Question 1

What is the difference between outline and border in CSS?

Accepted Answer

border is part of the CSS box model and affects layout (takes up space). outline is drawn outside the border and doesn't affect layout. Outline is used by browsers for keyboard focus indicators. Unlike border, outline can't be set per-side and supports outline-offset to push it away from the element.

Question 2

Should I remove the CSS outline on :focus?

Accepted Answer

Never remove outline without providing an alternative: a:focus { outline: none; } removes accessibility indicators for keyboard users. Replace it with a visible alternative: a:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid #007bff; outline-offset: 2px; }. The :focus-visible pseudo-class targets keyboard focus only, not mouse clicks.

Question 3

What is outline-offset in CSS?

Accepted Answer

outline-offset creates a gap between the element and its outline. A positive value pushes the outline outward; negative values pull it inside the border. Example: outline: 2px solid #007bff; outline-offset: 4px creates a halo effect with 4px of space around the element.

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