The `padding` CSS property sets the padding area on all four sides of an element. This property can be used to generate space around content (inside the border). It is a shorthand to set all individual paddings at once: `padding-top`, `padding-right`, `padding-bottom`, and `padding-left`. Values are defined in the clockwise direction, starting at the top.
Padding values are set using lengths, percentages, or the `inherit` keyword, and cannot accept negative values. The initial, or default, value for all padding properties is 0. The `inherit` keyword cannot be used with a length value.
The padding property in CSS defines the innermost portion of the box model, creating space around an element's content, inside of any defined margins and/or borders.
Do note, while padding and margins are similar in the context of 'adding spaces between elements', padding is **included** into the element's dimensions, while margins are not.