CSS Math Functions (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 03 Jan, 2025

CSS Math Functions allow you to perform calculations directly in your stylesheets, making it easier to create flexible and responsive designs. With functions like calc(), max(), and min(), you can dynamically adjust styles to suit various conditions.

1. calc() Function

The calc() function allows you to perform mathematical calculations in CSS. It supports addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), and division (/).

HTML `

<style>
    .box {
        width: calc(50% - 20px);
        height: 100px;
        background-color: lightblue;
    }
</style>

`

• The width of the .box is set to 50% of the container's width, minus 20px for padding.
• This ensures the box takes up half of the container's width but with an offset of 20px on each side.

2. min() Function

The min() function returns the smallest value from a list of values. It’s useful when you want an element’s property to have a dynamic value that adjusts based on other conditions but doesn't exceed a certain limit.

HTML `

<style>
    .box {
        width: min(200px, 50%);
        height: 100px;
        background-color: lightgreen;
    }
</style>

`

• The .box width will be either 200px or 50% of the container width, whichever is smaller.
• This is useful in responsive designs where you don’t want the element to grow beyond a certain size.

3. max() Function

The max() function works the opposite of min(). It returns the largest value from a list of values. This is useful when you want an element's property to be at least a certain size but can grow larger if necessary.

HTML `

<style>
    .box {
        width: max(300px, 50%);
        height: 100px;
        background-color: lightcoral;
    }
</style>

`

• The .box width will be either 300px or 50% of the container width, whichever is larger.
• This ensures that the box always has a minimum width of 300px, but can expand further if the container allows.

4. clamp() Function

The clamp() function defines a value that is constrained within a defined minimum and maximum range, while allowing for a preferred value in between. This is perfect for creating responsive designs that adjust with the viewport size.

HTML `

<style>
    .box {
        font-size: clamp(14px, 5vw, 24px);
        height: 100px;
        background-color: lightgoldenrodyellow;
    }
</style>

`

• The font-size is set to scale with the viewport width (5vw), but it will not go below 14px or exceed 24px.
• This is useful for making text responsive, ensuring readability across devices without it getting too small or too large.

5. var() Function

The var() function is used to access the value of a CSS custom property (variable). Custom properties allow you to store values and reuse them throughout your CSS, making the code more maintainable and flexible.

HTML `

<style>
    :root {
        --box-width: 300px;
    }
    .box {
        width: var(--box-width);
        height: 100px;
        background-color: lightpink;
    }
</style>

`

• The :root selector defines a custom property --box-width with a value of 300px.
• The .box then uses this custom property to set its width, making it easy to reuse the value elsewhere in the stylesheet.
• If you need to change the width, you only need to update it in one place (--box-width).

**Exponential functions

**Sign-related functions

**Stepped value functions

Best Practices for Using Math Functions in CSS

• **Combine Units Easily: Use calc() to mix different CSS units (e.g., percentages and pixels) for more flexible layouts.
• **Set Responsive Limits: Apply min(), max(), and clamp() to ensure elements adapt smoothly to various screen sizes.
• **Keep Calculations Simple: Avoid overly complex expressions to maintain readability and ease of maintenance.