diff --git a/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.scss b/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.scss
index 391df8e4159b..966ecff6ca3f 100644
--- a/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.scss
+++ b/src/lib/checkbox/checkbox.scss
@@ -204,6 +204,7 @@ md-checkbox {
   // (e.g. pointer by default, regular when disabled), instead of the browser default.
   cursor: inherit;
   align-items: baseline;
+  vertical-align: middle;
   display: inline-flex;
 }