Use REM for Truly Responsive Typography What is REM?

Use REM for Truly Responsive Typography

What is REM?

REM stands for Root EM, and it’s a relative unit of measurement in CSS. Rather than defining text sizes in absolute units like pixels (px), REM allows font sizes to scale based on the root font size of the document, usually defined in the <html> tag.

If the root font size is set to16px, then:

1rem = 16px
1.5rem = 24px
2rem = 32px
And so on…

Why Use REM Instead of PX?

Using px locks your font size to a fixed pixel value, which:

Does not scale properly on high-resolution or small screens
Breaks accessibility when users change their browser’s default font size or zoom
Creates inconsistency when combining text styles across layouts

On the other hand, rem is responsive by nature:

It scales automatically with the user’s browser and device settings
Ensures typographic consistency across your site
Makes maintaining a design system easier by allowing global font scaling from one place

Practical Example in Webflow:

Instead of this:

Use this:

Assuming your root font size is 16px (which is the Webflow default), this equals 24px in appearance — but is now fully scalable.

Pro Tip: Make Typography Fluid with `clamp()`

Want your text to scale smoothly between devices, not just jump between breakpoints?

Use the clamp() function with rem and vw units:

font-size: clamp(1rem, 2vw, 2rem);

This allows your font size to:

Be no smaller than 1rem
Scale based on 2vw (viewport width)
Cap at 2rem

This creates fluid, elegant, and readable typography on all screen sizes!

When to Use REM in Webflow:

Headings & Paragraphs
Set your base styles in REM for consistent typography hierarchy.
Buttons & Form Labels
Ensure accessibility and visibility on all devices.
Navigation Menus
Text scales properly on tablets and mobiles without extra breakpoints.

Need Help Implementing?

If you’re building a custom Webflow project, using REM units will future-proof your typography and give your design a professional polish. It’s especially helpful for: