What are the design rules for using VW and VH units in Webflow, and are there any special cases where they should be mixed? What units should be used for fonts and button sizes in Webflow?

Published on
September 22, 2023

Design rules for using VW and VH units in Webflow

The VW (viewport width) and VH (viewport height) units are valuable tools in creating responsive and flexible designs in Webflow. These units are based on the size of the browser viewport and are particularly useful for designing layouts that adapt smoothly to different screen sizes. Here are some design rules to consider when using VW and VH units in Webflow:

  1. Use VW units for horizontal lengths: It is recommended to use VW units when defining horizontal lengths such as widths, margins, paddings, and borders. By using VW units, you ensure that these elements resize proportionally based on the width of the viewport.

  2. Use VH units for vertical lengths: VH units are ideal for vertical lengths such as heights and line heights. This ensures that these elements adjust proportionally based on the height of the viewport.

  3. Avoid using fixed pixel values: One of the primary advantages of using VW and VH units is their ability to create fluid and responsive designs. Avoid setting fixed pixel values for elements whenever possible, as this may lead to inconsistent proportions when viewed on different screen sizes.

  4. Combine VW and VH units for responsive typography: For achieving responsive typography, it is recommended to use a combination of VW and VH units. Start by setting a base font size in VW units and then adjust the line height using VH units. This allows the text to scale proportionally based on both width and height of the viewport.

  5. Test and refine: As with any design approach, it's important to test and refine your design using various devices and screen sizes. This will help ensure that the layout remains aesthetically pleasing and legible across different devices.

Units for fonts and button sizes in Webflow

Choosing the appropriate units for fonts and button sizes in Webflow is crucial to ensure a visually consistent and responsive design. Here are some recommendations for unit selection:

  1. Fonts: For font sizes, it is generally best to use relative units such as rem or em. These units allow fonts to scale according to the browser's default font size or their parent element's font size, respectively. This helps maintain consistent proportions across different screen sizes.

  2. Button sizes: When styling buttons, it is often practical to use a combination of percentage-based widths and padding. This allows the button sizes to adjust dynamically based on the parent container or the viewport width.

  3. Consider breakpoints: It's important to consider breakpoints when defining font and button sizes. As the screen size decreases or the viewport width reaches certain thresholds, you may need to adjust the font size or button size to ensure legibility and usability.

By following these guidelines, you can create designs in Webflow that are visually appealing, responsive, and accessible across various devices and screen sizes.

Additional Questions:

  • What are the benefits of using relative units in Webflow design?
  • How can VW and VH units improve mobile website design in Webflow?
  • Are there any potential drawbacks to using VW and VH units in Webflow?