Ghost element technique Micha Czernows hack

This technique works even when the container’s dimensions are unknown.

Set up a “ghost” element inside the container to be centered that is 100% height, then use vertical-align: middle on both that and the element to be centered.

CSS

/* This parent can be any width and height */
.block {
  text-align: center;

  /* May want to do this if there is risk the container may be narrower than the element inside */
  white-space: nowrap;
}
 
/* The ghost element */
.block:before {
  content: '';
  display: inline-block;
  height: 100%;
  vertical-align: middle;

  /* There is a gap between ghost element and .centered,
  caused by space character rendered. Could be eliminated by
  nudging .centered (nudge distance depends on font family),
  or by zeroing font-size in .parent and resetting it back
  (probably to 1rem) in .centered. */
  margin-right: -0.25em;
}

/* The element to be centered, can also be of any width and height */ 
.centered {
  display: inline-block;
  vertical-align: middle;
  width: 300px;
  white-space: normal; /* Resetting inherited nowrap behavior */
}

HTML

<div class="block">
  <div class="centered"></div>
</div>

Found a mistake? Have a question or improvement idea? Let me know.

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