Why Aren't My Inline-Block Elements Displaying Side-by-Side?

Inline-Block Elements Not Fitting Side by Side in a Single Row

In the given HTML code, we aim to display two inline-block elements, #left and #right, side by side in a single row, each element occupying 50% width. However, instead of aligning the elements horizontally, a whitespace gap appears between them.

Understanding Inline-Block Elements

As inline-block elements, #left and #right behave like both inline and block elements. They exist on the same line as inline elements, but they can have their width and height set like block elements.

Inline-Block Whisperspace

When using inline-block, a whitespace gap inherently exists between adjacent elements due to the "whisperspace," an invisible ~4px wide space added for padding and line separation. Therefore, the combined width of the two divs, including the whisperspace, exceeds 100%, breaking the horizontal layout.

Possible Solutions

1. Adjusting Element Width:

One solution is to reduce the width of one div to 49%, compensating for the whisperspace. However, this may leave a visible gap between the elements.

2. Floating Elements:

Another option is to float both divs, which removes the whisperspace issue by aligning them on a new line. This approach works effectively but can compromise the flow of the page.

Updated Recommendation:

For modern browser compatibility, it's recommended to use flexbox or CSS grid layout instead of inline-block for layouts like this. These techniques provide more control over spacing and allow for responsive and adaptive designs.

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