How to center an inline element using CSS and a background color

Question

How to center an inline element using CSS and a background color

I'm struggling to center a block of text in a div with fixed dimensions both horizontally and vertically. I also want the text to have a semi-transparent black background and be able to stretch across two lines if needed.

The issue I'm facing is that the text isn't aligning vertically in the center, and the black background behaves oddly when the text wraps onto a new line.

Here's the current code I'm using:

HTML

<div class="description">
    <span>Welcome to the world of beautiful design, technology and music.</span>
</div>

CSS

div.description {
    width: 645px;
    height: 200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    text-align: center;
}
div.description span {
    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
    color: #FFFFFF;
    font-size: 28px;
    line-height: 60px;
    padding: 10px;
}

I'd like to achieve a similar look to this example without relying on any complex JavaScript tricks to force it into two lines.

Thanks, Charlie

html css text inline

Answer 1

Answer №1

One of the most sophisticated approaches is to utilize display:table-cell;

This is how the CSS would look:

div.description {
    width: 645px;
    height: 200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    text-align: center;
    display:table-cell; 
    vertical-align : middle;
}
div.description span {
    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
    color: #FFFFFF;
    font-size: 28px;
    line-height: 60px;
    padding: 10px;
}

VIEW DEMO

Answer 2

One of the most sophisticated approaches is to utilize display:table-cell;

This is how the CSS would look:

div.description {
    width: 645px;
    height: 200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    text-align: center;
    display:table-cell; 
    vertical-align : middle;
}
div.description span {
    background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
    color: #FFFFFF;
    font-size: 28px;
    line-height: 60px;
    padding: 10px;
}

VIEW DEMO

Answer 3

Answer №2

An alternative method is to create a pseudo-table that enables the utilization of vertical-align: middle;. Check out this example here: http://jsfiddle.net/LcBbc/

Answer 4

An alternative method is to create a pseudo-table that enables the utilization of vertical-align: middle;. Check out this example here: http://jsfiddle.net/LcBbc/

Answer 5

Answer №3

To make adjustments in the margin-top and margin-left properties based on percentage values relative to the height and width of the window, utilize div.description.

For example: Replace

margin: 0 auto

with

margin-top: 10%;
margin-left: 20%;

Answer 6

To make adjustments in the margin-top and margin-left properties based on percentage values relative to the height and width of the window, utilize div.description.

For example: Replace

margin: 0 auto

with

margin-top: 10%;
margin-left: 20%;

Answer 7

Answer №4

To perfectly center a div both vertically and horizontally, the most effective method is to utilize absolute positioning in CSS as shown below:

<div class="content_container">
    <div class="content">
        Welcome to a world filled with stunning design, cutting-edge technology, and captivating music.
    </div>
</body>

Here is the corresponding CSS code:

.content_container {
    position: relative;
} 
.content {
    width: 640px;
    height: 200px;
    position: absolute;
    left: 50%;
    top: 50%;
    margin-left: -320px; /* half of the width */
    margin-top: -100px; /* half of the height */
}

This technique creates a fixed-size div that is centered both vertically and horizontally.

If you require the text to wrap on multiple lines, determining the height dynamically becomes necessary. In such cases, using JavaScript to calculate the height and adjusting the CSS values accordingly is preferred over relying solely on CSS.

For the background, employing a semi-transparent tiled PNG image is recommended for better compatibility across various browsers. Creating a small 5 x 5px image with desired transparency levels in software like Photoshop and saving it as PNG-64 format ensures optimal results.

Answer 8

To perfectly center a div both vertically and horizontally, the most effective method is to utilize absolute positioning in CSS as shown below:

<div class="content_container">
    <div class="content">
        Welcome to a world filled with stunning design, cutting-edge technology, and captivating music.
    </div>
</body>

Here is the corresponding CSS code:

.content_container {
    position: relative;
} 
.content {
    width: 640px;
    height: 200px;
    position: absolute;
    left: 50%;
    top: 50%;
    margin-left: -320px; /* half of the width */
    margin-top: -100px; /* half of the height */
}

This technique creates a fixed-size div that is centered both vertically and horizontally.

If you require the text to wrap on multiple lines, determining the height dynamically becomes necessary. In such cases, using JavaScript to calculate the height and adjusting the CSS values accordingly is preferred over relying solely on CSS.

For the background, employing a semi-transparent tiled PNG image is recommended for better compatibility across various browsers. Creating a small 5 x 5px image with desired transparency levels in software like Photoshop and saving it as PNG-64 format ensures optimal results.

Answer 9

Answer №5

If you're looking for a unique way to "center in the unknown," check out this interesting method I stumbled upon: http://jsfiddle.net/joplomacedo/ag5ea/

Here's the HTML snippet:

<div class="description">
    <span>
        Welcome to the world of creativity and innovation,<br />
        where design meets technology.
    </span>
</div>

And here's the accompanying CSS code:

.description {
    width: 645px; height: 200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    text-align: center;
}

.description:before {
    content: "";
    display: inline-block;
    height: 100%;
    margin-right: -0.25em;
    vertical-align: middle;
}

.description span {
    display: inline-block;
    vertical-align: middle;
}

I can't take credit for this brilliant technique—it was actually featured on css-tricks.com. Check it out here: http://css-tricks.com/centering-in-the-unknown/

Answer 10

If you're looking for a unique way to "center in the unknown," check out this interesting method I stumbled upon: http://jsfiddle.net/joplomacedo/ag5ea/

Here's the HTML snippet:

<div class="description">
    <span>
        Welcome to the world of creativity and innovation,<br />
        where design meets technology.
    </span>
</div>

And here's the accompanying CSS code:

.description {
    width: 645px; height: 200px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    text-align: center;
}

.description:before {
    content: "";
    display: inline-block;
    height: 100%;
    margin-right: -0.25em;
    vertical-align: middle;
}

.description span {
    display: inline-block;
    vertical-align: middle;
}

I can't take credit for this brilliant technique—it was actually featured on css-tricks.com. Check it out here: http://css-tricks.com/centering-in-the-unknown/

How to center an inline element using CSS and a background color

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

Answer №5

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