Skip to content
Theme mode
Notifications
Jonah Patel joined the team
yesterdayChloe Tanaka commented on your task
5 hours agoPriya Okafor sent a new order
11 hours ago
View all

Z-index

Z-index utilities change the stacking order of positioned elements: z-n1 sends an element behind its context, z-0 creates a base layer and z-1, z-2 and z-3 bring elements forward. They only apply to elements with a position, so pair them with position-relative or position-absolute.

1Z-index scale

z-n1, z-0, z-1, z-2 and z-3 stack positioned elements from back to front.

z-3
z-2
z-1
z-0
z-n1

2Order without z-index

Without z-index, later elements paint on top of earlier ones.

first
second (on top)

3Bring the first one forward

z-1 on the first element puts it above its later sibling.

first, z-1
second

4Background shape behind content

z-n1 places a decorative shape behind the text of its positioned parent, which uses z-0 to form a stacking context.

Brands that stand out and sell

We combine strategy, design and technology to build brands that grow.

5Overlapping avatars

Decreasing z-index keeps the first avatar on top of the stack.

Omar Alvarez Diego Kim Aria Tanaka Liam Morgan

6Active button above its neighbours

In joined button rows the active one gets z-1 so its border is not hidden.

7Badge over a card image

The badge uses z-2 so it stays above an overlay with z-1.

Looking back at a busy season
insights

8Floating label above a chart

A z-3 label stays above grid lines and bars.

Peak 443

9Sticky header layer

A sticky header with z-2 stays above rows that have their own positioned badges.

Team
Leo Patel new
Luna Novak
Samir Rossi
Ava Alvarez
Lea Brennan

10Cards in a fan

Rotated cards stacked with z-1 to z-3.

z-1
z-2
z-3

11Image behind a heading

The hero image sits on z-n1 inside a z-0 context, the text sits on top.

Creative work with measurable results

Thousands of clients already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way.

12Focus ring over siblings

List group items lift their active item with z-1 so its border shows on both edges.

  • Web
  • Motion
  • Motion

13Notification over a header

A count badge on z-3 overlaps the next header item.

15

14Stacked paper effect

Two layers on z-n1 behind a card look like a pile of pages.

Print
14 documents

15Overlapping sections

A card with z-1 overlaps the coloured band above it via a negative top offset.

We design brands people remember

Senior designers lead every project from the first sketch to the final file.

16Corner ribbon above a border

A z-2 ribbon overlaps the card border.

Approved
Web design
Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.

17Hover card layer (static preview)

A preview popover on z-3 overlapping a list.

  • Finn Mensah
  • Nora Lindqvist
  • Sofia Kim
Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right.

18Z-index needs a position

z-* only works on positioned elements: the left box has no position, the right one has position-relative.

z-3, static (ignored)
z-3, position-relative

19Price tag over a product

A z-1 price tag over the product image and a z-2 heart button above it.

Packaging design $93.98

20Dropdown above content

An open menu at z-3 overlaps the panel below it.

  • Newest
  • Price low to high
  • Rating
Websites we build are fast, accessible and easy for your team to update. We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.