Rem VS Pixels on Webflow: The duel of units of measurement
Welcome to the fascinating world of web design, where every detail counts. If you ve ever delved into this world, you ve probably heard of the units of measurement"rem" and"pixels". But what s the difference between the two? And why, at Ouiflow, are we fervent advocates of REM for a more accessible and responsive web? Sit back, relax and let us guide you through this exploration.
Understanding the basics: REM and pixel measurements
REM and pixel measurements are two commonly used methods for sizing elements on a website. REMs are based on the basic font size defined for the entire document, while pixels are an absolute unit that defines the dimensions of elements according to a specific value.
Pixels (px): The guardians of precision
What are pixels?
Pixels are individual points on a screen. In web design, they define size and space with a fixed value. Simply put, 1 pixel = 1 pixel, and that s not going to change!
For example, if you set a value of 32 pixels for an element, it will always be 32 pixels in size, whether displayed on a desktop or mobile screen.
Why use them?
If you like precision and want every element on your site to appear exactly the same size on every screen, pixels are your best friend.
- Advantages: Unrivalled precision and total control over element size.
- Disadvantages: They re not very flexible. If you re aiming for a responsive design, pixels can give you a few headaches, especially for text
Rem: The champions of flexibility
What are REMs?
REM (root empheral unit) are relative units based on the size of your browser s main font. If this size changes, everything defined in REM changes too.
For example, if you use a base font size of 16 pixels and set a value of 2 REM for an element, its size will be 32 pixels on a desktop screen and 24 pixels on a mobile screen.
How big is a rem?
By default, 1 rem = 16 pixels, i.e. you have to count its units from 16 to 16. But since these are the kings of flexibility, you re free to set 1 rem to 24 pixels, for example. Usefulness? Here, your design will automatically be larger, depending on what you want to create and what user experience you re aiming for!
Why use them?
If you want your site to adapt harmoniously to different screens and text sizes, rem is your best choice. They adapt to user preferences, providing the best possible user experience and guaranteeing your site s consistent appearance on all devices.
- Advantages: High adaptability and optimal user experience on different devices.
- Disadvantages: They can be a little confusing for novices, but I assure you, you ll soon get the hang of it.
Why is REM our champion?
Sites designed with REM are often more accessible, as they respect the user s text size preferences. If a visually impaired person adjusts their browser s size settings to make reading easier, all elements designed with REM units will be adapted to the chosen size.
- Responsiveness: In a world where mobile browsing is king, REM ensures that your site adapts perfectly to all screens.
- Accessibility: REM respects user preferences, offering a better experience, especially for those with specific text size requirements.
- Flexibility: Need to change the overall font size? With REM, a simple modification can adjust your entire design.
The main difference between REM and pixels is their adaptability to different screens. REM automatically adjusts to screen size, which is essential for optimal user experience and mobile SEO. Pixels, on the other hand, offer absolute precision, but may not be as adaptive.
Best practice optimization
Impact on SEO and site performance
What are the differences for your website s SEO?
Choosing between REM and pixel has direct implications for your site s SEO. Don t worry, we ve got the answers you need. In this article, we ll look at the differences between REM and pixel in terms of SEO, and why it s important to choose the right format for your website.
The choice between REM and pixel will depend on a number of factors, including how your website is designed and how you want to target your audience.
The main advantage of REM is its flexibility. They allow elements to adapt automatically and fluidly to the size of the screen, which is essential for mobile SEO. Pixels, on the other hand, offer absolute precision, but may not be as adaptive.
Ultimately, the choice between REM and pixel will depend on the nature of your website and your SEO objectives. Read on to find out more about the differences between these two formats and how they can impact your site s SEO.
The importance of good sizing for SEO
The size of your website s elements can have a significant impact on its SEO. Inappropriate sizing can make your site difficult to navigate, which can lead to a poor user experience and lower search engine rankings.
When sizing the elements of your website, it s important to take into account screen size and the different resolutions users may use to access your site. The wrong size can lead to problems of accessibility and legibility, which can affect user satisfaction and your SEO.
When choosing between REM and pixel, you need to consider the nature of your website and your SEO objectives. If your site is primarily focused on mobile SEO, REM may be a better choice, as it automatically adapts to different screen sizes. If you need absolute precision in the size of your elements, pixels may be more suitable.
However, it s important to note that element size is only one aspect of your website s SEO. There are many other factors to consider, such as content quality, site structure, meta tags and so on. Make sure you take a holistic approach to optimizing your website for search engines.
Impact of REM and pixel on website performance
Consequently, the size of your website s elements can also have an impact on its performance. Oversized elements can slow down your site s loading time, which can lead to a poor user experience and lower search engine rankings.
Using REM rather than pixels can help improve your website s performance, particularly with regard to mobile SEO. As you may have guessed, REMs enable automatic adaptation to different screen sizes, which can reduce the number of HTTP requests needed to load your site on mobile devices.
On the other hand, the use of pixels can offer absolute precision in element size, but this can also increase the number of HTTP requests needed to load your site on mobile devices, which can slow down loading time.
When choosing between REM and pixel, it s important to consider your website s performance, particularly with regard to mobile SEO. Be sure to test both formats and analyze your website s performance to make an informed decision.
Best practices for using REM and pixel in website design
When using REM or pixels in your website design, it s important to follow certain best practices to ensure an optimal user experience and good SEO.
First of all, make sure you define an appropriate base font size for your website. This will serve as a reference for the dimensions of REM-based elements. Choose a font size that is readable and suitable for most screens and users.
Then use REM to size elements that should automatically adapt to the screen size. This generally includes layout elements such as containers, headers, footers, etc. Use pixels when you need a specific element size that doesn t need to adapt automatically.
Also be sure to test your website on different devices and screen sizes to ensure that elements are sized correctly and that the user experience is optimal. Use testing and analysis tools to measure your website s performance and adjust element dimensions if necessary.
How REM and pixel affect website responsiveness
Website responsiveness is an essential aspect of SEO and user experience. Users expect your website to display correctly and appropriately for their screen size, whether on a desktop, tablet or smartphone. If this isn t the case, the internet is full of other sources, so they re not going to waste time with a site that doesn t suit them at first glance.
Using REMs rather than pixels can help improve your website s responsiveness. REMs allow elements to adjust automatically to the screen size, offering a better user experience on different devices.
Pixels, on the other hand, do not automatically adjust to screen size, which can lead to responsiveness problems on mobile devices. If you re using pixels to size your website elements, be sure to test them on different devices to ensure they display correctly and appropriately for each screen.
Impact of REM and pixel on mobile optimization
When choosing between REM and pixel, it s important to take SEO considerations into account to ensure that your website is well optimized for search engines.
Search engines place great importance on user experience, including a website s responsiveness and ease of navigation. REMs can help improve the user experience by automatically adapting to different screen sizes.
Search engines also take into account website performance, including loading time. REMs can help improve your website s performance by reducing the number of HTTP requests needed to load your site on mobile devices.
When choosing between REM and pixel, be sure to take these SEO considerations into account to ensure your website is well optimized for search engines.
SEO considerations when choosing between REM and pixel
There are many tools available for testing and optimizing the use of REM and pixels in your website design. These tools allow you to measure your website s performance, analyze element dimensions and adjust your settings accordingly.
Some of the most commonly used tools for testing and optimizing the use of REM and pixels include Google PageSpeed Insights, Pingdom Tools, GTmetrix and others. These tools provide you with detailed information on your website s performance, including loading time, HTTP requests, element dimensions, etc.
Use these tools to test different REM and pixel configurations, and adjust your settings according to the results. Make sure you maintain a balance between responsiveness, performance and user experience for the best SEO results.
Tools for testing and optimizing REM and h4 pixel usage
When you decide to use REM or pixels for your website, it s important to have the right tools to test and optimize their use. Here are some of the popular tools you can use:
- BrowserStack: This tool lets you test your website on different browsers and devices, which will help you check how elements sized in REM or pixels adapt to different screen resolutions.
- Google Chrome DevTools: This built-in feature of Google Chrome lets you inspect the elements of your website and see how they are sized using REM or pixels. You can also simulate different screen resolutions to check your site s adaptability.
- Google Analytics: This tool lets you track your website s performance, including bounce rates and page load times. You can use this data to assess whether the use of REMs or pixels has an impact on your site s user experience and SEO.
It s important to note that the choice between REM and pixel should not be based solely on SEO considerations. You also need to take into account other factors such as accessibility, user experience and compatibility with different devices and browsers.
In short: finding the right balance for your website s SEO.
In conclusion, while pixels have their place in web design, REM is clearly the optimal choice for a modern, accessible and responsive web. At Ouiflow, we prefer REM to ensure that our customers websites are RGAA-compliant. If you d like to know more, or need help optimizing your site, please don t hesitate to contact us. After all, the future of the web is flexible, and we re here to help you shape it!
Your choice depends on your site and its objectives:
- REM: offers flexibility and automatic adaptation to different screen resolutions, which is essential for mobile SEO.
- Pixel: offers absolute precision, but may not be as adaptive.
Don t forget to consider other factors such as accessibility, user experience and compatibility with different devices and browsers when choosing between REM and pixel. Don t hesitate to test on different screen resolutions using the tools mentioned above.
Finding the right balance between these two formats will help you optimize your website s SEO and provide your visitors with the best possible user experience.
Make sure you regularly consult the latest SEO recommendations and best practices to ensure your website remains up-to-date and competitive. With the right choice between REM and pixel, you ll be able to improve your site s visibility and attract more organic traffic.
Bonus: You can directly convert your pixels to REM in the Webflow designer, just divide by 16 directly in the measurement. There are also tools to help you with this: Wizardry Technique Converter or Finsweet extension for Webflow.
