CSS padding vs. margin: What’s the difference?

Mastering the use of margins and padding in CSS is crucial for creating visually appealing and responsive websites. Margins and padding are part of the CSS box model, which determines how elements are spaced and displayed on a webpage. While padding adjusts the inner space within a box and can affect the element's background, margin dictates the outer space and the element's interaction with surrounding elements. Both can be set to zero or positive values, but margins can also take auto and negative values. Understanding the similarities and differences between these two properties allows designers to manipulate the layout and appearance of web elements effectively. Although either margin or padding can sometimes achieve similar visual results, their proper use is essential for maintaining consistent and responsive designs across various devices. Experimenting with both properties ensures that web content remains visually appealing, regardless of screen size.