Z-Index Auto Stacking z-auto
Use automatic stacking order with z-index: auto, allowing elements to follow natural document flow and stacking context rules.
Quick Reference
Class Details
Class:z-auto
CSS:z-index: auto
Stacking level:Natural order
Common Use Cases
• Reset z-index to natural order
• Default positioned elements
• Avoid stacking context creation
• Natural document flow
Interactive Examples
Natural Stacking Order
First (z-auto)
Second (z-auto)
Third (z-auto)
✓ z-auto elements stack in document order
✓ Later elements appear on top naturally
<div class="absolute z-auto">Natural order</div> Z-Index Reset
z-30
z-auto
z-10
✓ z-auto resets to natural stacking
✓ Useful for overriding inherited z-index
No Stacking Context
Parent z-auto
z-50
Sibling z-10
✓ z-auto doesn't create stacking context
✓ Child z-50 can appear above sibling z-10
Document Flow
Block 1 (z-auto)
Block 2 (z-auto)
Block 3 (z-auto)
✓ z-auto maintains natural document flow
✓ No artificial stacking manipulation
When to Use Z-Auto
🔄 Reset Z-Index
Return to natural stacking order.
<div class="z-auto">Natural</div> 📄 Document Flow
Maintain natural element ordering.
<div class="relative z-auto">Flow</div> 🚫 Avoid Context
Prevent stacking context creation.
<div class="absolute z-auto">No context</div> ⚙️ Default Behavior
Use browser default stacking.
<div class="z-auto">Default</div> Z-Auto vs Z-0
z-auto
- • Does NOT create stacking context
- • Uses natural document order
- • Children can escape to parent's context
- • Browser default behavior
- • More flexible for complex layouts
z-0
- • DOES create stacking context
- • Explicit z-index value of 0
- • Children are contained within context
- • Predictable stacking behavior
- • Better for controlled layering