# em unit

A size equal to the element's font size.

## What is the **em** unit?

An **em** is the current element's font size. `2em` means twice the font size, so spacing grows with the text.

```css
.button { font-size: 18px; padding: 0.5em 1em; }   /* 9px 18px */
```

Level: Novice · [More CSS terms at this level](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/subjects/css/novice)

Updated: September 27, 2026

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/em-unit