Style marginTop property

Definition and Usage

marginTop property sets or returns the top outer margin of the element.

margin property and padding property Both insert space around the element. However, the difference is that margin inserts space around the border, while padding inserts space within the element's border.

See also:

CSS Tutorial:CSS Margin

CSS Reference Manual:margin-top property

HTML DOM Reference Manual:margin property

Instance

Example 1

Set the top outer margin of the <div> element:

document.getElementById("myDiv").style.marginTop = "50px";

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Example 2

Change the top outer margin of the <div> element back to "normal":

document.getElementById("myDiv").style.marginTop = "0px";

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Example 3

Return the top outer margin of the <div> element:

alert(document.getElementById("myDiv").style.marginTop);

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Example 4

Difference between marginTop and paddingTop:

function changeMargin() {
  document.getElementById("myDiv").style.marginTop = "100px";
}
function changePadding() {
  document.getElementById("myDiv2").style.paddingTop = "100px";
}

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Syntax

Return marginTop property:

object.style.marginTop

Set marginTop property:

object.style.marginTop = "%|length|auto|initial|inherit"

Attribute value

Value Description
% Defines the top outer margin as a percentage of the parent element's width.
length Defines the top outer margin with a length unit.
auto Browser settings for the top outer margin.
initial Sets this property to its default value. See initial.
inherit Inherits this property from its parent element. See inherit.

Technical details

Default value: 0
Return value: A string representing the top outer margin of the element.
CSS Version: CSS1

Browser support

Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
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