1. Layout
  2. z-index

Layout

z-index

Utilities for controlling the stack order of an element.

ClassStyles
z-<number>
z-index: <number>;
z-auto
z-index: auto;
z-[<value>]
z-index: <value>;
z-(<custom-property>)
z-index: var(<custom-property>);

Examples

Basic example

Use the z-<number> utilities like z-10 and z-50 to control the stack order (or three-dimensional positioning) of an element, regardless of the order it has been displayed:

05
04
03
02
01
<div class="z-40 ...">05</div><div class="z-30 ...">04</div><div class="z-20 ...">03</div><div class="z-10 ...">02</div><div class="z-0 ...">01</div>

Using negative values

To use a negative z-index value, prefix the class name with a dash to convert it to a negative value:

01
02
03
04
05
<div class="...">05</div><div class="...">04</div><div class="-z-10 ...">03</div><div class="...">02</div><div class="...">01</div>

Using a custom value

Use the z-[<value>] syntax to set the stack order based on a completely custom value:

<div class="z-[calc(var(--index)+1)] ...">  <!-- ... --></div>

For CSS variables, you can also use the z-(<custom-property>) syntax:

<div class="z-(--my-z) ...">  <!-- ... --></div>

This is just a shorthand for z-[var(<custom-property>)] that adds the var() function for you automatically.

Responsive design

Prefix a z-index utility with a breakpoint variant like md: to only apply the utility at medium screen sizes and above:

<div class="z-0 md:z-50 ...">  <!-- ... --></div>

Learn more about using variants in the variants documentation.

Copyright © 2025 Tailwind Labs Inc.·Trademark Policy