atan()

The atan() CSS function is a trigonometric function that returns the inverse tangent of a number between -∞ and +∞. The function contains a single calculation that returns an {{cssxref("angle")}} between -90deg and 90deg.

Syntax

/* Single <number> values */
transform: rotate(atan(1));
transform: rotate(atan(4 * 50));

/* Other values */
transform: rotate(atan(pi / 2));
transform: rotate(atan(e * 3));

Parameters

The atan(number) function accepts only one value as its parameter.

• number
  • : A calculation which resolves to a {{cssxref("<number>")}} between -∞ and +∞.

Return value

The inverse tangent of a number will always return an {{cssxref("angle")}} between -90deg and 90deg.

• If number is 0⁻, the result is 0⁻.
• If number is +∞ the result is 90deg.
• If number is -∞ the result is -90deg.

That is:

• atan(-infinity) representing -90deg.
• atan(-1) representing -45deg
• atan(0) representing 0deg
• atan(1) representing 45deg
• atan(infinity) representing 90deg.

Formal syntax

{{CSSSyntax}}

Examples

Rotate elements

The atan() function can be used to {{cssxref("transform-function/rotate", "rotate")}} elements as it return an {{cssxref("angle")}}.

HTML

<div class="box box-1"></div>
<div class="box box-2"></div>
<div class="box box-3"></div>
<div class="box box-4"></div>
<div class="box box-5"></div>

CSS

body {
  height: 100vh;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 50px;
}

div.box {
  width: 100px;
  height: 100px;
  background: linear-gradient(orange, red);
}
div.box-1 {
  transform: rotate(atan(-99999));
}
div.box-2 {
  transform: rotate(atan(-1));
}
div.box-3 {
  transform: rotate(atan(0));
}
div.box-4 {
  transform: rotate(atan(1));
}
div.box-5 {
  transform: rotate(atan(99999));
}

Result

{{EmbedLiveSample('Rotate elements', '100%', '200px')}}

Specifications

{{Specifications}}

Browser compatibility

{{Compat}}

See also

• {{CSSxRef("sin")}}
• {{CSSxRef("cos")}}
• {{CSSxRef("tan")}}
• {{CSSxRef("asin")}}
• {{CSSxRef("acos")}}
• {{CSSxRef("atan2")}}