What is the difference between 'margin' and 'padding' in CSS?

Margin and padding are two essential concepts in CSS used to control the spacing around elements, but they serve different purposes and are applied in different contexts.

When discussing margin, it refers to the space that exists outside of an element's border. This area creates distance between the element and surrounding elements, effectively separating them visually. It impacts how elements are positioned relative to one another, allowing for adjustments to the layout by increasing or decreasing the space around elements.

On the other hand, padding is the space between an element's content and its border. This internal spacing provides breathing room for the content itself, ensuring that it does not touch the edges of the element's border. Padding increases the size of the element and affects the overall appearance of the content within.

Understanding the distinction is crucial for effective layout design in web development. While margin adjusts the space between separate elements, padding modifies the space around the content within an element. The chosen answer accurately captures this relationship, highlighting that margin is external, while padding is internal.