The scaling transformation is not accurate for uneven pixel widths

I'm attempting to resize a div while keeping the inner element in the same position and at the same size. To achieve this, I am using transform: scale(value) on the wrapper and transform: scale(1/value) on the inside div.

The issue arises when the inner div shifts as the scale changes, particularly when the width or height of the wrapper is odd. This shifting does not occur with even dimensions.

My objective is to have multiple child elements of the wrapper scale proportionally while one element remains fixed.

Check out this example to observe the problem during scaling (hover to scale).

Example where there's no problem; the inner element maintains its position during scaling (even container dimensions):

https://jsfiddle.net/o16rau6u/5/

Example with an issue; the inner element slightly moves when scaled (odd container dimensions):

https://jsfiddle.net/o16rau6u/6/

How can I resolve this problem and prevent my elements from moving during scaling regardless of container size?

PS: The provided examples are simplified demonstrations of the issue and do not represent the actual desired output or code used. Alternative methods of achieving similar behavior are not being sought, as they can be easily implemented.

htmlcsscss-transformsscaletransform

Answer №1

Initially, I believed that the issue was related to browser calculations and rounding errors, however, it appears to be a bug. After conducting numerous tests, it consistently fails on odd values.

Here is a basic example focusing on scaleX:

body:after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  z-index: 999;
  top: 0;
  bottom: -200%;
  width: 2px;
  right: 50%;
  margin-right: -1px;
  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
}

.box {
  width: 200px;
  height: 100px;
  margin: 50px auto;
  background: blue;
  position: relative;
}

.inner {
  height: 20px;
  width: 20px;
  background: red;
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
  margin-left: -10px;
  text-align: center;
  color: #fff;
  margin-top: -10px;
}
<div class="box">
  <div class="inner">A</div>
</div>

<div class="box" style="transform:scaleX(2)">
  <div class="inner" style="transform:scaleX(0.5)">A</div>
</div>

<div class="box" style="width:201px;transform:scaleX(2)">
  <div class="inner" style="transform:scaleX(0.5)">A</div>
</div>

Upon closer inspection, it seems that the browser mistakenly shifts the inner div by 1 pixel to the right, even though its size is correct. This results in incorrect positioning during painting while correctly calculating the position.

https://i.stack.imgur.com/PuoLf.png

The same issue arises when applying scale solely on the container, indicating that it's not due to the inner element's scale:

body:after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  z-index: 999;
  top: 0;
  bottom: -200%;
  width: 2px;
  right: 50%;
  margin-right: -1px;
  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
}

.box {
  width: 200px;
  height: 100px;
  margin: 50px auto;
  background: blue;
  position: relative;
}

.inner {
  height: 20px;
  width: 20px;
  background: red;
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
  margin-left: -10px;
  text-align: center;
  color: #fff;
  margin-top: -10px;
}
<div class="box" style="transform:scaleX(2)">
  <div class="inner">A</div>
</div>

<div class="box" style="width:201px;transform:scaleX(2)">
  <div class="inner">A</div>
</div>

https://i.stack.imgur.com/4ynH2.png

Even with floating point values using scale, where there may be rounding and complex calculations involved, we observe correct outputs for even values but discrepancies for odd values:

Example with scale(1.25) & scale(1/1.25):

body:after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  z-index: 999;
  top: 0;
  bottom: -200%;
  width: 2px;
  right: 50%;
  margin-right: -1px;
  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
}

.box {
  width: 200px;
  height: 100px;
  margin: 50px auto;
  background: blue;
  position: relative;
}

.inner {
  height: 20px;
  width: 20px;
  background: red;
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
  margin-left: -10px;
  text-align: center;
  color: #fff;
  margin-top: -10px;
}
<div class="box">
  <div class="inner">A</div>
</div>

<div class="box" style="transform:scaleX(1.25)">
  <div class="inner" style="transform:scaleX(0.8)">A</div>
</div>

<div class="box" style="width:201px;transform:scaleX(1.25)">
  <div class="inner" style="transform:scaleX(0.8)">A</div>
</div>

Example with scale(1.33) & scale(1/1.33):

body:after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  z-index: 999;
  top: 0;
  bottom: -200%;
  width: 2px;
  right: 50%;
  margin-right: -1px;
  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
}

.box {
  width: 200px;
  height: 100px;
  margin: 50px auto;
  background: blue;
  position: relative;
}

.inner {
  height: 20px;
  width: 20px;
  background: red;
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
  margin-left: -10px;
  text-align: center;
  color: #fff;
  margin-top: -10px;
}
<div class="box">
  <div class="inner">A</div>
</div>

<div class="box" style="transform:scaleX(1.33)">
  <div class="inner" style="transform:scaleX(calc(1 / 1.33))">A</div>
</div>

<div class="box" style="width:201px;transform:scaleX(1.33)">
  <div class="inner" style="transform:scaleX(calc(1 / 1.33))">A</div>
</div>

Answer №2

Try not nesting one of these divs inside the other; instead, place both within a third div like so:

.container {
  width: 201px;
  height: 201px;
  position: relative;
}

.inner-1 {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  background-color: blue;
}

.inner-1:hover {
  transform: scale(2);
}

.inner-2 {
  width: 20px;
  height: 20px;
  display: inline-block;
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
  margin-top: -10px;
  margin-left: -10px;
  background-image: url("https://example.com/image.jpg");
  background-size: cover;
  background-repeat: no-repeat;
}
<div class="container">
  <div class="inner-1"></div>
  <div class="inner-2"></div>
</div>

This approach eliminates the need to reset the inner div's dimensions after scaling.

Answer №3

Web browsers have a history of struggling with accurate calculations, as evidenced by the fact that at one point some browsers calculated 33.33% times 3 to be greater than 100%. While improvements have been made over the years, it's still not advisable to rely on this behavior. Attempting to resize elements in this manner is not recommended.

If your goal is to resize the wrapper without affecting the background size, there are alternative methods that achieve this effect without relying on complex transforms that exclude a significant portion of internet users due to improper browser support.

This desired effect can easily be achieved with nearly universal browser support, regardless of screen size.

.wrapper {
  width: 402px;
  height: 402px;
  background-color: blue;
  position: relative;
}

.bg {
  width: 20px;
  height: 20px;
  display: block;
  position: absolute;
  top: 201px;
  left: 201px;
  margin-top: -10px;
  margin-left: -10px;
  background-image: url("https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Wiktionary_small.svg/350px-Wiktionary_small.svg.png");
  background-size: 100% 100%;
  background-repeat: no-repeat;
}

.wrapper:hover {
  width: 4020px;
  height: 4020px;
}
<div id="wrapper" class="wrapper">
  <div id="bg" class="bg"></div>
</div>

If responsiveness is important (and it should be), consider utilizing the following approach:

* {padding: 0; margin: 0;}
html, body {height: 100%;}

.wrapper {
  width: 50vw;
  background-color: blue;
  position: relative;
  padding-bottom: 50%;
}

.bg {
  width: 20px;
  height: 20px;
  display: block;
  position: absolute;
  top: 25vw;
  left: 25vw;
  margin-top: -10px;
  margin-left: -10px;
  background-image: url("https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Wiktionary_small.svg/350px-Wiktionary_small.svg.png");
  background-size: 100% 100%;
  background-repeat: no-repeat;
}

.wrapper:hover {
  width: 500vw;
  padding-bottom: 500%;
}
<div id="wrapper" class="wrapper">
  <div id="bg" class="bg"></div>
</div>

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