<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "macOS: 10.11.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "AppKit",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutYAxisAnchor",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Class",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Class",
    "modules" : [
      "AppKit"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:objc(cs)NSLayoutYAxisAnchor"
  },
  "title" : "NSLayoutYAxisAnchor"
}
-->

# NSLayoutYAxisAnchor

A factory class for creating vertical layout constraint objects using a fluent API.

```
class NSLayoutYAxisAnchor
```

## Overview

[`NSLayoutYAxisAnchor`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutYAxisAnchor) adds type information to the methods inherited from [`NSLayoutAnchor`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutAnchor). Specifically, the generic methods declared by [`NSLayoutAnchor`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutAnchor) must now take a matching [`NSLayoutYAxisAnchor`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutYAxisAnchor) object.

```swift
// This constraint is valid
cancelButton.topAnchor.constraintEqualToAnchor(saveButton.topAnchor, constant: 8.0).isActive = true
 
// This constraint generates an incompatible pointer type warning
cancelButton.topAnchor.constraintEqualToAnchor(saveButton.trailingAnchor, constant: 8.0).isActive = true
```

For more information on using layout anchors, see [`NSLayoutAnchor`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutAnchor).

## Topics

### Building system spacing constraints

[`constraint(equalToSystemSpacingBelow:multiplier:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutYAxisAnchor/constraint(equalToSystemSpacingBelow:multiplier:))

Returns a constraint that defines the specific distance at which the current anchor is positioned below the specified anchor.

[`constraint(greaterThanOrEqualToSystemSpacingBelow:multiplier:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutYAxisAnchor/constraint(greaterThanOrEqualToSystemSpacingBelow:multiplier:))

Returns a constraint that defines the minimum distance by which the current anchor is positioned below the specified anchor.

[`constraint(lessThanOrEqualToSystemSpacingBelow:multiplier:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutYAxisAnchor/constraint(lessThanOrEqualToSystemSpacingBelow:multiplier:))

Returns a constraint that defines the maximum distance by which the current anchor is positioned below the specified anchor.

  <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/UIKit/creating-self-sizing-table-view-cells>

### Creating a layout dimension

[`anchorWithOffset(to:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutYAxisAnchor/anchorWithOffset(to:))

Creates a layout dimension object from two anchors.

## See Also

[`NSLayoutConstraint`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutConstraint)

The relationship between two user interface objects that must be satisfied by the constraint-based layout system.

[`NSLayoutXAxisAnchor`](/documentation/AppKit/NSLayoutXAxisAnchor)

A factory class for creating horizontal layout constraint objects using a fluent API.


---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)