Basics
CSS Outline
Styling CSS Outlines
CSS outlines style element borders with outline-style, independent of box model.
What is a CSS Outline?
CSS outlines are lines drawn outside the borders of an element. Unlike borders, outlines do not take up space and are not part of the element's dimensions in the box model. Outlines can be used to highlight elements, especially during design and testing phases.
How to Use Outline-Style
The outline-style property in CSS allows you to specify the style of an outline. Common values include none, solid, dotted, dashed, double, groove, ridge, inset, and outset. Here's a simple example:
Outline Color and Width
In addition to outline-style, you can also define the color and width of the outline using outline-color and outline-width properties. These properties allow further customization of the outline's appearance:
Shorthand Property: Outline
The outline shorthand property can be used to set the style, width, and color of an outline in one line:
Difference Between Border and Outline
While border and outline might seem similar, they have key differences. Borders are part of the box model and affect the size and layout of elements. Outlines do not affect element size and are drawn outside the border edge.
Using Outline for Accessibility
CSS outlines are particularly useful for improving accessibility. They can provide visual cues for keyboard navigation, highlighting focus on interactive elements such as buttons or links. This is critical for users relying on keyboard navigation rather than a mouse.
Conclusion
CSS outlines are a powerful tool for styling element borders independently of the box model. They can be customized in style, color, and width, and are essential for enhancing accessibility. Understanding the distinction between outlines and borders is crucial for effective CSS styling.
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