CSS padding Property

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Example

Set the padding of a p element:

p
{
padding:2cm 4cm 3cm 4cm;
}

Try it yourself »

Definition and Usage

The padding shorthand property sets all the padding properties in one declaration. This property can have from one to four values.

Examples:

  • padding:10px 5px 15px 20px;
    • top padding is 10px
    • right padding is 5px
    • bottom padding is 15px
    • left padding is 20px

  • padding:10px 5px 15px;
    • top padding is 10px
    • right and left padding are 5px
    • bottom padding is 15px

  • padding:10px 5px;
    • top and bottom padding are 10px
    • right and left padding are 5px

  • padding:10px;
    • all four paddings are 10px

Note: Negative values are not allowed.

Default value: 0
Inherited: no
Version: CSS1
JavaScript syntax: object.style.padding="10px 5px"

Browser Support

Internet Explorer Firefox Opera Google Chrome Safari

The padding property is supported in all major browsers.

Note: No versions of Internet Explorer (including IE8) support the property value "inherit".

Property Values

Value Description
length Specifies the padding in px, pt, cm, etc. Default value is 0px
% Specifies the padding in percent of the width of the containing element
inherit Specifies that the padding should be inherited from the parent element

Related Pages

CSS tutorial: CSS Padding

HTML DOM reference: padding property

CSS Reference Complete CSS Reference