CSS column-fill Property Reference

The CSS column-fill property is a standard property in CSS Multi-column Layout. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

Updated 2026-08-12

column-fill overview

The CSS column-fill property is a standard property in CSS Multi-column Layout. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

The property is not inherited by default. Use an explicit global keyword when inheritance is intended.

Syntax and formal definition

column-fill formal syntax

Field	Value
Formal syntax	auto \| balance
Initial value	balance
Applies to	multicolElements
Inherited	No
Percentages	no
Computed value	asSpecified
Animation type	discrete
Media	visualInContinuousMediaNoEffectInOverflowColumns
Specification group	CSS Multi-column Layout
Status	Standard

Practical examples

These declarations demonstrate valid ways to set column-fill. The initial and inherit global keywords remain available even when a property-specific value is preferable.

column-fill live example

CSS

.reset-example {
  column-fill: initial;
}

.inherit-example {
  column-fill: inherit;
}

@supports (column-fill: initial) {
  .supported {
    column-fill: initial;
  }
}