# CSS Layout questions

**URL:** <https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/css-layout-questions/24715>\
**Category:** Learn\
**Created:** [December 13, 2017, 11:17am UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/css-layout-questions/24715 "2017-12-13T11:17:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![maurodibert](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/discourse.mozilla.org/maurodibert/32/23004_2.png) [@maurodibert](https://discourse.mozilla.org/u/maurodibert)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 11:17am UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/css-layout-questions/24715/1 "2017-12-13T11:17:24Z")

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Hi Chris! I’m in the CSS Layout part of the course and didn’t understad **why the _p_ element gets shorter when it’s in an absolute position**. Look at the example from the course:

 ![why is shorter](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/mozilla/original/3X/7/5/752ccfc941b3fdfc3fef638f450830808ba71b40.JPG)

Thanks @chrisdavidmills 😉

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**Author:** ![chrisdavidmills](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/discourse.mozilla.org/chrisdavidmills/32/21688_2.png) [@chrisdavidmills](https://discourse.mozilla.org/u/chrisdavidmills)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/css-layout-questions/24715/2 "2017-12-13T21:01:47Z")

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Hi Mauro!

This is because when it is not positioned, it spans 100% of the width of its parent element (body) by default. But it has no specific width set on it.

When you absolutely position it, it is removed from the document flow, and therefore isn’t sized in relation to anything. In this case it is sized relative to the size of its content.

does that make sense, or do you still need more? I ought to update the docs to cover it too, maybe?

Best regards.

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**Author:** ![maurodibert](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/discourse.mozilla.org/maurodibert/32/23004_2.png) [@maurodibert](https://discourse.mozilla.org/u/maurodibert)\
**Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 10:58am UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/css-layout-questions/24715/3 "2017-12-16T10:58:49Z")

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Super hyper extra clear Chris! 😉