A CSS framework is a set of CSS stylesheets that web developers and designers can use right away. The stylesheets control the colors, layout, fonts, navbars, and other common web design features. Stylesheets are supported and expanded by other scripting tools like SASS and JavaScript.
What is a CSS Framework?
A CSS framework delivers a completely functional CSS stylesheet to the user, allowing them to create a webpage by merely writing the HTML with the right classes, structure, and IDs.
CSS frameworks include classes for common website elements such as the footer, slider, navigation bar, hamburger menu, column-based layouts, and so on.
CSS Frameworks Benefits
There are several benefits that using CSS frameworks brings to the table. These are the most important ones:
- Developers and designers can utilize CSS frameworks to provide complex functionalities and visual elements to a website, such as forms, various buttons, navbars, breadcrumbs, and even gorgeous symmetrical layouts.
- CSS frameworks enable developing web pages that work in a variety of browsers and their multiple versions easier. As a result, bugs are less likely to arise during cross-browser testing.
- These frameworks make web development faster and easier by including ready-to-use stylesheets. Users do not need to dive into CSS code to execute essential tasks.
- Developers can quickly develop a user-friendly and visually appealing user interface that can be updated without having to restart the project.
The Top 5 CSS Frameworks for Web Designers and Developers
Now that you know what a CSS framework is, and how it works, it’s time to get your hands on some of them. For your convenience, we have created a curated list of the best 5 CSS frameworks whose usage is extremely popular among web developers and web app makers. Let’s start the list with Tailwind CSS:
1) Tailwind CSS
According to the official description, Tailwind CSS is a “utility-first CSS framework” that provides classes for developing unique UI designs directly in users’ HTML. Without having to write any CSS, inline styling can be utilized to create a beautiful user interface.
Tailwind CSS is a popular utility CSS library with a lot of useful features for web designers. To persuade the rest of the world that utility-based CSS was preferable to semantic CSS, it required Adam Wathan (the creator of Tailwind). But eventually, enough programmers believed in him enough to start implementing his ideas.
The CSS framework comes with a default configuration that may be overridden via the tailwind.config.js file, but it’s very flexible. It contains basic utility patterns for dealing with typical requirements like class definition and structuring, class cascading, and so on.
Rather than hard-coding variables, you can get them from configuration files using the theme() function. Tailwind’s features make project management easier and help you build a user-friendly website.
2) Bootstrap
Most people working with CSS might be ticked off with our placement of Bootstrap at number two on this list. Anyways, Bootstrap is an open-source CSS framework for interface components that includes CSS and JavaScript-based templates. It was developed by Twitter’s Jacob Thornton and Mark Otto as a foundation for improving internal tool consistency.
The responsive design focus is due to Bootstrap for popularizing it among web developers. It promoted the now-ubiquitous mobile-first philosophy and provided the tools needed to make it a reality. This was accomplished by using a grid to divide the screen into columns (invisible to the end-user).
When using the popular front-end framework, developers don’t have to build separate projects to personalize a site for lower screen widths. They only need to include the Bootstrap classes that are required, and the design will adjust itself.
Designers may use Bootstrap to generate responsive HTML code by simply adding the proper CSS classes to their HTML code. Developers and designers may use it right away because it comes with a vast selection of layouts, themes, UI components, panels, modals, buttons, alerts, cards, and other features.
The CSS framework is also backed by a community that is unrivaled in the industry. Consequently, it enjoys industry-leading community support.
3) Skeleton
Skeleton, rather than being endorsed as a CSS framework, promotes itself as a “dead simple, responsive boilerplate.” It’s undeniable in its simplicity as the source code is only 400 lines long!
This handy tool lets you create CSS components that function on both large and small screens. It incorporates all of the standard adaptable design features and divides the page into multiple 12-column grids with a maximum width of 960px, making it appropriate for small, medium, and large screens.
Of course, if necessary, the maximum width can be changed with a single line of CSS code. The syntax is simple and straightforward to use, making responsive design a pleasure.
Because it only comprises the most important components and HTML elements, Skeleton is the optimal solution for supporting small applications. It is easy to store, manage, and handle due to its lightweight build.
Because the CSS framework was created with a mobile-first strategy, the tool is great for designers. It’s simple to understand and made out of basic CSS building elements and components.
4) Foundation
Foundation is a responsive front-end framework featuring a grid, HTML, SASS, CSS UI components, templates, code covering navigation, buttons, typography, forms, and much more. The leading CSS framework describes itself as “the most advanced responsive front-end framework in the world.” It also includes the optional functionality of JavaScript extensions.
The front-end framework is an open-source project that has been managed by volunteers since 2019. It was previously managed by ZURB. Following along the lines of other popular CSS frameworks like Bootstrap and Skeleton, Foundation also uses a mobile-first strategy, which makes it perfect for building large web apps that demand a design host.
Foundation is a front-end framework that gives front-end developers complete control over their user interfaces. It does not, for example, force programmers to use a certain style or language. As a result, a far wider range of developers prefers it.
Due to the immense popularity enjoyed by the CSS framework, ZURB offers a variety of Foundation training courses and consulting services, which are particularly useful for companies looking to work on huge projects.
5) Bulma
Bulma is an open-source responsive CSS framework based on Flexbox. It contains a lot of built-in features that help you complete tasks faster and with less CSS writing. It employs tiles to create Metro-style grids, resulting in seamless website layouts. Users can also import only the elements they wish to use, making the process easier.
Because the source code for Bulma is available for free, users can customize it as they see fit. To get you started, the front-end framework comes with a no-nonsense CSS-only approach (no JavaScript components) and visually pleasant settings. Bulma has gotten positive feedback from the Laravel community, which has helped it gain traction.
Bulma is a favorite among developers and designers due to its modular design and high adjustability. It has a huge library of components to choose from and its responsive templates save time and effort in the design process. It also has a thriving Stack Overflow community that is extremely helpful in answering questions and getting you through blockages.
Conclusion
Best CSS frameworks are a must-have in the toolkits of web developers and designers. Developers must choose a CSS framework that they are familiar with and that has all of the capabilities essential to meet the project requirements for any project to function well. Naturally, rigorous investigation and examination of various major frameworks are required prior to making a decision.
Regardless of which framework is used, all websites must be tested on real browsers and devices. Emulators and simulators simply do not replicate the real-world user conditions under which software must perform, resulting in inaccurate test results.
Consider testing your websites and apps on a real-world device cloud, preferably one with the latest recent devices, browsers, and operating systems. Both manual and automatic transmissions fall within this category. All the best!
Hi! I am Shekhar, a professional web & mobile app developer with expertise in MEAN Stack, Next.js, React.js, and React Native. Being interested in working with different IT technologies, I always look forward to learning something new and challenging. Along with JavaScript, I also know several other programming languages, including Python and TypeScript.