Here is a visual explaination: http://dabblet.com/gist/7359467 http://dabblet.com/gist/7359467 The pseudo-element (in red) is 100% tall and both .container:bef

Here is a visual explaination: http://dabblet.com/gist/7359467 http://dabblet.com/gist/7359467 The pseudo-element (in red) is 100% tall and both .container:before and content are inline-block with vertical-align: middle;