Flexbox Alignment: What\'s the Difference Between `flex-start` and `baseline`?

Flex-Start vs. Baseline Alignment in Flexbox

When working with CSS Flexbox's align-self property, understanding the difference between flex-start and baseline is crucial. While they may initially seem to produce the same result, they exhibit distinct behavior in certain scenarios.

Flex-Start Alignment

flex-start aligns flex items at the starting edge of the cross-axis of the flex container. This is typically the top for horizontal orientations and the left for vertical orientations.

Baseline Alignment

baseline aligns flex items along their content's baseline. The baseline is the invisible line upon which most letters rest and below which descenders extend.

Differences

In cases where the font size and content of flex items are consistent, flex-start and baseline will produce similar results. However, when these factors vary, baseline alignment becomes more apparent.

When using baseline alignment, the tallest item in the row determines the position of the baseline. Flex items are aligned so that their baselines are aligned, with the item furthest from its starting margin edge being placed flush against that edge.

Example

Consider the following code:

.flex-container {
  display: flex;
  align-items: baseline;
  justify-content: space-between;
}

.flex-item {
  background-color: green;
  width: 110px;
  min-height: 100px;
  padding: 5px;
  text-align: center;
}

With this code, the flex items are aligned using their baselines. The following output is generated:

<div class="flex-container">
  <div class="flex-item">A</div>
  <div class="flex-item">B</div>
  <div class="flex-item">C</div>
  <div class="flex-item">D</div>
  <div class="flex-item">E</div>
</div>

Note that even though the content of the flex items varies in size, they are all aligned along the baseline.

The above is the detailed content of Flexbox Alignment: What's the Difference Between `flex-start` and `baseline`?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!