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sign()

The sign() CSS function contains one calculation, and returns -1 if the numeric value of the argument is negative, +1 if the numeric value of the argument is positive, 0⁺ if the numeric value of the argument is 0⁺, and 0⁻ if the numeric value of the argument is 0⁻.

Note: While abs() returns the absolute value of the argument, sign() returns the sign of the argument.

Syntax

/* property: sign(expression) */
top: sign( --value );

The sign() function takes only one expression as its argument.

Formal syntax

<sign()> = 
  sign( <calc-sum> )  

<calc-sum> = 
  <calc-product> [ [ '+' | '-' ] <calc-product> ]*  

<calc-product> = 
  <calc-value> [ [ '*' | '/' ] <calc-value> ]*  

<calc-value> = 
  <number>         |
  <dimension>      |
  <percentage>     |
  <calc-constant>  |
  ( <calc-sum> )   

<calc-constant> = 
  e          |
  pi         |
  infinity   |
  -infinity  |
  NaN

Examples

Background image position

For example, in background-position positive percentages resolve to a negative length, and vice versa, if the background image is larger than the background area. Thus sign(10%) might return 1 or -1, depending on how the percentage is resolved! (Or even 0, if it's resolved against a zero length.)

div {
  background-position: sign(10%);
}

Position direction

Another usecase is to control the position of the element. Either a positive or a negative value.

div {
  position: absolute;
  top: calc(100px * sign(var(--value)));
}

Specifications

Specification
CSS Values and Units Module Level 5 # sign-funcs

Browser compatibility

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