What does the term "viewport" refer to in web design?

The term "viewport" in web design refers specifically to the visible area of a web page on a user's screen. It is a crucial concept because the viewport determines how a webpage is rendered on different devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Understanding the viewport is essential for responsive web design, allowing designers and developers to create layouts that adjust according to the screen size, ensuring a user-friendly experience across various devices.

The viewport can be influenced by the browser settings, device resolution, and the dimensions specified in the webpage's HTML and CSS. Utilizing viewport meta tags in web design helps control the layout and scaling of web pages when viewed on different screen sizes, making it an important aspect of modern web development. By focusing on the visible area, developers can optimize content and navigation for better accessibility and enhanced user interaction.