Example
Set the left padding of a <div> element:
document.getElementById("myDiv").style.paddingLeft = "50px";Try it Yourself »
Definition and Usage
The paddingLeft property sets or returns the left padding of an element.
Both the margin property and the padding property insert space around an element. However, the difference is that margin inserts the space around the border, while padding inserts the space within the border of an element.
Browser Support
The paddingLeft property is supported in all major browsers.
Syntax
Return the paddingLeft property:
object.style.paddingLeft
Set the paddingLeft property:
object.style.paddingLeft="%|length|initial|inherit"
Property Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| % | Defines the left padding in % of the width of the parent element |
| length | Defines the left padding in length units |
| initial | Sets this property to its default value. Read about initial |
| inherit | Inherits this property from its parent element. Read about inherit |
Technical Details
| Default Value: | 0 |
|---|---|
| Return Value: | A String, representing the left padding of an element |
| CSS Version | CSS1 |
More Examples
Example
Change the left padding of a <div> element back to "normal":
document.getElementById("myDiv").style.paddingLeft = "0px";
Try it Yourself »
Example
Return the left padding of a <div> element:
alert(document.getElementById("myDiv").style.paddingLeft);
Try it Yourself »
Example
Difference between marginLeft and paddingLeft:
function changeMargin() {
document.getElementById("myDiv").style.marginLeft = "100px";
}
function changePadding() {
document.getElementById("myDiv2").style.paddingLeft = "100px";
}
Try it Yourself »
Related Pages
CSS tutorial: CSS Padding
CSS reference: padding-left property
HTML DOM reference: padding property
< Style Object