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Is there a vr (vertical rule) in html?

html
responsive-design
css
best-practices
Anton ShumikhinbyAnton Shumikhin·Oct 28, 2024
TLDR

There is no dedicated <vr> tag in HTML for vertical lines, but you can produce one using CSS with <div>. Here's how:

<div style="height: 100px; width: 0; border-left: 1px solid #000;"></div>

The result is a sleek, black vertical line. Customize height and border-left to make it conform to your design goals.

Understanding the lack of vr in HTML and available alternatives

Why isn't there a <vr> in HTML?

Simply put, HTML prioritizes content over layout, hence no <vr> tag. The task of visual layout is mostly handled by CSS and not HTML.

Crafting vertical separation using HTML and CSS

Is <vr> missing? No worries. It's CSS to the rescue! A div or span element can be styled using CSS to work as a makeshift <vr>. Experiment with the properties of CSS borders and play with the display method to create an aesthetically pleasing vertical separation.

Innovative approaches to vertical ruling

With the absence of <vr>, creative developers — like Nixinova — used advanced CSS functions like flexbox and grid to construct vertical rules. Stack Overflow is a goldmine for these ingenious CSS solutions. Just remember to consider cross-browser compatibility when using CSS for visual effects.

Maintaining site accessibility with vertical lines

Keeping your website accessible is key. A 1px wide image could work as a fallback for text-only browsers. Use aria-hidden to keep screen readers from attempting (and failing) to narrate your decorative dividers.

Building and optimizing a vertical rule in CSS

Using classes for maintainability

Creating a class for our divider gives us the power to easily adjust our vertical line's appearance:

.vertical-rule { border-left: 2px solid #ccc; height: auto; /* adjust as per parent */ margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; }

Apply this class to a div and voila, we have a smooth, easily adjustable vertical rule!

The magic of HR

Surprisingly, our good old <hr> can be tweaked to work as a vertical rule with the right CSS enhancements:

.hr-vertical { width: 1px; height: 50vh; display: inline-block; border: none; background-color: black; }

Who knew <hr> could beat its horizontal restrictions?

Responsive design is key

CSS media queries ensure your vertical rule obeys the laws of responsive design:

@media (max-width: 600px) { .divider { height: 50px; /* adjusting for smaller screens */ } }

Now you have a responsive vertical rule that looks good on every device!