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CSS Z-index

The z-index property specifies the stack order of an element. An element with a greater stack order is always in front of an element with a lower stack order.

How Z-index Works

The z-index property only works on positioned elements (position: absolute, position: relative, position: fixed, or position: sticky). It can have the following values:

  • auto: Sets the stack order equal to its parents.
  • number: Sets the stack order of the element. Negative numbers are allowed.

Example

css
.container {
  position: relative;
}

.black-box {
  position: absolute;
  z-index: 1;
}

.gray-box {
  position: absolute;
  z-index: 2; /* gray-box will be on top */
}

.green-box {
  position: absolute;
  z-index: 3; /* green-box will be on top */
}
Try it Yourself »

Test Yourself with an Exercise

An element with a larger z-index will be placed in front of an element with a smaller z-index.