centering columns

Question

hi i have three columns and i am trying to center them but i cant seem to do so. all the other content on my page is centered. i gave the col class text align center along with the other main elements but it doesn't seem to work

html

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html><head>
    <title>Lake Tahoe</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/style.css">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width">
  </head>
  <body> 
    <header id="top" class="main-header">
      <span class="title">Journey Through the Sierra Nevada Mountains</span>
      <h1>Lake Tahoe, California</h1>
      <img class="arrow" src="img/arrow.svg" alt="Down arrow">
    </header>

        <div class="primary-content t-border">
            <p class="intro">
                Lake Tahoe is one of the most breathtaking attractions located in California. It's home to a number of ski resorts, summer outdoor recreation, and tourist attractions. Snow and skiing are a significant part of the area's reputation.
            </p>
            <a class="callout" href="#more">Find out more</a>

      <div class="wildlife">
        <h2>Check out all the Wildlife</h2>
        <p>
          As spawning season approaches, the fish acquire a humpback and protuberant jaw. After spawning, they die and their carcasses provide a feast for gatherings of <a href="#mink">mink</a>, <a href="#bears">bears</a>, and <a href="#eagles">bald eagles</a>.
        </p>
      </div><!-- End .wildlife -->

            <a class="callout" href="#wildlife">See the Wildlife</a>
        </div><!-- End .primary-content -->

        <div class="secondary-content t-border group col"> 
      <div class="resorts">
        <img src="img/resort.jpg" alt="Resort">
        <h3>From Tents to Resorts</h3>
        <p>
          Lake Tahoe is full of wonderful places to stay. You have the ability to sleep in the outdoors in a tent, or relax like a king at a five star resort. Here are our top three resorts:
        </p>
        <ul>
          <li><a href="#hotels">Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel</a></li>
          <li><a href="#resorts">South Lake Tahoe Resorts</a></li>
          <li><a href="#lodging">Tahoe Ski Resort Lodging</a></li>
        </ul>       
      </div>

      <div class="tips">
        <img src="img/mtn-landscape.jpg" alt="Mountain Landscape">
        <h3>Pack Accordingly</h3>
        <p>
          One of most important things when it comes to traveling through the great outdoors is packing accordingly. Here are a few tips:
        </p>
        <ol>
          <li>Bring layers of clothing</li>
          <li>Pack sunscreen</li>
          <li>Carry extra water just in case</li>
          <li>Pack light</li>
        </ol>
      </div>

       <div class="tip2">
        <img src="img/mtn-landscape.jpg" alt="Mountain Landscape">
        <h3>third column</h3>
        <p>
          test for third column blah blah eflnflskdnflksndlfknlsdkfn
        </p>

      </div>
        </div><!-- End .secondary-content -->

        <footer class="main-footer">
            <p>All rights reserved to the state of <a href="#">California</a>.</p>
            <a href="#top">Back to top »</a>
        </footer>

</body></html>

css ~~~/* Web Fonts -------------------- */

@font-face { font-family: 'Abolition Regular'; src: url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.eot'); src: url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.eot?#iefix') format('embedded-opentype'), url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.woff') format('woff'), url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.ttf') format('truetype'); }

/* Base Styles -------------------- */

{ box-sizing: border-box; }

body { color: #878787; margin: 0; font: 1em/1.5 "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; }

h1, h2 { font-family: 'Abolition Regular', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; }

h1 {
font-size: 5.625rem; /* 90px/16px */ color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; text-shadow: 0 1px 1px rgba(0,0,0,.8); margin: 12px 0 0; }

h2 { font-size: 3.3125em; /* 53px/16px / font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0 0 .5em; / 0 0 26px */ }

h3 { font-size: 1.25em; /* 20px/16px / color: #48525c; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 1.7em; / 34px */ }

img { max-width: 100%; margin-bottom: 20px; border-radius: 10px; }

ul, ol { margin: 30px 0; }

li { margin-bottom: 10px; }

/* Pseudo-classes ------------------ */

a:link { color: rgb(255, 169, 73); text-decoration: none; }

a:visited { color: lightblue; }

a:hover { color: rgba(255, 169, 73, .4); }

a:active { color: lightcoral; }

/* Main Styles --------------------- */

.main-header { padding-top: 170px; height: 850px; background: linear-gradient(#ffa949, transparent 90%), linear-gradient(0deg, #fff, transparent), #ffa949 url('../img/mountains.jpg') no-repeat center; background-size: cover; }

.title { color: white; font-size: 1.625rem; /* 26px/16px */ letter-spacing: .065em; font-weight: 200; border-bottom: 2px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; }

.intro { font-size: 1.25em; /* 20px/16px */ line-height: 1.6;
}

.primary-content, .main-header, .main-footer, .col { text-align: center; }

.primary-content { padding-top: 25px; padding-bottom: 95px; }

.secondary-content { padding-top: 80px; padding-bottom: 70px; border-bottom: 2px solid #dfe2e6; }

.callout { font-size: 1.25em; border-bottom: 3px solid; padding: 0 9px 3px; margin-top: 20px; display: inline-block; }

.main-footer { padding-top: 60px; padding-bottom: 60px; border-bottom: 10px solid #ffa949; }

.t-border { border-top: 2px solid #dfe2e6; }

/* Layout Styles ------------------ */

.primary-content, .secondary-content { width: 75%; padding-left: 50px; padding-right: 50px; margin: auto; max-width: 960px; }

.wildlife { color: white; text-align: left; padding: 18% 24%; border-top: 10px solid #ffa949; margin: 105px 0 60px; background: #434a52 url('../img/bear.jpg') no-repeat center; background-size: cover; box-shadow: inset 0 0 50px 10px rgba(0,0,0, .8); border-radius: 10px; }

.arrow { width: 50px; margin-top: 150px; }

/* column layout*/

.col { display:inline-block; padding: 20px; }

.resorts, .tips, .tip2 { width: 30%; float: left; padding: 10px; }

/* Floated Columns ------------------

.resorts, .tips, .tips2 { width: 46.5%; }

.tips { float: left; }

.resorts { float: right; }

.tips2 { float: middle; }/ / Float Clearfix ------------------*/

.group:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; }

/* Media Queries -------------------- */

@media (max-width: 1024px) { .primary-content, .secondary-content { width: 90%; } .wildlife { padding: 10% 12%; margin: 50px 0 20px; } }

@media (max-width: 768px) { .primary-content, .secondary-content { width: 100%; padding: 20px; border-top: none; } .main-header { max-height: 380px; padding: 50px 25px 0; } .title { font-size: 1.3rem; border: none; } h1 { font-size: 5rem; line-height: 1.1; } .arrow { display: none; } .intro { font-size: 1rem; } .resorts, .tips { float: none; width: 100%; } .main-footer { padding: 20px 0; } }

Answer 1 · 2015-03-17T07:59:59Z

March 17, 2015 7:59am

Hi Melissa,

The .secondary-content div has a "col" class on it. That sets the div's display property to inline-block. Because of this, "margin: auto" no longer centers the div inside its container. To fix this you can remove the col class or, if you need it there, add "display: block" directly to the .secondary-content declaration.

Hope that helps, Cosmin

Answer 2 · 2015-03-17T15:12:01Z

March 17, 2015 3:12pm

awesome thanks i have all three columns aligning now but i still have this small problem that it isnt exactly centered compared to the other elements. all three columns sit slightly to the left and leave a space on the right. i have tried adding padding and margins but it didnt seem to fixed the problem? also not sure how to make the img in the three columns bigger. i already have the image value to 100%.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html><head>
    <title>Lake Tahoe</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/normalize.css">
    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/style.css">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width">
  </head>
  <body> 
    <header id="top" class="main-header">
      <span class="title">Journey Through the Sierra Nevada Mountains</span>
      <h1>Lake Tahoe, California</h1>
      <img class="arrow" src="img/arrow.svg" alt="Down arrow">
    </header>

        <div class="primary-content t-border">
            <p class="intro">
                Lake Tahoe is one of the most breathtaking attractions located in California. It's home to a number of ski resorts, summer outdoor recreation, and tourist attractions. Snow and skiing are a significant part of the area's reputation.
            </p>
            <a class="callout" href="findoutmore.html">Find out more</a>

      <div class="wildlife">
        <h2>Check out all the Wildlife</h2>
        <p>
          As spawning season approaches, the fish acquire a humpback and protuberant jaw. After spawning, they die and their carcasses provide a feast for gatherings of <a href="#mink">mink</a>, <a href="#bears">bears</a>, and <a href="#eagles">bald eagles</a>.
        </p>
      </div><!-- End .wildlife -->

            <a class="callout" href="#wildlife">See the Wildlife</a>
        </div><!-- End .primary-content -->

        <div class="secondary-content t-border group col"> 
      <div class="resorts">
        <img src="img/resort.jpg" alt="Resort">
        <h3>From Tents to Resorts</h3>
        <p>
          Lake Tahoe is full of wonderful places to stay. You have the ability to sleep in the outdoors in a tent, or relax like a king at a five star resort. Here are our top three resorts:
        </p>
        <ul>
          <li><a href="#hotels">Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel</a></li>
          <li><a href="#resorts">South Lake Tahoe Resorts</a></li>
          <li><a href="#lodging">Tahoe Ski Resort Lodging</a></li>
        </ul>       
      </div>

      <div class="tips">
        <img src="img/mtn-landscape.jpg" alt="Mountain Landscape">
        <h3>Pack Accordingly</h3>
        <p>
          One of most important things when it comes to traveling through the great outdoors is packing accordingly. Here are a few tips:
        </p>
        <ol>
          <li>Bring layers of clothing</li>
          <li>Pack sunscreen</li>
          <li>Carry extra water just in case</li>
          <li>Pack light</li>
        </ol>
      </div>

       <div class="tip2">
        <img src="img/mtn-landscape.jpg" alt="Mountain Landscape">
        <h3>third column</h3>
        <p>
          test for third column blah blah eflnflskdnflksndlfknlsdkfn
        </p>

      </div>
        </div><!-- End .secondary-content -->

        <footer class="main-footer">
            <p>All rights reserved to the state of <a href="#">California</a>.</p>
            <a href="#top">Back to top »</a>
        </footer>

</body></html>

css

/* Web Fonts -------------------- */


@font-face {
  font-family: 'Abolition Regular';
  src: url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.eot');
  src: url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.eot?#iefix') format('embedded-opentype'),
       url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.woff') format('woff'),
       url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.ttf') format('truetype');
}

/* Base Styles -------------------- */

* {
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

body {
  color: #878787;
  margin: 0;
  font: 1em/1.5 "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
}

h1,
h2 {
  font-family: 'Abolition Regular', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
}

h1 {  
  font-size: 5.625rem; /* 90px/16px  */
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1);
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-weight: normal;
  line-height: 1.3; 
  text-shadow: 0 1px 1px rgba(0,0,0,.8);
  margin: 12px 0 0;
}

h2 {
  font-size: 3.3125em; /* 53px/16px  */
  font-weight: normal;
  line-height: 1.1;
  margin: 0 0 .5em; /* 0 0 26px */
}

h3 {
  font-size: 1.25em; /* 20px/16px  */
  color: #48525c;
  line-height: 1.2;
  margin-bottom: 1.7em; /* 34px */
}

img {
  max-width: 100%;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  border-radius: 10px;
}

ul,
ol {
  margin: 30px 0;
}

li {
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

/* Pseudo-classes ------------------ */

a:link {
  color: rgb(255, 169, 73);
  text-decoration: none;
}

a:visited {
  color: lightblue;
}

a:hover {
  color: rgba(255, 169, 73, .4);
}

a:active {
  color: lightcoral;
}

/* Main Styles --------------------- */

.main-header {
  padding-top: 170px;
  height: 850px;
  background: linear-gradient(#ffa949, transparent 90%),
              linear-gradient(0deg, #fff, transparent),
              #ffa949 url('../img/mountains.jpg') no-repeat center;
  background-size: cover;
}

.title {
  color: white;
  font-size: 1.625rem; /* 26px/16px */
  letter-spacing: .065em;
  font-weight: 200;
  border-bottom: 2px solid;
  padding-bottom: 10px;
}

.intro {
  font-size: 1.25em; /* 20px/16px */
  line-height: 1.6;  
}

.primary-content,
.main-header,
.main-footer,
.col {
  text-align: center;
}

.primary-content {
    padding-top: 25px;
  padding-bottom: 95px;
}

.secondary-content {
    padding-top: 80px;
    padding-bottom: 70px;
  border-bottom: 2px solid #dfe2e6;
}

.callout {
  font-size: 1.25em;
  border-bottom: 3px solid;
  padding: 0 9px 3px;
  margin-top: 20px;
  display: inline-block;
}

.main-footer {
  padding-top: 60px;
  padding-bottom: 60px;
  border-bottom: 10px solid #ffa949;
}

.t-border {
  border-top: 2px solid #dfe2e6;
}

/* Layout Styles ------------------ */

.primary-content, 
.secondary-content {
  width: 75%;
  padding-left: 50px;
  padding-right: 50px;
  margin: auto;
  max-width: 960px;
}

.wildlife {
  color: white;
  text-align: left;
  padding: 18% 24%;
  border-top: 10px solid #ffa949;
  margin: 105px 0 60px;
  background: #434a52 url('../img/bear.jpg') no-repeat center;
  background-size: cover;
  box-shadow: inset 0 0 50px 10px rgba(0,0,0, .8);
  border-radius: 10px;
}

.arrow {
  width: 50px;
  margin-top: 150px;
}

/* column layout*/

.col {
  display:block;
  padding: 20px;
}

.resorts,
.tips,
.tip2 {
  width: 30%;
  float: left;
  padding: 10px;
}




/* Floated Columns ------------------ 

.resorts,
.tips,
.tips2 {
  width: 46.5%;
}

.tips {
  float: left;
}

.resorts {
  float: right;
}

.tips2 {
  float: middle;
}*/
/* Float Clearfix ------------------*/

.group:after {
  content: "";
  display: table;
  clear: both;
}

/* Media Queries -------------------- */

@media (max-width: 1024px) {
  .primary-content,
  .secondary-content {
    width: 90%;
  }
  .wildlife {
    padding: 10% 12%;
    margin: 50px 0 20px;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .primary-content,
  .secondary-content {
    width: 100%;
    padding: 20px;
    border-top: none;
  }
  .main-header {
    max-height: 380px;
    padding: 50px 25px 0;
  }
  .title {
    font-size: 1.3rem;
    border: none;
  }
  h1 {
    font-size: 5rem;
    line-height: 1.1;
  }
  .arrow {
    display: none;
  }
  .intro {
    font-size: 1rem;
  }
  .resorts,
  .tips {
    float: none;
    width: 100%;
  }
  .main-footer {
    padding: 20px 0;
  }

Answer 3 · 2015-03-18T04:39:14Z

March 18, 2015 4:39am

figured it out i ended up taking away the col class and changing the .resorts, .tips, tip2. i had to add a margin-left of 18px. still not sure how to increase the picture size but i wanted to get some feedback on my code. am i just doing this the hard way or is there a better cleaner way to do it ?

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html><head>
    <title>Lake Tahoe</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/normalize.css">
    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/style.css">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width">
  </head>
  <body> 
    <header id="top" class="main-header">
      <span class="title">Journey Through the Sierra Nevada Mountains</span>
      <h1>Lake Tahoe, California</h1>
      <img class="arrow" src="img/arrow.svg" alt="Down arrow">
    </header>

        <div class="primary-content t-border">
            <p class="intro">
                Lake Tahoe is one of the most breathtaking attractions located in California. It's home to a number of ski resorts, summer outdoor recreation, and tourist attractions. Snow and skiing are a significant part of the area's reputation.
            </p>
            <a class="callout" href="findoutmore.html">Find out more</a>

      <div class="wildlife">
        <h2>Check out all the Wildlife</h2>
        <p>
          As spawning season approaches, the fish acquire a humpback and protuberant jaw. After spawning, they die and their carcasses provide a feast for gatherings of <a href="#mink">mink</a>, <a href="#bears">bears</a>, and <a href="#eagles">bald eagles</a>.
        </p>
      </div><!-- End .wildlife -->

            <a class="callout" href="#wildlife">See the Wildlife</a>
        </div><!-- End .primary-content -->

        <div class="secondary-content t-border group"> 
      <div class="resorts">
        <img src="img/resort.jpg" alt="Resort">
        <h3>From Tents to Resorts</h3>
        <p>
          Lake Tahoe is full of wonderful places to stay. You have the ability to sleep in the outdoors in a tent, or relax like a king at a five star resort. Here are our top three resorts:
        </p>
        <ul>
          <li><a href="#hotels">Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel</a></li>
          <li><a href="#resorts">South Lake Tahoe Resorts</a></li>
          <li><a href="#lodging">Tahoe Ski Resort Lodging</a></li>
        </ul>       
      </div><!--
-->     <div class="tips">
        <img src="img/mtn-landscape.jpg" alt="Mountain Landscape">
        <h3>Pack Accordingly</h3>
        <p>
          One of most important things when it comes to traveling through the great outdoors is packing accordingly. Here are a few tips:
        </p>
        <ol>
          <li>Bring layers of clothing</li>
          <li>Pack sunscreen</li>
          <li>Carry extra water just in case</li>
          <li>Pack light</li>
        </ol>
      </div><!--
-->
       <div class="tip2">
        <img src="img/mtn-landscape.jpg" alt="Mountain Landscape">
        <h3>third column</h3>
        <p>
          test for third column blah blah eflnflskdnflksndlfknlsdkfn
        </p>

      </div><!--
-->
        </div><!-- End .secondary-content -->

        <footer class="main-footer">
            <p>All rights reserved to the state of <a href="#">California</a>.</p>
            <a href="#top">Back to top »</a>
        </footer>

</body></html>

css

/* Web Fonts -------------------- */


@font-face {
  font-family: 'Abolition Regular';
  src: url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.eot');
  src: url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.eot?#iefix') format('embedded-opentype'),
       url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.woff') format('woff'),
       url('../fonts/abolition-regular-webfont.ttf') format('truetype');
}

/* Base Styles -------------------- */

* {
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

body {
  color: #878787;
  margin: 0;
  font: 1em/1.5 "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
}

h1,
h2 {
  font-family: 'Abolition Regular', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
}

h1 {  
  font-size: 5.625rem; /* 90px/16px  */
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1);
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-weight: normal;
  line-height: 1.3; 
  text-shadow: 0 1px 1px rgba(0,0,0,.8);
  margin: 12px 0 0;
}

h2 {
  font-size: 3.3125em; /* 53px/16px  */
  font-weight: normal;
  line-height: 1.1;
  margin: 0 0 .5em; /* 0 0 26px */
}

h3 {
  font-size: 1.25em; /* 20px/16px  */
  color: #48525c;
  line-height: 1.2;
  margin-bottom: 1.7em; /* 34px */
}

img {
  max-width: 100%;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  border-radius: 10px;
}

ul,
ol {
  margin: 30px 0;
}

li {
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

/* Pseudo-classes ------------------ */

a:link {
  color: rgb(255, 169, 73);
  text-decoration: none;
}

a:visited {
  color: lightblue;
}

a:hover {
  color: rgba(255, 169, 73, .4);
}

a:active {
  color: lightcoral;
}

/* Main Styles --------------------- */

.main-header {
  padding-top: 170px;
  height: 850px;
  background: linear-gradient(#ffa949, transparent 90%),
              linear-gradient(0deg, #fff, transparent),
              #ffa949 url('../img/mountains.jpg') no-repeat center;
  background-size: cover;
}

.title {
  color: white;
  font-size: 1.625rem; /* 26px/16px */
  letter-spacing: .065em;
  font-weight: 200;
  border-bottom: 2px solid;
  padding-bottom: 10px;
}

.intro {
  font-size: 1.25em; /* 20px/16px */
  line-height: 1.6;  
}

.primary-content,
.main-header,
.main-footer,
.col {
  text-align: center;
}

.primary-content {
    padding-top: 25px;
  padding-bottom: 95px;
}

.secondary-content {
    padding-top: 80px;
    padding-bottom: 70px;
  border-bottom: 2px solid #dfe2e6;
}

.callout {
  font-size: 1.25em;
  border-bottom: 3px solid;
  padding: 0 9px 3px;
  margin-top: 20px;
  display: inline-block;
}

.main-footer {
  padding-top: 60px;
  padding-bottom: 60px;
  border-bottom: 10px solid #ffa949;
}

.t-border {
  border-top: 2px solid #dfe2e6;
}

/* Layout Styles ------------------ */

.primary-content, 
.secondary-content {
  width: 75%;
  padding-left: 50px;
  padding-right: 50px;
  margin: auto;
  max-width: 960px;
}

.wildlife {
  color: white;
  text-align: left;
  padding: 18% 24%;
  border-top: 10px solid #ffa949;
  margin: 105px 0 60px;
  background: #434a52 url('../img/bear.jpg') no-repeat center;
  background-size: cover;
  box-shadow: inset 0 0 50px 10px rgba(0,0,0, .8);
  border-radius: 10px;
}

.arrow {
  width: 50px;
  margin-top: 150px;
}

/* column layout*/

.resorts,
.tips,
.tip2 {
  width: 30%;
  float: left;
  padding: 20px;
  margin-left: 19px;
}


/* Floated Columns ------------------ 

.resorts,
.tips,
.tips2 {
  width: 46.5%;
}

.tips {
  float: left;
}

.resorts {
  float: right;
}

.tips2 {
  float: middle;
}*/
/* Float Clearfix ------------------*/

.group:after {
  content: "";
  display: table;
  clear: both;
}

/* Media Queries -------------------- */

@media (max-width: 1024px) {
  .primary-content,
  .secondary-content {
    width: 90%;
  }
  .wildlife {
    padding: 10% 12%;
    margin: 50px 0 20px;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .primary-content,
  .secondary-content {
    width: 100%;
    padding: 20px;
    border-top: none;
  }
  .main-header {
    max-height: 380px;
    padding: 50px 25px 0;
  }
  .title {
    font-size: 1.3rem;
    border: none;
  }
  h1 {
    font-size: 5rem;
    line-height: 1.1;
  }
  .arrow {
    display: none;
  }
  .intro {
    font-size: 1rem;
  }
  .resorts,
  .tips {
    float: none;
    width: 100%;
  }
  .main-footer {
    padding: 20px 0;
  }

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melissa brown

melissa brown

centering columns

3 Answers

Cosmin Cioaclă

Cosmin Cioaclă

melissa brown

melissa brown

melissa brown

melissa brown