A mnemonic for the order of CSS margin and padding shorthand properties
CssMnemonicsCss Problem Overview
I can never remember the order of the shorthand property for setting the margin or padding in one declaration. That is:
margin-top: 2px;
margin-bottom: 4px;
margin-left: 3px;
margin-right: 8px;
may be written as
margin: 2px 8px 4px 3px;
Yes I understand that one can visualise the order by thinking of a clock, starting at midday and moving clockwise. But I keep forgetting about that. I need to recall the order top, right, bottom, left textually.
Hence, T R B L.
Something like This [R-noun] [B-verb] [L-nouns] is perhaps the way to go but I feel myself lacking inspiration. If anyone has come across a useful mnemonic for this I'd love to hear it. Like a good meme, I'm sure once I get something lodged in my brain I will be unlikely to forget it.
Css Solutions
Solution 1 - Css
If you don't get it right, there will be TRouBLe
Solution 2 - Css
Actually the clock thing works perfectly. It is the most intuitive way to remember it, at least for me.
Solution 3 - Css
Tricky Rectangle Border Logic ?
Solution 4 - Css
Why don't just remember that the order goes clockwise starting from the TOP:
TOP -> RIGHT -> BOTTOM -> LEFT
Solution 5 - Css
Another attempt:
Tyrannosaurus Rex : Big Lizard
Solution 6 - Css
The Really Big Lebowski
Solution 7 - Css
Just think clockwise, it's the easiest way. Starts at the top and goes around... much easier to remember than some silly phrase (provided you know how to read a clock...)
Solution 8 - Css
T R o u B L e.
Solution 9 - Css
Timewise Rotation, Bit Lame?
Solution 10 - Css
Try Roast Beef Leftovers ?
Solution 11 - Css
"Top,Right,Bottom,Left"
Really
Bad
Limerick
Solution 12 - Css
The clock trick works for the 4 number shortcut, but is there any logic to the 3 and 2 number shortcuts? 1 number and it applies to everything, and that makes sense, but
1 = (T/R/b/l)
2 = (T=b) (R=l)
3 = (T) (R=l) (b)
4 = (T) (R) (b) (l)
It just doesn't seem logical at all. But... First value pertains to Top, Second pertains to the Right, Third is the bottom and Fourth is the left; A number is not specified if it's the same as its opposite. Horizontal and vertical MUST be declared unless all values are identical.
In other words, you always specify the Top and Right values, bottom and left fall in as required.
Solution 13 - Css
Think that you're reading Arabii or Hebrew: read from the top of the page, right to left to the bottom. ;P The good thing about this "rule" is that it works for the 3 value version too:
top right-and-left bottom
Actually, i allso thought it was hard to remember, but as soon as I discovered it was the direction of the clock it was easier.
Solution 14 - Css
TRouBLe is best for me. And if only 3 values are shown, it's Top, Sides, Bottom - which for UK users spells TSB (the bank the government had to bail out using our money) - so TRouBLe and TSB are closely linked!
Solution 15 - Css
TROUBLE is always a secondary reminder for me, since I first think of the clockwise direction but might need to remember where you start; however, the 3-value shorthand was always confusing me until I realized the middle, (or second) value needs to represent two values (the sides). So, three values - the 2nd being 2 values - helps me remember that.
Solution 16 - Css
It is
top
right
bottom
left
not what you have
Think Right Before you Leap
Solution 17 - Css
Theres always the town of TRumBuLl Connecticut
Solution 18 - Css
Top Ramen, Bottom, Lunch
Solution 19 - Css
Remember driving lesson:
Turn Right Before Left
Solution 20 - Css
If you're old enough to remember the original Star Trek TV series (you know, with Capt Kirk), well first of all, you're too damn old. But there is "The Trouble with Tribbles" episode. Both nouns in the title work. I've used that in the past, but also prefer the clock analogy.
Solution 21 - Css
Whenever you strike with a given situation, just think of a clock-wise rotation i.e., way the clock rotates from 0 to 60 in a circular rotation.
Clock thing is easier to remember than the word TRouBLe (as marked answer) in my opinion since the word trouble belongs to English language and all those minds native to English language might find it easier to remember the word TRouBLe in relevancy to the given situation but not others who only use English language when they really have to.
Same is not true with clock-wise rotation of a clock, when it comes to remembering something (as asked it the question) since clock-wise-rotation is a very well-known phenomena world-wise.
Solution 22 - Css
A few abbreviations (one may consider the one which sounds familiar):
- TROUBLE (TROUBLESHOOT,TROUBLESOME)
- TERRIBLE
- TRIBBLE
- The Royal British Legion
- Tobacco Road Basketball League
- Temporary Revenue Borrowing Limit
- Transformational Rule-Based Learning