# SKConstraint A specification for constraining a node’s position or rotation. ``` class SKConstraint ``` ## Overview An [`SKConstraint`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint) object describes a mathematical constraint on a node’s position or orientation. You attach constraints to nodes; after a scene processes any actions and physics interactions, it applies constraints attached to nodes in its node tree. Use constraints to ensure that certain relationships are true before the system renders a scene. For example, you might use a constraint to: - Change a node’s [`zRotation`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKNode/zRotation) property so that it always points at another node or a position in the scene. - Keep a node within a specified distance of another node or a point in the scene. - Keep a node inside a specified rectangle. - Restrict the [`zRotation`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKNode/zRotation) property of a node so that it has a more limited rotation range of motion. To use constraints, create an object that contains one or more constraint objects and assign the array to a node’s [`constraints`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKNode/constraints) property. When the system evaluates a scene, it executes the constraints on a node in the order they appear in the [`constraints`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKNode/constraints) array. You can’t change a constraint after you create it. However, you can selectively disable or enable a constraint by setting its [`enabled`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/enabled) property. You can also use the [`referenceNode`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/referenceNode) property to convert positions to the referenced coordinate system before applying the constraint. ## Topics ### Creating Position Constraints Limit a node’s movement in one axis or both. [Creating Position Constraints](/documentation/SpriteKit/creating-position-constraints) Create a position constraint and add it to a node. [`positionX(_:y:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/positionX(_:y:)) Creates a constraint that restricts both coordinates of a node’s position. [`positionX(_:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/positionX(_:)) Creates a constraint that restricts the x-coordinate of a node’s position. [`positionY(_:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/positionY(_:)) Creates a constraint that restricts the y-coordinate of a node’s position. ### Creating Orientation Constraints Provide limitations on a node’s rotation, or create rules the system uses to update a node’s rotation for you. [Creating a Look-At Constraint](/documentation/SpriteKit/creating-a-look-at-constraint) Make a node automatically rotate itself based on the changing position of another node, by using orientation constraints. [`orient(to:offset:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/orient(to:offset:)-1h1tw) Creates a constraint that forces a node to rotate to face another node. [`orient(to:offset:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/orient(to:offset:)-9lq3h) Creates a constraint that forces a node to rotate to face a fixed point. [`orient(to:in:offset:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/orient(to:in:offset:)) Creates a constraint that forces a node to rotate to face a point in another node’s coordinate system. [`zRotation(_:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/zRotation(_:)) Creates a constraint that limits the orientation of a node. ### Creating Distance Constraints Create a rule the system uses to update a node’s position relative to another node in the scene. [`distance(_:to:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/distance(_:to:)-6507j) Creates a constraint that keeps a node within a certain distance of another node. [`distance(_:to:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/distance(_:to:)-7yk7n) Creates a constraint that keeps a node within a certain distance of a point. [`distance(_:to:in:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/distance(_:to:in:)) Creates a constraint that keeps a node within a certain distance of a point in another node’s coordinate system. ### Controlling the Coordinate System Where a Constraint is Applied [`referenceNode`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/referenceNode) The node whose coordinate system should be used to apply the constraint. ### Enabling and Disabling a Constraint [`enabled`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKConstraint/enabled) A Boolean value that specifies whether the constraint is applied. --- Copyright © 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)