Position icons into circle

Html Problem Overview

How can I position several <img> elements into a circle around another and have those elements all be clickable links as well? I want it to look like the picture below, but I have no idea how to achieve that effect.

Desired Result

Is this even possible?

Html Solutions

Solution 1 - Html

2020 solution

Here's a more modern solution I use these days.

I start off by generating the HTML starting from an array of images. Whether the HTML is generated using PHP, JS, some HTML preprocessor, whatever... this matters less as the basic idea behind is the same.

Here's the Pug code that would do this:

//- start with an array of images, described by url and alt text
- let imgs = [
- 	{
- 		src: 'image_url.jpg', 
- 		alt: 'image alt text'
- 	} /* and so on, add more images here */
- ];
- let n_imgs = imgs.length;
- let has_mid = 1; /* 0 if there's no item in the middle, 1 otherwise */
- let m = n_imgs - has_mid; /* how many are ON the circle */
- let tan = Math.tan(Math.PI/m); /* tangent of half the base angle */

.container(style=`--m: ${m}; --tan: ${+tan.toFixed(2)}`)
	- for(let i = 0; i < n_imgs; i++)
		a(href='#' style=i - has_mid >= 0 ? `--i: ${i}` : null)
          img(src=imgs[i].src alt=imgs[i].alt)

The generated HTML looks as follows (and yes, you can write the HTML manually too, but it's going to be a pain to make changes afterwards):

<div class="container" style="--m: 8; --tan: 0.41">
  <a href='#'>
    <img src="image_mid.jpg" alt="alt text"/>
  </a>
  <a style="--i: 1">
    <img src="first_img_on_circle.jpg" alt="alt text"/>
  </a>
  <!-- the rest of those placed on the circle -->
</div>

In the CSS, we decide on a size for the images, let's say 8em. The --m items are positioned on a circle and it's if they're in the middle of the edges of a polygon of --m edges, all of which are tangent to the circle.

If you have a hard time picturing that, you can play with this interactive demo which constructs the incircle and circumcircle for various polygons whose number of edges you pick by dragging the slider.

This tells us that the size of the container must be twice the radius of the circle plus twice half the size of the images.

We don't yet know the radius, but we can compute it if we know the number of edges (and therefore the tangent of half the base angle, precomputed and set as a custom property --tan) and the polygon edge. We probably want the polygon edge to be a least the size of the images, but how much we leave on the sides is arbitrary. Let's say we have half the image size on each side, so the polygon edge is twice the image size. This gives us the following CSS:

.container {
  --d: 6.5em; /* image size */
  --rel: 1; /* how much extra space we want between images, 1 = one image size */
  --r: calc(.5*(1 + var(--rel))*var(--d)/var(--tan)); /* circle radius */
  --s: calc(2*var(--r) + var(--d)); /* container size */
  position: relative;
  width: var(--s); height: var(--s);
  background: silver /* to show images perfectly fit in container */
}

.container a {
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%; left: 50%;
  margin: calc(-.5*var(--d));
  width: var(--d); height: var(--d);
  --az: calc(var(--i)*1turn/var(--m));
  transform: 
    rotate(var(--az)) 
    translate(var(--r))
    rotate(calc(-1*var(--az)))
}

img { max-width: 100% }

See the old solution for an explanation of how the transform chain works.

This way, adding or removing an image from the array of images automatically arranges the new number of images on a circle such that they're equally spaced out and also adjusts the size of the container. You can test this in this demo.

OLD solution (preserved for historical reasons)

Yes, it is very much possible and very simple using just CSS. You just need to have clear in mind the angles at which you want the links with the images (I've added a piece of code at the end just for showing the angles whenever you hover one of them).

You first need a wrapper. I set its diameter to be 24em (width: 24em; height: 24em; does that), you can set it to whatever you want. You give it position: relative;.

You then position your links with the images in the center of that wrapper, both horizontally and vertically. You do that by setting position: absolute; and then top: 50%; left: 50%; and margin: -2em; (where 2em is half the width of the link with the image, which I've set to be 4em - again, you can change it to whatever you wish, but don't forget to change the margin in that case).

You then decide on the angles at which you want to have your links with the images and you add a class deg{desired_angle} (for example deg0 or deg45 or whatever). Then for each such class you apply chained CSS transforms, like this:

.deg{desired_angle} {
   transform: rotate({desired_angle}) translate(12em) rotate(-{desired_angle});
}

where you replace {desired_angle} with 0, 45, and so on...

The first rotate transform rotates the object and its axes, the translate transform translates the object along the rotated X axis and the second rotate transform brings back the object into position.

The advantage of this method is that it is flexible. You can add new images at different angles without altering the current structure.

CODE SNIPPET

    .circle-container {
    	position: relative;
    	width: 24em;
    	height: 24em;
    	padding: 2.8em;
        /*2.8em = 2em*1.4 (2em = half the width of a link with img, 1.4 = sqrt(2))*/
    	border: dashed 1px;
    	border-radius: 50%;
    	margin: 1.75em auto 0;
    }
    .circle-container a {
    	display: block;
    	position: absolute;
    	top: 50%; left: 50%;
    	width: 4em; height: 4em;
    	margin: -2em;
    }
    .circle-container img { display: block; width: 100%; }
    .deg0 { transform: translate(12em); } /* 12em = half the width of the wrapper */
    .deg45 { transform: rotate(45deg) translate(12em) rotate(-45deg); }
    .deg135 { transform: rotate(135deg) translate(12em) rotate(-135deg); }
    .deg180 { transform: translate(-12em); }
    .deg225 { transform: rotate(225deg) translate(12em) rotate(-225deg); }
    .deg315 { transform: rotate(315deg) translate(12em) rotate(-315deg); }

    <div class='circle-container'>
    	<a href='#' class='center'><img src='image.jpg'></a>
    	<a href='#' class='deg0'><img src='image.jpg'></a>
    	<a href='#' class='deg45'><img src='image.jpg'></a>
    	<a href='#' class='deg135'><img src='image.jpg'></a>
    	<a href='#' class='deg180'><img src='image.jpg'></a>
    	<a href='#' class='deg225'><img src='image.jpg'></a>
    	<a href='#' class='deg315'><img src='image.jpg'></a>
    </div>

Also, you could further simplify the HTML by using background images for the links instead of using img tags.

EDIT: example with fallback for IE8 and older (tested in IE8 and IE7)

Solution 2 - Html

Here is the easy solution without absolute positioning:

.container .row {
  margin: 20px;
  text-align: center;
}

.container .row img {
  margin: 0 20px;
}

<div class="container">
  <div class="row">
    <img src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/s2/oz/images/faviconr2.ico" alt="" width="64" height="64">
    <img src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/s2/oz/images/faviconr2.ico" alt="" width="64" height="64">
  </div>
  <div class="row">
    <img src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/s2/oz/images/faviconr2.ico" alt="" width="64" height="64">
    <img src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/s2/oz/images/faviconr2.ico" alt="" width="64" height="64">
    <img src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/s2/oz/images/faviconr2.ico" alt="" width="64" height="64">
  </div>
  <div class="row">
    <img src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/s2/oz/images/faviconr2.ico" alt="" width="64" height="64">
    <img src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/s2/oz/images/faviconr2.ico" alt="" width="64" height="64">
  </div>
</div>

http://jsfiddle.net/mD6H6/

Solution 3 - Html

Using the solution proposed by @Ana:

transform: rotate(${angle}deg) translate(${radius}px) rotate(-${angle}deg)

I created the following jsFiddle that places circles dynamically using plain JavaScript (jQuery version also available).

The way it works is rather simple:

document.querySelectorAll( '.ciclegraph' ).forEach( ( ciclegraph )=>{
  let circles = ciclegraph.querySelectorAll( '.circle' )
  let angle = 360-90, dangle = 360 / circles.length
  for( let i = 0; i < circles.length; ++i ){
    let circle = circles[i]
    angle += dangle
    circle.style.transform = `rotate(${angle}deg) translate(${ciclegraph.clientWidth / 2}px) rotate(-${angle}deg)`
  }
})

.ciclegraph {
  position: relative;
  width: 500px;
  height: 500px;
  margin: calc(100px / 2 + 0px);
}

.ciclegraph:before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 0;
  border: 2px solid teal;
  width: calc( 100% - 2px * 2);
  height: calc( 100% - 2px * 2 );
  border-radius: 50%;
}

.ciclegraph .circle {
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%; left: 50%;
  width: 100px;
  height: 100px;
  margin: calc( -100px / 2 );
  background: teal;
  border-radius: 50%;
}

<div class="ciclegraph">
  <div class="circle"></div>
  <div class="circle"></div>
  <div class="circle"></div>
  <div class="circle"></div>
  <div class="circle"></div>
  <div class="circle"></div>
</div>

Solution 4 - Html

Building off @Ana's excellent answer, I created this dynamic version that allows you to add and remove elements from the DOM and maintain proportionate spacing between the elements - check out my fiddle: https://jsfiddle.net/skwidbreth/q59s90oy/

var list = $("#list");

var updateLayout = function(listItems) {
  for (var i = 0; i < listItems.length; i++) {
    var offsetAngle = 360 / listItems.length;
    var rotateAngle = offsetAngle * i;
    $(listItems[i]).css("transform", "rotate(" + rotateAngle + "deg) translate(0, -200px) rotate(-" + rotateAngle + "deg)")
  };
};

$(document).on("click", "#add-item", function() {
  var listItem = $("<li class='list-item'>Things go here<button class='remove-item'>Remove</button></li>");
  list.append(listItem);
  var listItems = $(".list-item");
  updateLayout(listItems);

});

$(document).on("click", ".remove-item", function() {
  $(this).parent().remove();
  var listItems = $(".list-item");
  updateLayout(listItems);
});

#list {
  background-color: blue;
  height: 400px;
  width: 400px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  position: relative;
}

.list-item {
  list-style: none;
  background-color: red;
  height: 50px;
  width: 50px;
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
}

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>

<ul id="list"></ul>
<button id="add-item">Add item</button>

Solution 5 - Html

Here is a version I made in React from the examples here.

CodeSandbox Example

import React, { useRef, useEffect } from "react";

import "./styles.css";

export default function App() {
  const graph = useRef(null);

  useEffect(() => {
    const ciclegraph = graph.current;
    const circleElements = ciclegraph.childNodes;

    let angle = 360 - 90;
    let dangle = 360 / circleElements.length;

    for (let i = 0; i < circleElements.length; i++) {
      let circle = circleElements[i];
      angle += dangle;
      circle.style.transform = `rotate(${angle}deg) translate(${ciclegraph.clientWidth /
        2}px) rotate(-${angle}deg)`;
    }
  }, []);

  return (
    <div className="App">
      <div className="ciclegraph" ref={graph}>
        <div className="circle" />
        <div className="circle" />
        <div className="circle" />
        <div className="circle" />
        <div className="circle" />
        <div className="circle" />
      </div>
    </div>
  );
}

Solution 6 - Html

You can certainly do it with pure css or use JavaScript. My suggestion:

If you already know that the images number will never change just calculate your styles and go with plain css (pros: better performances, very reliable)
If the number can vary either dynamically in your app or just may vary in the future go with a Js solution (pros: more future-proof)

I had a similar job to do, so I created a script and open sourced it here on Github for anyone who might need it. It just accepts some configuration values and simply outputs the CSS code you need.

If you want to go for the Js solution here's a simple pointer that can be useful to you. Using this html as a starting point being #box the container and .dot the image/div in the middle you want all your other images around:

Starting html:

    <div id="box">
      <div class="dot"></div>
      <img src="my-img.jpg">
      <!-- all the other images you need-->
    </div>

Starting Css:

     #box{
      width: 400px;
      height: 400px;
      position: relative;
      border-radius: 100%;
      border: 1px solid teal;
    }

    .dot{
        position: absolute;
        border-radius: 100%;
        width: 40px;
        height: 40px;
        left: 50%;
        top: 50%;
        margin-left: -20px;
        margin-top: -20px;
        background: rebeccapurple;
    }
    img{
      width: 40px;
      height: 40px;
      position: absolute;
    }

You can create a quick function along these lines:

    var circle = document.getElementById('box'),
        imgs = document.getElementsByTagName('img'),
        total = imgs.length,
        coords = {},
        diam, radius1, radius2, imgW;
    
    // get circle diameter
    // getBoundingClientRect outputs the actual px AFTER transform
    //      using getComputedStyle does the job as we want
    diam = parseInt( window.getComputedStyle(circle).getPropertyValue('width') ),
    radius = diam/2,
    imgW = imgs[0].getBoundingClientRect().width,
    // get the dimensions of the inner circle we want the images to align to
    radius2 = radius - imgW
    
    var i,
        alpha = Math.PI / 2,
        len = imgs.length,
        corner = 2 * Math.PI / total;
    
    // loop over the images and assign the correct css props
    for ( i = 0 ; i < total; i++ ){
    
      imgs[i].style.left = parseInt( ( radius - imgW / 2 ) + ( radius2 * Math.cos( alpha ) ) ) + 'px'
      imgs[i].style.top =  parseInt( ( radius - imgW / 2 ) - ( radius2 * Math.sin( alpha ) ) ) + 'px'
    
      alpha = alpha - corner;
    }

You can see a live example here

Solution 7 - Html

There is no way to magically place clickable items in a circle around another element with CSS. The way how I would do this is by using a container with position:relative;. And then place all the elements with position:absolute; and using top and left to target it's place.

Even though you haven't placed [tag:jquery] in your tags it might be best to use jQuery / javascript for this.

First step is placing your center image perfectly in the center of the container using position:relative;.

#centerImage {
  position:absolute;
  top:50%;
  left:50%;
  width:200px;
  height:200px;
  margin: -100px 0 0 -100px;
}

After that you can place the other elements around it by using an offset() of the centerImage minus the offset() of the container. Giving you the exact top and left of the image.

var left = $('#centerImage').offset().left - $('#centerImage').parent().offset().left;
var top = $('#centerImage').offset().top - $('#centerImage').parent().offset().top;
    
$('#surroundingElement1').css({
  'left': left - 50,
  'top': top - 50 
});

$('#surroundingElement2').css({
  'left': left - 50,
  'top': top 
});

$('#surroundingElement3').css({
  'left': left - 50,
  'top': top + 50 
});

What I've done here is placing the elements relative to the centerImage. Hope this helps.

Solution 8 - Html

You could do it like this: fiddle

Don't mind the positioning, its a quick example

Content Type	Original Author	Original Content on Stackoverflow
Question	FatalKeystroke	View Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - Html	Ana	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - Html	gkond	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 3 - Html	Itay Grudev	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 4 - Html	skwidbreth	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 5 - Html	br3ntor	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 6 - Html	Aurelio	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 7 - Html	Sem	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 8 - Html	Mark	View Answer on Stackoverflow