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CSS How to Make a Website Responsive Web Design and Testing Build a Three Column Layout

Posted by Jae Kim
Jae Kim
597 Points

What does float actually do? I am having a difficult time understanding its function.

What does float actually do? I am having a difficult time understanding its function.

2 Answers

Phil Arnold
Phil Arnold
11,331 Points

Basically, it allows you to push elements as far left or right as they can go without having to re-arrange your HTML.

I commonly use it for images and things like that but is also used heavily for layouts. Non-floated elements will wrap around a floated element too.

Hope this helps.

Louis Otto
Louis Otto
23,264 Points
Louis Otto
Louis Otto
23,264 Points

Imagine smaller divs as boats inside a harbour (the wrapper div).

You can choose whether a boat will be on the lefthand or righthand side by selecting where it 'floats'.

This is a really layman way of describing it, but you can learn more here: http://www.w3schools.com/css/css_float.asp