The rect() CSS function creates a rectangle at the specified distance from the top and left edges of the containing block. It is a basic shape function of the <basic-shape> data type. You can use the rect() function in CSS properties such as offset-path to create the rectangular path along which an element moves and in clip-path to define the shape of the clipping region.

Syntax

offset-path: rect(0 1% auto 3% round 0 1px);
clip-path: rect(50px 70px 80% 20%);

Values

The inset rectangle is defined by specifying four offset values, starting with the top edge offset and going clockwise, and an optional round keyword with the border-radius parameter to add rounded corners to the rectangle. Each offset value can be either a <length>, a <percentage>, or the keyword auto.

<length-percentage>

Specifies the <length-percentage> value of the distance of the top, right, bottom, or left edge of the rectangle from the top or left edge of the containing block. The first (top) and third (bottom) values are distances from the top edge of the containing block, and the second (right) and fourth (left) values are distances from the left edge of the containing block. The second (right) and third (bottom) values are clamped by the fourth (left) and first (top) values, respectively, to prevent the bottom edge from crossing over the top edge and right edge from crossing over the left edge. For example, rect(10px 0 0 20px) is clamped to rect(10px 20px 10px 20px).

auto

Makes the edge for which this value is used to coincide with the corresponding edge of the containing block. If auto is used for the first (top) or fourth (left) value, the value of auto is 0, and if used for the second (right) or third (bottom) value, the value of auto is 100%.

round <'border-radius'>

Specifies the radius of the rounded corners of the rectangle using the same syntax as the CSS border-radius shorthand property. This parameter is optional.

Formal syntax

<rect()> = 
  rect( <top> , <right> , <bottom> , <left> )  

Examples

Creating offset-path using rect()

In this example, the offset-path property uses the rect() function to define the shape of the path on which the element, a red box in this case, moves. Three different scenarios are shown, each using different values for the rect() function. The arrow inside the boxes points to the right edge of the box.

<div class="container">
  Rectangular path 1
  <div class="path rect-path-1">→</div>
</div>
<div class="container">
  Rectangular path 2
  <div class="path rect-path-2">→</div>
</div>
<div class="container">
  Rectangular path 3
  <div class="path rect-path-3">→</div>
</div>

.container {
  position: relative;
  display: inline-block;
  width: 200px;
  height: 200px;
  border: 1px solid black;
  margin: 15px;
  text-align: center;
}

.path {
  width: 40px;
  height: 40px;
  background-color: red;
  position: absolute;
  animation: move 10s linear infinite;
}

.rect-path-1 {
  offset-path: rect(50px 150px 200px 50px round 20%);
}

.rect-path-2 {
  offset-path: rect(50px auto 200px 50px round 20%);
}

.rect-path-3 {
  offset-path: rect(50px auto 200px auto);
}

@keyframes move {
  0% {
    offset-distance: 0%;
  }
  100% {
    offset-distance: 100%;
  }
}

Result

• The path 1 rectangle specifies the distances of the four edges (top, right, bottom, and left) from the containing block. The top and bottom values are distances from the top edge of the containing block. The right and left values are distances from the left edge of the containing block. In addition, the corner of the rectangle is rounded at 20%, making the red box element follow the rounded corners as it moves along this path. Notice how the arrow inside the box follows curve at the rectangular path corners.
• The path 2 rectangle is similar to the path 1 rectangle, except that the right value is auto, which is equal to the value 100%. This causes the right edge of the rectangle to match the right edge of the containing block, creating a wider rectangle than path 1.
• The path 3 rectangle specifies both the left and right edge parameters as auto and omits the round <'border-radius'> parameter. This creates a rectangle that has the width of the containing block and rectangular corners instead of rounded corners like in path 1 and path 2 rectangles. Notice the movement of the arrow inside this box at the corners.

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• inset() function
• xywh() function
• clip-path property
• offset-path property
• <basic-shape> data type
• CSS shapes module
• Guide to basic shapes