mx-auto Tailwind CSS Class
Center horizontally. The generated CSS output is margin-left/right: auto. This page gives you the generated CSS output, a copy-paste example, and an interactive demo for search-friendly utility lookups.
mx-auto maps to margin-left/right: auto. It belongs to the Spacing category and was generated from Tailwind CSS v4.1.14 reference data.
Interactive Demo
Toggle the utility on and off, switch preview surfaces, and adjust the demo content to see how this class behaves.
This preview simulates the effect of mx-auto using structured data generated from your Tailwind reference snapshot.
Visual Comparison
mx-auto changes spacing rhythm by adjusting margin-left/right to auto, which affects how tightly or loosely elements sit together.
Variants & Breakpoints
Use the base utility directly, then layer state or responsive variants when the component needs more specific behavior.
| Context | Class syntax | Why use it | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | mx-auto | Apply mx-auto directly to the element. | Default application |
| sm | sm:mx-auto | Applies from 640px and up. | 640px |
| md | md:mx-auto | Applies from 768px and up. | 768px |
| lg | lg:mx-auto | Applies from 1024px and up. | 1024px |
Utility Family Comparison
Compare nearby options and related companions so you can choose the right intensity before reaching for trial-and-error tweaks.
When to use this class
Use it when you need consistent breathing room in a component instead of ad hoc inline spacing tweaks across multiple child elements.
Watch out for
Avoid mixing multiple spacing strategies for the same relationship. Combining margin, padding, and gap without a clear rule usually creates uneven layouts.
Class Reference
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Utility class | mx-auto |
| Category | Spacing |
| CSS output | margin-left/right: auto |
| Source page | Cheat Sheet |
| Static slug | mx-auto |
Example Snippet
Use this code snippet as a starting point, then swap the markup around it to fit your component or layout.
<div class="rounded-lg border border-slate-200 mx-auto">Spacing preview</div>Related Utility Pages
Browse More
Return to the Cheat Sheet page for broader browsing, or open the Tailwind CSS Cheat Sheet to move across categories quickly.