2.1.61 [CSS-Level2-2009] Section 10.5, Content height: the 'height' property

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V0227:

The specification states:

 'height'
  
 Value:                 <length> | <percentage> | auto | inherit          
 Initial:               auto
 Applies to:            all elements but non-replaced inline elements, table 
                        columns, and column groups
 Inherited:             no
 Percentages:           see prose
 Media:                 visual
 Computed value:        the percentage or 'auto' (see prose under <percentage>) or 
                        the absolute length 
 This property specifies the content height of boxes.
 This property does not apply to non-replaced inline elements. See the section 
 on computing heights and margins for non-replaced inline elements for the rules 
 used instead.

Quirks Mode (All Versions)

The height property is applied to non-replaced elements that have the display property set to inline.

IE8 Mode and IE9 Mode  (All Versions)

The height property is not applied to elements that have the display property set to table-row-group, table-header-group, or table-footer-group.

V0228:

The specification states:

 <percentage>
  
 Specifies a percentage height. The percentage is calculated with respect to the 
 height of the generated box's containing block. If the height of the containing 
 block is not specified explicitly (i.e., it depends on content height), and this 
 element is not absolutely positioned, the value computes to 'auto'. A percentage 
 height on the root element is relative to the initial containing block.
  
 Note: For absolutely positioned elements whose containing block is based on a 
 block-level element, the percentage is calculated with respect to the height of the 
 padding box of that element. This is a change from CSS1, where the percentage was 
 always calculated with respect to the content box of the parent element."

Quirks Mode and IE7 Mode (All Versions)

For absolutely positioned elements with a percentage height whose containing block is based on a block-level element, the percentage is calculated with respect to the content box of the element, and not to its padding box of the element.

Quirks Mode (All Versions)

The percentage height of the root element is ignored and returned as the full size of the initial containing block (that is, all percent values return the full height of the initial containing block).

Quirks Mode, IE7 Mode, IE8 Mode, IE9 Mode, and IE10 Mode (All Versions)

If the height of a cell is specified, child elements with a percentage height will be at most as high as the cell's specified height even if the cell's height computes to a higher value.