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CSS rotateZ() Function – How to Rotate Elements around Z-axis

rotateZ() transforms an element by rotating it three-dimensionally around the Z-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 rotateZ() Function

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

element {
  transform: rotateZ(angle);
}

Note the following:

  • The rotateZ(angle) function is equivalent to rotate3d(0, 0, 1, angle) or rotate(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 rotateZ() Function

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

How to do a zero-degree rotation around the Z-axis

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

Try Editing It

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

How to do a 70-degree rotation around the Z-axis

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

Try Editing It

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

CSS rotateZ() Function vs. rotate Property: What’s the Difference?

CSS rotateZ() 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 Z-axis:

img {
  rotate: z 70deg; /* Equal to a transform: rotateZ(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 Z-axis.

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