CSS Pocket Reference, 3rd Edition

Name

padding

Values:

[ <length> | <percentage> ]{1,4} | inherit

Initial value:

Not defined for shorthand elements.

Applies to:

All elements.

Inherited:

No.

Percentages:

Refer to the width of the containing block.

Computed value:

See individual properties (padding-top, etc.).

Note:

Padding can never be negative.

Description:

This shorthand property sets the width of the overall padding for an element or sets the widths of each individual side padding. Padding set on inline nonreplaced elements does not affect line-height calculations; therefore, such an element with both padding and a background may visibly extend into other lines and potentially overlap other content. The background of the element will extend throughout the padding. Negative padding values are not permitted.

Examples:

h1 {padding: 2ex;}
img {padding: 10px;}

Supported by:

Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari.