CSS3 columns Property
Topic: CSS3 Properties ReferencePrev|Next
Description
The columns CSS property is a shorthand property for setting both the column-width and the column-count properties at the same time.
The following table summarizes the usages context and the version history of this property.
| Default value: | auto auto; See individual properties |
|---|---|
| Applies to: | Non-replaced block-level elements (except table elements), table cells, and inline-block elements |
| Inherited: | No |
| Animatable: | Yes, as each of the properties of the shorthand is animatable. See animatable properties. |
| Version: | New in CSS3 |
Syntax
The syntax of the property is given with:
The example below shows the columns property in action.
Example
Try this code »p {
-webkit-columns: 150px 3; /* Chrome, Safari, Opera */
-moz-columns: 150px 3; /* Firefox */
columns: 150px 3; /* Standard syntax */
}
Property Values
The following table describes the values of this property.
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
column-width |
Specifies the optimal width of the column in a multi-column element. |
column-count |
Specifies the optimal number of columns in a multi-column element. |
initial |
Sets this property to its default value. |
inherit |
If specified, the associated element takes the computed value of its parent element columns property. |
Browser Compatibility
The columns property is supported in all major modern browsers.
Basic Support—
|
Further Reading
See tutorial on: CSS3 Multi-column Layouts.
Related properties: column-span, column-fill, column-gap, column-rule, column-rule-color, column-rule-style, column-rule-width, column-count, column-width.

