CSS Variables: Write Less, Reuse More

CSS Variables: Write Less, Reuse More

SS Variables, also known as custom properties, have become a game-changer in web development. They allow you to define reusable values and make your CSS more dynamic and maintainable. In this tutorial, we will explore how to use CSS Variables effectively and provide examples of their benefits in real-world scenarios.

What Are CSS Variables?

CSS Variables are custom properties that start with two dashes (—) and are defined within a CSS selector. For example:

:root { —primary-color: #3498db; —font-size: 16px; }

The :root pseudo-class is commonly used to define variables globally, making them accessible throughout the stylesheet.

Benefits of CSS Variables

Reusability: Define a value once and use it across multiple elements.

Dynamic updates: Change a variable’s value to instantly update all elements using it.

Maintainability: Easier to manage and update styles in large projects.

Using CSS Variables

Here’s how to apply CSS Variables to an element:

.button { background-color: var(—primary-color); font-size: var(—font-size); }

To override variables for specific elements:

.theme-dark { —primary-color: #2c3e50; }

Practical Example: Theming

CSS Variables are ideal for theming websites. For example, switching between light and dark modes:

:root { —background-color: #ffffff; —text-color: #000000; }

.dark-mode { —background-color: #000000; —text-color: #ffffff; }

body { background-color: var(—background-color); color: var(—text-color); }

Conclusion

CSS Variables simplify styling and bring greater flexibility to web development. Start incorporating them into your projects to create maintainable and scalable styles.