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CSS rotateX() Function – How to Rotate Elements around X-axis

rotateX() transforms an element by rotating it three-dimensionally around the X-axis.

Illustration of the 3D Cartesian coordinate system

A three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system showing the X-, Y-, and Z-axis

Syntax of the CSS rotateX() Function​

rotateX() accepts a single argument. Here is the syntax:

element {
  transform: rotateX(angle);
}

Note the following:

  • The rotateX(angle) function is equivalent to rotate3d(1, 0, 0, angle).
  • The angle argument specifies the element's angle of rotation.
  • angle can be in degree, gradian, radian, or turn.
  • An angle argument consists of a number followed by the unit you wish to use—for instance, 45deg.

Examples of the CSS rotateX() Function​

Below are some examples of how the CSS rotateX() function works.

How to do a zero-degree rotation around the X-axis​

img {
  transform: rotateX(0deg);
  width: 80%;
}

Try Editing It

The snippet above used the rotateX() function to specify a zero-degree (0⁰) rotation for the image around the X-axis.

How to do a 70-degree rotation around the X-axis​

img {
  transform: rotateX(70deg);
  width: 80%;
}

Try Editing It

The snippet above used the rotateX() function to specify a seventy-degree (70⁰) rotation for the image around the X-axis.

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CSS rotateX() Function vs. rotate Property: What's the Difference?​

CSS rotateX() functions and CSS rotate property provide two similar ways to specify rotation transformations.

The main differences between the two rotation techniques are as follows:

  • The CSS rotate property allows rotating an element without using the CSS transform property.
  • The CSS rotate property's syntax is shorter than its function alternative.
  • The CSS rotate property saves you from remembering the specific order to position the transform functions.
  • Browsers calculate the transform functions' matrix in the order you assigned them to the CSS transform property—from left to right.
  • Browsers calculate the transform properties' matrix in the following transformation matrix order:
    1. translate
    2. rotate
    3. scale

Here's an example:

Use CSS rotate property to do a 70-degree rotation around the X-axis:

img {
  rotate: x 70deg; /* Equal to a transform: rotateX(70deg) property */
  width: 80%;
}

Try Editing It

The snippet above used the rotate property to specify a seventy-degree (70⁰) rotation for the image around the X-axis.

note

A none value tells browsers not to rotate the selected element.

Overview​

This article discussed what a CSS rotateX() function is. We also used examples to see how it works.