3D transforms allow you to move, rotate, scale, and skew HTML elements.
3D transforms is like 2D but with an additional z-axis.
The transform property creates the transformations.
The property values are functions, such as translateX, scaleY, and rotateZ.
This element is rotated using a transform.
Hover over the element to see it rotate back.
<style>
.transform {
background-color: aliceblue;
border: 1px solid #555;
padding: 15px;
width: 250px;
transform: rotateY(180deg);
}
.transform:hover {
transform: none;
cursor: pointer;
}
</style>
<div class="transform">
This element is Y-rotated
by 180 degrees
</div>
The values of the transform property are functions.
Here is a list of the available 3D transformation functions.
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
matrix3d(
n,n,n,n,
|
Defines a 3D transformation, using a 4x4 matrix of 16 values |
translate3d(x,y,z) |
Defines a 3D translation |
translateX(x) |
Defines a 3D translation, using only the value for the X-axis |
translateY(y) |
Defines a 3D translation, using only the value for the Y-axis |
translateZ(z) |
Defines a 3D translation, using only the value for the Z-axis |
scale3d(x,y,z) |
Defines a 3D scale transformation |
scaleX(x) |
Defines a 3D scale transformation by giving a value for the X-axis |
scaleY(y) |
Defines a 3D scale transformation by giving a value for the Y-axis |
scaleZ(z) |
Defines a 3D scale transformation by giving a value for the Z-axis |
rotate3d(x,y,z,angle) |
Defines a 3D rotation |
rotateX(angle) |
Defines a 3D rotation along the X-axis |
rotateY(angle) |
Defines a 3D rotation along the Y-axis |
rotateZ(angle) |
Defines a 3D rotation along the Z-axis |
perspective(n) |
Defines a perspective view for a 3D transformed element |
The translateX function moves an element along the x-axis.
This example has a standard element and an X-translated element.
<style>
.standard {
background-color: aliceblue;
border: 1px solid black;
width: 300px;
padding: 25px;
}
.standard.translate {
transform: translateX(50px);
}
</style>
<div class="standard">
A standard element
</div>
<div class="standard translate">
A translated element
</div>
The scaleY function resizes an element along the y-axis.
This example has a standard element and a Y-scaled element.
<style>
.standard {
background-color: aliceblue;
border: 1px solid black;
width: 300px;
padding: 25px;
margin-left: 80px;
}
.standard.scale {
transform: scale(1.2);
}
</style>
<div class="standard">
A standard element
</div>
<div class="standard scale">
A scaled element
</div>
The rotateZ function rotates an element around the z-axis.
This example has a standard element and a Z-rotated element.
<style>
.standard {
background-color: aliceblue;
border: 1px solid black;
width: 300px;
padding: 25px;
margin-top: 20px;
}
.standard.rotate {
transform: rotateZ(90deg);
}
</style>
<div class="standard">
A standard element
</div>
<div class="standard rotate">
A rotated element
</div>
The table below are the properties used for 3D transforms.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| transform | Applies a 2D or 3D transformation to an element |
| transform-origin | Allows you to change the position on transformed elements |
| transform-style | Specifies how nested elements are rendered in 3D space |
| perspective | Specifies the perspective on how 3D elements are viewed |
| perspective-origin | Specifies the bottom position of 3D elements |
| backface-visibility | Defines whether or not an element should be visible when facing away from the screen |
This table shows when 3D transforms support started for each browser.
 Chrome
|
36.0 | Jul 2014 |
 Firefox
|
16.0 | Oct 2012 |
 IE/Edge
|
11.0 | Oct 2013 |
 Opera
|
23.0 | Jul 2013 |
 Safari
|
9.0 | Sep 2015 |
