CSS padding-left Property Reference

The CSS padding-left property is a standard property in CSS Box Model. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

Updated 2026-08-12

padding-left overview

The CSS padding-left property is a standard property in CSS Box Model. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

The property is not inherited by default. Use an explicit global keyword when inheritance is intended.

Syntax and formal definition

padding-left formal syntax

Field	Value
Formal syntax	<length-percentage [0,∞]>
Initial value	0
Applies to	allElementsExceptInternalTableDisplayTypes
Inherited	No
Percentages	referToWidthOfContainingBlock
Computed value	percentageAsSpecifiedOrAbsoluteLength
Animation type	length
Media	visual
Specification group	CSS Box Model
Status	Standard

Practical examples

These declarations demonstrate valid ways to set padding-left. The initial and inherit global keywords remain available even when a property-specific value is preferable.

padding-left live example

CSS

.reset-example {
  padding-left: initial;
}

.inherit-example {
  padding-left: inherit;
}

@supports (padding-left: initial) {
  .supported {
    padding-left: initial;
  }
}