# Painting order

The sequence the browser paints things: backgrounds, borders, text, outlines.

## What is the **painting order**?

The **painting order** is the exact sequence the browser paints each part of each element on screen: backgrounds, borders, floats, text, outlines.

```css
.box { background: gold; outline: 2px solid red; }   /* the outline is painted after the content */
```

Level: Master · [More CSS terms at this level](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/subjects/css/master)

Updated: September 27, 2026

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/painting-order