# Max Width ## Introduction The `Max Width` variable sets the maximum width in pixels. The value is applied after all other layout so it can be used to overwrite automatically-assigned width. By default this value is `` which means there is no `Max Width`.

If `Max Width` is assigned (not ``), then the effective width cannot be larger than the `Max Width` value. The following animation shows that width is limited to a `Max Width` of `100`.

`Max Width` set to `100` limits the ColoredRectangle's width

Notice that the `Width` variable can still be set to a value larger than `Max Width`, but it does not apply visually. `Max Width` can also be used if `Width Units` is set to values other than `Absolute`. For example, `Max Width` can be used to limit the width of a ColoredRectangle when `Width Units` is `Relative to Parent`.

ColoredRectangle's width limited by its `Max Width` of `100`

## Max Width and Relative to Children Note that Max Width can prevent a container from growing according to its children. For more information, see the [Relative to Children Width Units page](https://docs.flatredball.com/gum/gum-tool/gum-elements/width-units#relative-to-children).