isolation CSS property

Baseline Widely available

This feature is well established and works across many devices and browser versions. It’s been available across browsers since January 2020.

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

Try it

isolation: auto;

isolation: isolate;

<section class="default-example" id="default-example">
  <div class="background-container">
    <div id="example-element">
      <img src="/shared-assets/images/examples/firefox-logo.svg" />
      <p><code>mix-blend-mode: multiply;</code></p>
    </div>
  </div>
</section>

.background-container {
  background-color: #f4f460;
  width: 250px;
}

#example-element {
  border: 1px solid black;
  margin: 2em;
}

#example-element * {
  mix-blend-mode: multiply;
  color: #8245a3;
}

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

Syntax

css
/* 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 valueApplies toInherited Computed value Animation type

auto

All elements. In SVG, it applies to container elements, graphics elements, and graphics referencing elements.

as specified

Not animatable

isolation =
<isolation-mode>

<isolation-mode> =
auto |
isolate
This syntax reflects the latest standard as per Compositing and Blending Module Level 2. Not all browsers may have implemented every part. See Browser compatibility for support information.

Examples

Forcing a new stacking context for an element

HTML

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

css
.isolation-auto {
  isolation: auto;
}

.isolation-isolate {
  isolation: isolate;
}

.big-square {
  background-color: lime;
  width: 200px;
  height: 210px;
}

.small-square {
  background-color: lime;
  width: 100px;
  height: 100px;
  border: 1px solid black;
  padding: 2px;
  mix-blend-mode: difference;
}