What does the unit rem describe?

Short Answer

Expert verified
'rem' is a flexible unit in CSS that is used for measurements. It stands for 'root em' and is based on the root font-size defined in the HTML document.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding 'rem' as a unit

'rem' stands for 'root em'. It is a flexible unit in CSS. The term flexible means that it changes its value based on another value. In this case, the 'rem' unit is based on the root or base font-size defined in the HTML document, typically in the html or body selector. For instance, if the root font size is defined as 16px, 1rem will be equal to 16px. Similarly, 2rem will be equal to 32px, and so on.
02

Understanding functionality of 'rem'

'rem' helps in maintaining vertical rhythm, an important concept in design. It also facilitates the scalability of content, which is crucial for accessibility. By changing the root font size, the size of elements using 'rem' units is affected. This is beneficial for users, who can adjust the font size to suit their needs, enhancing the user experience and accessibility of the content.
03

Usage of 'rem' in CSS

Here is how the 'rem' unit is used in CSS: \nbody { font-size: 16px;}\np { padding: 1.5rem; } \nIn the example provided, the paragraph element will have a padding of 24px (1.5 rem x 16px). The use of 'rem' allows for greater flexibility and consistency in the design, especially in responsive design where elements need to adjust to different screen sizes.

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