The CSS reference

"max-width" - css property (v. css 2)

  • Sets the maximum width of an element.
  • If the tentative used width is greater than 'max-width', a default width calculation is done, but will use the computed value of 'max-width' as the computed value for 'width' the maximum width of an element.
  • If the resulting width is smaller than 'min-width' , a default width calculation is done, but this time using the value of 'min-width' as the computed value for 'width'.
  • Initial value: none
  • The property is not inherited
  • HTML usage: All elements but non-replaced inline elements, table rows, and row groups
  • Browsers that support the max-width - property :
    Internet Explorer Mozilla Firefox Opera Google Chrome Apple Safari

Possible min-width or max-width values:

values Comments CSS
length With this you specify a positive value followed with a unit identifier for a fixed minimum or maximum computed width (it cannot be negative). 1
percentage With this you specify a value with a percentage. It refer to min-width or max-width of containing block. 2
none This is only on 'max-width'. It means there is no limit on the width of the box. 2
inherit Will inherit the value from parent specification. 2

Possible unit identifier:

unit identifier Comments CSS
em The relative unit 'em' is relative to the font size of the element itself. 1
ex The relative unit 'ex' is relative to the font size of the element itself. 1
px Pixels, relative to the viewing device 1
in inches -> 1 inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. 1
cm centimeters. 1
mm millimeters. 1
pt points -> the points used by CSS2 are equal to 1/72th of an inch. 1
pc picas -> 1 pica is equal to 12 points. 1

Javascript access:

// To SET values ([o] is the target object)
[o].style.maxWidth="max-width value"
// To GET values you must first get the computed style object
// To get that object in IE or Opera:
var cStyle=[o].currentStyle;
// To get that object in Firefox, Chrome or Safari (w3c-type):
var cStyle=window.getComputedStyle([o],null)
// To GET the property value:
var value=cStyle.maxWidth;
// IE and Opera will return a value in units as used with a Set.
// Firefox will return a calculated float value in pixel (px).
// Chrome or Safari will return a calculated int value in pixel (px).
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