CSS Variables for beginners

Vijay Mangal's photo
Vijay Mangal
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2 min read

CSS variables, also known as CSS custom properties, are a powerful tool that can help you write more organized, maintainable, and dynamic CSS code. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at what CSS variables are and how they can be used to improve your CSS.

What are CSS Variables?

A CSS variable is a value that you can store and reuse throughout your CSS code. It's similar to a variable in programming, which allows you to store a value and use it in multiple places. The difference is that CSS variables are used specifically in CSS and can be used to store a wide variety of values, including colors, lengths, and even other variables.

To declare a CSS variable, you use the -- syntax followed by the variable name. For example:

:root { --main-color: blue; }

This declares a variable named --main-color with a value of blue.

You can then use the variable by referencing it with the var() function. For example:

p { color: var(--main-color); }

This sets the color of all p elements to the value of the --main-color variable, which is blue.

The Benefits of Using CSS Variables

Using CSS variables can bring many benefits to your CSS code, including:

  • Organization: By storing values in variables, you can make your CSS more organized and easier to read. Instead of repeating the same values throughout your CSS code, you can store them in one place and reference them wherever you need them.

  • Maintainability: When you use variables, you can make changes to your CSS more easily. For example, if you want to change the color of all your headings, you can simply change the value of the variable and it will be updated everywhere it's used. This can save a lot of time and effort when making changes to your website.

  • Dynamic effects: With CSS variables, you can create dynamic effects like hover states, animations, and responsive design. You can use JavaScript to interact with CSS variables and change their values in response to user input or other events.

  • Cascading: CSS variables also have cascading capabilities, meaning you can use them to inherit values from parent elements.

Conclusion

CSS variables are a powerful tool that can help you write more organized, maintainable, and dynamic CSS code. By storing values in variables, you can make your CSS more readable and easily make changes to your website. CSS variables also have cascading capabilities and can be used to create dynamic effects. If you're not already using CSS variables in your projects, it's definitely worth giving them a try!

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