</span>
    <div>testing testing</div>
</div>

In my opinion, the CSS code might look something like this:

.wrap {
    width: 100%;
    min-height: maintain-aspect-ratio; /* striving to keep aspect ratio (2:1) */
    height: auto;
}

Has anyone encountered this challenge previously?

css

Answer 1

Answer №1

I have a method that I've successfully used in the past. It involves using padding, as you can see in the linked post and Pete's fiddle. The reason for this approach is because percentage-based padding values are always relative to the width of the parent element, as specified in CSS. Many techniques will utilize position:absolute on the inner wrapper to remove it from the normal flow and enforce the desired aspect ratio. Pete's fiddle employs negative margin, which also works effectively since it too depends on the parent's width. Below is an alternative solution that incorporates a floated pseudo-element utilizing the same concept. Despite having a width of 0px, the pseudo-element has a top padding of 80%. By including overflow:scroll (or hidden), the parent container avoids collapsing. Consequently, the div remains at least as tall as the floated pseudo-element.

.container {
  width: 500px;
  margin: auto;
}
img {
  max-width: 100%;
}
.wrap {
  background: #8C8;
  color: white;
  overflow: auto;
}
.wrap:before {
  content: '';
  display: block;
  padding-top: 80%;
  float: left;
  width: 0px;
}

<div class="container">
  <div class="wrap">
    <div>bla bla bla</div>
    <img src="https://placehold.it/600x300">
    <span>bla bla bla</span>
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.</div>
  </div>
  <div>Content after the item</div>
  <div class="wrap">
    <div>bla bla bla</div>
    <img src="https://placehold.it/600x300">
    <span>bla bla bla</span>
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.</div>
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.</div>
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.</div>
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.</div>
  </div>
  <div>Content after the item</div>
</div>

Answer 2

I have a method that I've successfully used in the past. It involves using padding, as you can see in the linked post and Pete's fiddle. The reason for this approach is because percentage-based padding values are always relative to the width of the parent element, as specified in CSS. Many techniques will utilize position:absolute on the inner wrapper to remove it from the normal flow and enforce the desired aspect ratio. Pete's fiddle employs negative margin, which also works effectively since it too depends on the parent's width. Below is an alternative solution that incorporates a floated pseudo-element utilizing the same concept. Despite having a width of 0px, the pseudo-element has a top padding of 80%. By including overflow:scroll (or hidden), the parent container avoids collapsing. Consequently, the div remains at least as tall as the floated pseudo-element.

.container {
  width: 500px;
  margin: auto;
}
img {
  max-width: 100%;
}
.wrap {
  background: #8C8;
  color: white;
  overflow: auto;
}
.wrap:before {
  content: '';
  display: block;
  padding-top: 80%;
  float: left;
  width: 0px;
}

<div class="container">
  <div class="wrap">
    <div>bla bla bla</div>
    <img src="https://placehold.it/600x300">
    <span>bla bla bla</span>
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.</div>
  </div>
  <div>Content after the item</div>
  <div class="wrap">
    <div>bla bla bla</div>
    <img src="https://placehold.it/600x300">
    <span>bla bla bla</span>
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.</div>
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.</div>
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.</div>
    <div>Lorem ipsum dolor dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.</div>
  </div>
  <div>Content after the item</div>
</div>

Ensure that the div spans the entire width of the page, prioritize maintaining the aspect ratio, but allow for variable

Answer №1

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