How to use floating image in HTML page?

To use a floating image in HTML, use the CSS float property. It allows you to position an image to the left or right side of its container, causing surrounding text to wrap around the image naturally.

Syntax

Following is the syntax for the CSS float property −

img {
   float: value;
}

Alternatively, you can apply it inline −

<img src="image.jpg" style="float: left;">

Float Property Values

The float property accepts the following values −

Property Value Description
none Default value. The element is not floated and appears in its normal position.
left The image floats to the left side of its container, with text wrapping around the right side.
right The image floats to the right side of its container, with text wrapping around the left side.
initial Sets the property to its default value (same as none).
inherit Inherits the float value from its parent element.
CSS Float Property Visualization float: left Image Text flows around the right side of the floated image float: right Image Text flows around the left side of the floated image float: none Image Text appears below the image in normal flow

Float Left Example

Following example demonstrates how to float an image to the left −

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <title>Float Left Image</title>
</head>
<body style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 20px; line-height: 1.6;">
   <h2>Float Left Example</h2>
   <p>
      <img src="https://www.tutorialspoint.com/green/images/logo.png" 
           style="float: left; margin-right: 15px;" 
           width="120" height="53" alt="TutorialsPoint Logo" />
      This is demo text that wraps around the left-floated image. 
      The image appears on the left side of the container, and the 
      text flows naturally around it on the right side. This creates 
      a professional layout commonly used in articles and web pages. 
      You can see how the text continues to wrap around the image 
      until it reaches the bottom of the image.
   </p>
</body>
</html>

The output shows the image positioned to the left with text wrapping around it on the right side −

Float Left Example

[Logo] This is demo text that wraps around the left-floated image. The image 
       appears on the left side of the container, and the text flows naturally 
       around it on the right side. This creates a professional layout commonly 
       used in articles and web pages.

Float Right Example

Following example demonstrates how to float an image to the right −

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <title>Float Right Image</title>
</head>
<body style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 20px; line-height: 1.6;">
   <h2>Float Right Example</h2>
   <p>
      <img src="https://www.tutorialspoint.com/green/images/logo.png" 
           style="float: right; margin-left: 15px;" 
           width="120" height="53" alt="TutorialsPoint Logo" />
      This is demo text that wraps around the right-floated image. 
      The image appears on the right side of the container, and the 
      text flows naturally around it on the left side. Float right 
      is commonly used for sidebar content, author photos, or 
      decorative elements that should appear alongside the main text.
   </p>
</body>
</html>

The output shows the image positioned to the right with text wrapping around it on the left side −

Float Right Example

This is demo text that wraps around the right-floated image. The image        [Logo]
appears on the right side of the container, and the text flows naturally 
around it on the left side. Float right is commonly used for sidebar content.

Using CSS Classes for Float

Instead of inline styles, it's better practice to use CSS classes for floating images −

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <title>Float with CSS Classes</title>
   <style>
      .float-left {
         float: left;
         margin-right: 15px;
         margin-bottom: 10px;
      }
      .float-right {
         float: right;
         margin-left: 15px;
         margin-bottom: 10px;
      }
      .clearfix {
         clear: both;
      }
   </style>
</head>
<body style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 20px; line-height: 1.6;">
   <h2>CSS Classes for Floating</h2>
   <p>
      <img src="https://www.tutorialspoint.com/green/images/logo.png" 
           class="float-left" width="100" height="44" alt="Logo" />
      This paragraph uses a CSS class to float the image left. Using classes 
      makes it easier to maintain consistent styling across multiple images.
   </p>
   <div class="clearfix"></div>
   <p>
      <img src="https://www.tutorialspoint.com/green/images/logo.png" 
           class="float-right" width="100" height="44" alt="Logo" />
      This paragraph uses a CSS class to float the image right. The clearfix 
      div above ensures proper spacing between sections.
   </p>
</body>
</html>

This approach provides better maintainability and consistent spacing through margin properties.

Clearing Floats

Sometimes you need to stop text from wrapping around floated images. Use the clear property −

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <title>Clearing Floats</title>
</head>
<body style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 20px; line-height: 1.6;">
   <h2>Before Clear</h2>
   <p>
      <img src="https://www.tutorialspoint.com/green/images/logo.png" 
           style="float: left; margin-right: 15px;" 
           width="100" height="44" alt="Logo" />
      This text wraps around the floated image.
   </p>
   <h2 style="clear: left;">After Clear</h2>
   <p>This heading uses clear: left, so it appears below the floated image instead of wrapping around it.</p>
</body>
</html>

The clear: left property forces the heading to appear below the floated image rather than beside it.

Key Points

  • Use margin properties to add spacing around floated images for better readability.

  • Always include the alt attribute for accessibility.

  • Use clear: both to ensure elements appear below all floated content.

  • Modern CSS alternatives like Flexbox and CSS Grid often provide better layout control than floats.

  • Floated elements are removed from the normal document flow, which can affect surrounding element positioning.

Conclusion

The CSS float property allows images to be positioned left or right within their container, with text wrapping naturally around them. While float was traditionally used for layouts, it remains useful for positioning images within text content. Use appropriate margin spacing and clear properties to control the layout effectively.

Updated on: 2026-03-16T21:38:53+05:30

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