columns

The columns CSS property is a shorthand property allowing to set both the column-width and the column-count properties at the same time.

Initial value	as each of the properties of the shorthand: column-width: auto column-count: auto
Applies to	non-replaced block elements (except table elements), table-cell or inline-block elements
Inherited	no
Media	visual
Computed value	as each of the properties of the shorthand: column-width: the absolute length, zero or larger column-count: as specified
Animation type	as each of the properties of the shorthand: column-width: a length column-count: an integer
Canonical order	order of appearance in the formal grammar of the values

Syntax

columns: 1em;
columns: 1;
columns: auto;
columns: 1 auto;
columns: auto 12em;
columns: auto auto;

Values

<'column-width'>

Is a <length> value giving a hint of the optimal width of the column. The actual column width may be wider (to fill the available space), or narrower (only if the available space is smaller than the specified column width). The length must be strictly positive or the declaration is invalid.

<'column-count'>

Is a strictly positive <integer> describing the ideal number of columns into which the content of the element will be flowed. If the column-width is also set to a non-auto value, it merely indicates the maximum allowed number of columns.

Formal syntax

<'column-width'> || <'column-count'>

Examples

.content-box {
  border: 10px solid #000000;
  columns:3;
}

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
CSS Multi-column Layout Module The definition of 'columns' in that specification.	Candidate Recommendation	Initial definition

Browser compatibility

See also

• CSS Reference