Margin and Padding

Spacing utilities add margin (space outside an element) and padding (space inside an element) using the NYSDS spacing scale. Class names follow the pattern .nys-margin-{scale} and .nys-padding-{scale}.

Spacing scale

All margin and padding utilities use the same spacing scale:

Scale value Size Class example 1px 1px .nys-margin-1px 2px 2px .nys-margin-2px 50 4px .nys-margin-50 100 8px .nys-margin-100 150 12px .nys-margin-150 200 16px .nys-margin-200 250 20px .nys-margin-250 300 24px .nys-margin-300 400 32px .nys-margin-400 500 40px .nys-margin-500 600 48px .nys-margin-600 700 56px .nys-margin-700 800 64px .nys-margin-800 1200 96px .nys-margin-1200

Margin

Margin adds space outside an element. Use .nys-margin-{scale} for uniform margin on all sides.

.nys-margin-100
.nys-margin-300
.nys-margin-600
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<div class="nys-margin-100">8px margin on all sides</div>
<div class="nys-margin-300">24px margin on all sides</div>
<div class="nys-margin-600">48px margin on all sides</div>

Directional margin

Add margin to specific sides with directional suffixes:

  • -x — left and right
  • -y — top and bottom
  • -t — top only
  • -r — right only
  • -b — bottom only
  • -l — left only
.nys-margin-x-400
.nys-margin-y-400
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<!-- Horizontal margin (left and right) -->
<div class="nys-margin-x-400">32px left and right</div>

<!-- Vertical margin (top and bottom) -->
<div class="nys-margin-y-400">32px top and bottom</div>


<!-- Individual sides -->
<div class="nys-margin-t-200">16px top only</div>
<div class="nys-margin-b-300">24px bottom only</div>
<div class="nys-margin-l-100 nys-margin-r-500">8px left, 40px right</div>

Padding

Padding adds space inside an element. Use .nys-padding-{scale} for uniform padding on all sides. The same spacing scale and directional suffixes apply.

.nys-padding-100
.nys-padding-300
.nys-padding-600
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<div class="nys-padding-100">8px padding on all sides</div>
<div class="nys-padding-300">24px padding on all sides</div>
<div class="nys-padding-600">48px padding on all sides</div>

Directional padding

.nys-padding-x-600 .nys-padding-y-100
.nys-padding-t-50 .nys-padding-r-200 .nys-padding-b-400 .nys-padding-l-800
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<!-- Horizontal and vertical padding -->
<div class="nys-padding-x-600 nys-padding-y-100">
  Wide horizontal, narrow vertical
</div>

<!-- Individual sides -->
<div class="nys-padding-t-50 nys-padding-r-200 nys-padding-b-400 nys-padding-l-800">
Different padding on each side
</div>

Practical example

Combine margin and padding utilities with layout utilities to space content in a page section.

Apply for benefits

Check your eligibility for New York State assistance programs including SNAP, Medicaid, and HEAP.

Renew your license

Renew your driver license or non-driver ID online through the DMV. Most renewals can be completed in minutes.

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<div class="nys-grid-row nys-grid-gap">
  <div class="nys-grid-col-6">
    <div class="nys-padding-400">
      <h3 class="nys-margin-b-200">Apply for benefits</h3>
      <p class="nys-margin-b-300">Check your eligibility for assistance programs.</p>
      <nys-button label="Check eligibility" variant="outline"></nys-button>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

Responsive variants

Margin and padding utilities do not currently support responsive prefixes. Apply them uniformly or use Grid and Flexbox utilities for responsive spacing.

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Last updated: May 28, 2026