---
layout: docs
title: Utility classes
group: components
---
Bootstrap includes dozens of utilities—classes with a single purpose. They're designed to reduce the frequency of highly repetitive declarations in your CSS while allowing for quick and easy development.
## Contents
* Will be replaced with the ToC, excluding the "Contents" header
{:toc}
## Spacing
Assign `margin` or `padding` to an element or a subset of its sides with shorthand classes. Includes support for individual properties, all properties, and vertical and horizontal properties. All classes are multiples on the global default value, `1rem`.
The classes are named using the format: `{property}-{sides}-{size}`
Where *property* is one of:
* `m` - for classes that set `margin`
* `p` - for classes that set `padding`
Where *sides* is one of:
* `t` - for classes that set `margin-top` or `padding-top`
* `b` - for classes that set `margin-bottom` or `padding-bottom`
* `l` - for classes that set `margin-left` or `padding-left`
* `r` - for classes that set `margin-right` or `padding-right`
* `x` - for classes that set both `*-left` and `*-right`
* `y` - for classes that set both `*-top` and `*-bottom`
* `a` - for classes that set a `margin` or `padding` on all 4 sides of the element
Where *size* is one of:
* `0` - for classes that eliminate the `margin` or `padding` by setting it to `0`
* `1` - (by default) for classes that set the `margin` or `padding` to `$spacer-x` or `$spacer-y`
* `2` - (by default) for classes that set the `margin` or `padding` to `$spacer-x * 1.5` or `$spacer-y * 1.5`
* `3` - (by default) for classes that set the `margin` or `padding` to `$spacer-x * 3` or `$spacer-y * 3`
Here are some representative examples of these classes:
{% highlight scss %}
.m-t-0 {
margin-top: 0 !important;
}
.m-l-1 {
margin-left: $spacer-x !important;
}
.p-x-2 {
padding-left: ($spacer-x * 1.5) !important;
padding-right: ($spacer-x * 1.5) !important;
}
.p-a-3 {
padding: ($spacer-y * 3) ($spacer-x * 3) !important;
}
{% endhighlight %}
Additionally, Bootstrap also includes an `.m-x-auto` class which sets the horizontal margins to `auto`.
## Text alignment
Easily realign text to components with text alignment classes.
{% example html %}
Justified text.
No wrap text.
{% endexample %}
For left, right, and center alignment, responsive classes are available that use the same viewport width breakpoints as the grid system.
{% example html %}
Left aligned text on all viewport sizes.
Center aligned text on all viewport sizes.
Right aligned text on all viewport sizes.
Left aligned text on viewports sized SM (small) or wider.
Left aligned text on viewports sized MD (medium) or wider.
Left aligned text on viewports sized LG (large) or wider.
Left aligned text on viewports sized XL (extra-large) or wider.
{% endexample %}
## Text transform
Transform text in components with text capitalization classes.
{% example html %}
Lowercased text.
Uppercased text.
CapiTaliZed text.
{% endexample %}
Note how `text-capitalize` only changes the first letter of each word, leaving the case of any other letters unaffected.
## Font weight and italics
Quickly change the weight (boldness) of text or italicize text.
{% example html %}
Bold text.
Normal weight text.
Italic text.
{% endexample %}
## Contextual colors and backgrounds
Convey meaning through color with a handful of emphasis utility classes. These may also be applied to links and will darken on hover just like our default link styles.
{% example html %}
Fusce dapibus, tellus ac cursus commodo, tortor mauris nibh.
Nullam id dolor id nibh ultricies vehicula ut id elit.
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula.
Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna.
Etiam porta sem malesuada magna mollis euismod.
Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus auctor fringilla.
{% endexample %}
Contextual text classes also work well on anchors with the provided hover and focus states.
{% example html %}
Muted linkPrimary linkSuccess linkInfo linkWarning linkDanger link
{% endexample %}
Similar to the contextual text color classes, easily set the background of an element to any contextual class. Anchor components will darken on hover, just like the text classes.
{% example html %}
Nullam id dolor id nibh ultricies vehicula ut id elit.
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula.
Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna.
Etiam porta sem malesuada magna mollis euismod.
Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus auctor fringilla.
Cras mattis consectetur purus sit amet fermentum.
{% endexample %}
{% callout info %}
#### Dealing with specificity
Sometimes contextual classes cannot be applied due to the specificity of another selector. In some cases, a sufficient workaround is to wrap your element's content in a `
` with the class.
{% endcallout %}
{% callout warning %}
#### Conveying meaning to assistive technologies
Ensure that any meaning conveyed through color is also conveyed in a format that is not purely presentational.
{% endcallout %}
## Close icon
Use a generic close icon for dismissing content like modals and alerts. **Be sure to include text for screen readers**, as we've done with `aria-label`.
{% example html %}
{% endexample %}
## Responsive floats
These utility classes float an element to the left or right, or disable floating, based on the current viewport size using the [CSS `float` property](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/float). `!important` is included to avoid specificity issues. These use the same viewport width breakpoints as the grid system.
Two similar non-responsive mixins (`pull-left` and `pull-right`) are also available.
{% example html %}
Float left on all viewport sizes
Float right on all viewport sizes
Don't float on all viewport sizes
Float left on viewports sized SM (small) or wider
Float left on viewports sized MD (medium) or wider
Float left on viewports sized LG (large) or wider
Float left on viewports sized XL (extra-large) or wider
{% endexample %}
{% highlight scss %}
// Related simple non-responsive mixins
.element {
@include pull-left;
}
.another-element {
@include pull-right;
}
{% endhighlight %}
## Center content
Set an element to `display: block;` and center via `margin`. Available as a mixin and class.
{% example html %}
Centered block
{% endexample %}
{% highlight scss %}
// Class
.center-block {
display: block;
margin-left: auto;
margin-right: auto;
}
// Usage as a mixin
.element {
@include center-block;
}
{% endhighlight %}
Easily clear `float`s by adding `.clearfix` **to the parent element**. Utilizes [the micro clearfix](http://nicolasgallagher.com/micro-clearfix-hack/) as popularized by Nicolas Gallagher. Can also be used as a mixin.
{% highlight html %}
...
{% endhighlight %}
{% highlight scss %}
// Mixin itself
.clearfix() {
&:before,
&:after {
content: " ";
display: table;
}
&:after {
clear: both;
}
}
// Usage as a mixin
.element {
@include clearfix;
}
{% endhighlight %}
## Invisible content
The `.invisible` class can be used to toggle only the visibility of an element, meaning its `display` is not modified and the element can still affect the flow of the document.
{% highlight html %}
...
{% endhighlight %}
{% highlight scss %}
// Class
.invisible {
visibility: hidden;
}
// Usage as a mixin
.element {
.invisible();
}
{% endhighlight %}
## Screen readers and keyboard users
Hide an element to all devices **except screen readers** with `.sr-only`. Combine `.sr-only` with `.sr-only-focusable` to show the element again when it's focused (e.g. by a keyboard-only user). Can also be used as mixins.
{% comment %}
Necessary for following [accessibility best practices](../getting-started/#accessibility).
{% endcomment %}
{% highlight html %}
Skip to main content
{% endhighlight %}
{% highlight scss %}
// Usage as a mixin
.skip-navigation {
@include sr-only;
@include sr-only-focusable;
}
{% endhighlight %}
## Image replacement
Utilize the `.text-hide` class or mixin to help replace an element's text content with a background image.
{% highlight html %}
Custom heading
{% endhighlight %}
{% highlight scss %}
// Usage as a mixin
.heading {
@include text-hide;
}
{% endhighlight %}
## Responsive embeds
Allow browsers to determine video or slideshow dimensions based on the width of their containing block by creating an intrinsic ratio that will properly scale on any device.
Rules are directly applied to `
{% endexample %}
Aspect ratios can be customized with modifier classes.
{% highlight html %}