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Design Web Typography Laying Out Type for the Web Responsive Typography

Why is it necessary to use em for the height of padding but % for the width of padding...?

Why is it necessary to use em for the height of padding but % for the width of padding...?

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points

It's not necessary, but it's a common design decision. Having the vertical space be relative to the font instead of the window size can make the appearance seem more consistent across different screens. But in the horizontal dimension, making the space relative to the width can look better and make better use of smaller screens.

But as a designer, you can choose differently if you think it looks better another way.