Why Does `margin-top` Work with `inline-block` but Not with `inline`?

Why Margin-Top Works with Inline-Block but Not with Inline

In web development, understanding the difference between inline and inline-block is crucial for shaping elements' behavior on a page. This question attempts to clarify the discrepancy in top margin application between these two display properties.

Inline and Inline-Block

The CSS2 specification defines inline as a value that represents inline elements. Such elements appear as one continuous line without interruptions. Inline-block, on the other hand, creates inline-level block containers, meaning these elements behave like blocks within inline formatting. As illustrated in the CSS2 documentation:

• Inline: "This value causes an element to generate one or more inline boxes."
• Inline-block: "This value causes an element to generate an inline-level block container. The inside of an inline-block is formatted as a block box, and the element itself is formatted as an atomic inline-level box."

Margin Respect

Furthermore, the CSS2 specification outlines the margin respect of inline elements:

"In an inline formatting context, boxes are laid out horizontally, one after the other, beginning at the top of a containing block. Horizontal margins, borders, and padding are respected between these boxes."

This distinction explains why margin-top does not work with inline elements. Inline elements are restricted to respecting only horizontal margins, while block-level elements like inline-blocks respect both horizontal and vertical margins.

Example

Consider the HTML and CSS provided in the question:

  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="MyFirstWebsite.css">
  <title>Max Pleaner's First Website</title>


  <h1 id="Welcome-to-my-site">Welcome to my site.</h1>

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