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isolation

The isolation CSS property determines whether an element must create a new stacking context.

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This property is especially helpful when used in conjunction with mix-blend-mode and z-index.

Syntax

/* Keyword values */
isolation: auto;
isolation: isolate;

/* Global values */
isolation: inherit;
isolation: initial;
isolation: revert;
isolation: revert-layer;
isolation: unset;

The isolation property is specified as one of the keyword values listed below.

Values

auto: A new stacking context is created only if one of the properties applied to the element requires it.
isolate: A new stacking context must be created.

Formal definition

Initial value	`auto`
Applies to	All elements. In SVG, it applies to container elements, graphics elements, and graphics referencing elements.
Inherited	no
Computed value	as specified
Animation type	discrete

Formal syntax

isolation = 
  <isolation-mode>  

<isolation-mode> = 
  auto     |
  isolate

Examples

Forcing a new stacking context for an element

HTML

<div class="big-square ">
  <div class="isolation-auto">
    <div class="small-square">auto</div>
  </div>
  <div class="isolation-isolate">
    <div class="small-square">isolate</div>
  </div>
</div>

CSS

.isolation-auto {
  isolation: auto;
}

.isolation-isolate {
  isolation: isolate;
}

.big-square {
  background-color: rgb(0, 255, 0);
  width: 200px;
  height: 210px;
}

.small-square {
  background-color: rgb(0, 255, 0);
  width: 100px;
  height: 100px;
  border: 1px solid black;
  padding: 2px;
  mix-blend-mode: difference;
}

Result

Specifications

Specification
Compositing and Blending Level 2 # isolation

Browser compatibility

	Desktop						Mobile
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	WebView Android	Chrome Android	Firefox for Android	Opera Android	Safari on IOS	Samsung Internet
`isolation`	41	79	36	No	30	8	41	41	36	30	8	4.0