B.130. writing-mode

This nonstandard property lets you choose between two common layout methods for text: left-to-right horizontal lines stacked top to bottom on the page (the usual layout for western languages like English), and top-to-bottom vertical lines stacked right to left on the page (the usual layout for East Asian languages like Chinese).

For scripts not designed to be displayed this way (e.g. Latin script as used in English text), the tb-rl setting rotates the text 90 degrees clockwise so that it can be read vertically.

Inherited: Yes

See also: Section B.47layout-flow

B.130.1. Value

lr-tb or tb-rl

Initial value: lr-tb

B.130.2. Compatibility

CSS Version: n/a

Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows or later only.

Equivalent functionality is planned for inclusion in CSS3, but final property names and values are likely to differ. To follow the work on this front, see the CSS Working Group Web site.

B.130.3. Example

This style rule sets the writing-mode of the body and all its children (unless otherwise specified) to the East Asian style:

body {
  writing-mode: tb-rl;
}