Example
Set the left margin of a <div> element:
document.getElementById("myDiv").style.marginLeft = "50px";Try it Yourself »
Definition and Usage
The marginLeft property sets or returns the left margin of an element.
Both the margin property and the padding property insert space around an element. However, the difference is that margin inserts the space around the border, while padding inserts the space within the border of an element.
Browser Support
The marginLeft property is supported in all major browsers.
Syntax
Return the marginLeft property:
object.style.marginLeft
Set the marginLeft property:
object.style.marginLeft="%|length|auto|inherit"
Property Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| % | Defines the left margin in % of the width of the parent element |
| length | Defines the left margin in length units |
| auto | The browser sets the left margin |
| initial | Sets this property to its default value. Read about initial |
| inherit | Inherits this property from its parent element. Read about inherit |
Technical Details
| Default Value: | 0 |
|---|---|
| Return Value: | A String, representing the left margin of an element |
| CSS Version | CSS1 |
More Examples
Example
Change the left margin of a <div> element back to "normal":
document.getElementById("myDiv").style.marginLeft = "0px";
Try it Yourself »
Example
Return the left margin of a <div> element:
alert(document.getElementById("myDiv").style.marginLeft);
Try it Yourself »
Example
Difference between marginLeft and paddingLeft:
function changeMargin() {
document.getElementById("myDiv").style.marginLeft = "100px";
}
function changePadding() {
document.getElementById("myDiv2").style.paddingLeft
= "100px";
}
Try it Yourself »
Related Pages
CSS tutorial: CSS Margin
CSS reference: margin-left property
HTML DOM reference: margin property
< Style Object