padding-left

Sets the inner spacing on the left side of an element. Use the prefix pl followed by a value with unit. Useful for content indentation, list indents, and reserving icon space.

Class Patterns

Prefix pl + value + unit. Use px for values under 20px, rem (1rem = 10px) for 20px and above.

ClassCSS OutputDescription
pl4pxpadding-left: 4pxminimum spacing
pl8pxpadding-left: 8pxnarrow spacing
pl12pxpadding-left: 12pxdefault spacing
pl16pxpadding-left: 16pxgenerous spacing
pl2rempadding-left: 2rem (20px)rem unit starting point
pl2-4rempadding-left: 2.4rem (24px)decimals expressed with hyphens
pl3-2rempadding-left: 3.2rem (32px)wide spacing
pl4rempadding-left: 4rem (40px)large indentation
plapadding-left: autoauto padding (some layout contexts)

Unit Comparison

Comparison of the same size expressed in px and rem. Based on: html { font-size: 10px }

Sizepx Classrem Class
8pxpl8pxpl0-8rem
12pxpl12pxpl1-2rem
16pxpl16pxpl1-6rem
20pxpl20pxpl2rem
24pxpl24pxpl2-4rem
32pxpl32pxpl3-2rem

Common Values

ClassActual SizeUsage
pl8px8pxInput field inner left margin
pl12px12pxTable cell left gap
pl16px16pxCard inner left gap, left border compensation
pl2rem20pxContainer left margin
pl4rem40pxReserve icon area (left icon + text)

Code Examples

<!-- Left accent border pattern -->
<div class="bl4pxsolid6366F1 pl16px py12px">
  Content accented with left border
</div>

<!-- Reserve icon area -->
<div class="pr pl4rem py12px bg18181B br8px">
  <svg class="pa l12px t50p" width="20" height="20">...</svg>
  List item with reserved icon space on the left
</div>

<!-- Input field left margin -->
<input type="text" class="w100p py8px pl12px pr12px" placeholder="Enter text..." />

<!-- Apply left/right simultaneously with px -->
<div class="px2rem py16px bg18181B br8px">
  px2rem = pl2rem + pr2rem
</div>

<!-- Asymmetric padding -->
<div class="pt16px pr16px pb16px pl3-2rem bg18181B br8px">
  Wider padding only on the left (side indicator area)
</div>

Tips & Notes

Apply left and right simultaneously with px

If left and right padding are the same, use px2rem to apply pl2rem pr2rem at once. This is an Atomic CSS exclusive shorthand.

With left accent border

Use pl16px with bl4pxsolid6366F1 to create left accent patterns for blockquotes, alert boxes, etc.