100vh Into Px

5 min read Jun 24, 2024

100vh into px: Understanding the Difference

When designing websites, we often come across units of measurement such as px, %, em, rem, and vh. Among these, vh is a relative unit that can be confusing, especially when trying to convert it to the more familiar px unit. In this article, we'll delve into the world of vh and explore how to convert it to px.

What is 100vh?

vh stands for viewport height, which is a unit of measurement that is relative to the height of the viewport (the visible area of the browser window). 100vh simply means 100% of the viewport height. This means that if the viewport height is 800px, 100vh would be equivalent to 800px.

Why Convert 100vh to px?

Converting 100vh to px can be useful in various situations, such as:

Pixel-perfect design: You may want to ensure that your design is exactly 800px tall, and converting 100vh to px helps you achieve that.
Cross-browser compatibility: Some older browsers may not support vh units, so converting to px ensures that your design works across all browsers.
Easier calculations: When working with fixed units like px, calculations become more straightforward, making it easier to create responsive designs.

How to Convert 100vh to px

Converting 100vh to px is not a straightforward process, as the viewport height can vary greatly depending on the device and screen size. However, we can use some tricks to estimate the conversion:

Method 1: Using JavaScript

You can use JavaScript to get the viewport height and then convert it to px. Here's an example:

const viewportHeight = window.innerHeight;
const pxHeight = viewportHeight + 'px';

Method 2: Using CSS Media Queries

You can use CSS media queries to define different styles based on the viewport height. For example:

/* For viewports with a height of 800px or more */
@media (min-height: 800px) {
  .container {
    height: 800px; /* equivalent to 100vh */
  }
}

/* For viewports with a height between 600px and 799px */
@media (min-height: 600px) and (max-height: 799px) {
  .container {
    height: 600px; /* equivalent to 75vh */
  }
}

/* For viewports with a height of less than 600px */
@media (max-height: 599px) {
  .container {
    height: 400px; /* equivalent to 50vh */
  }
}

Method 3: Using a Fixed Height

If you know the maximum height of your design, you can use a fixed height in px and ignore the vh unit altogether. For example:

.container {
  height: 800px; /* fixed height */
}

Conclusion

Converting 100vh to px can be a bit tricky, but using the methods described above, you can estimate the conversion and achieve your desired design. Remember that vh is a relative unit, and it's essential to consider the viewport height and screen size when designing responsive websites. By understanding the difference between vh and px, you can create more flexible and adaptable designs that work across various devices and browsers.