CODEWITHSUNDEEP
htmlcss
Jim
Jim

Reputation: 19572

Are em and percentage the same thing and are their corresponding defaults defined somewhere?

So em and percentage are both defined in relation to something else.
E.g. with text-indent it is in relation to the width of the paragraph. Else where (I think font) in relation to the browser's default size.
So why do both em an percentage exist if they do exactly the same thing?
Are the items which they are relative in each case (examples I have already given) documented somewhere? How do I know in each case with what the value is relative to?

Upvotes: 0

Views: 88

Answers (1)

BoltClock
BoltClock

Reputation: 723719

They don't do the same thing. Ems are relative to the element's font size, unless they're specified on the font size in which case it's relative to the parent's font size.

Percentage values are relative to other specific values — which of these varies from property to property. Sometimes, percentages may not even be applicable to certain properties, such as borders, whereas ems can be used anywhere that takes a length quantity.

Upvotes: 5

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