What is Tailwind CSS and How Does It Work

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Posted Nov 18, 2024

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Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework that allows you to write more efficient and maintainable code.

It's based on a set of pre-defined CSS classes that you can use to style your HTML elements, rather than writing custom CSS code from scratch.

Tailwind CSS uses a configuration file to define the design tokens and utilities that are available to you in your project.

This approach enables you to create a consistent design system across your application with minimal effort.

What is Tailwind CSS

Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework that lets you write styles quickly without needing to create separate CSS files. This approach is great for speeding up the development process.

With Tailwind, you use special CSS classes to write styles that correspond to individual CSS properties like margin, padding, color, etc. This means you can style your UI interfaces without leaving the HTML page.

Using utility classes like text-center or flex greatly simplifies the process of writing styles, as they describe specific CSS properties like text-align: center and display: flex.

One of the advantages of Tailwind is that its classes are local, not global, which reduces the chance of accidentally breaking the UI interface you're not working on.

For more insights, see: Align Text Center Css Vertical

How it Works

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Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework that allows you to write more concise and maintainable CSS code. It does this by providing a set of pre-defined classes that you can use to style your HTML elements.

Tailwind CSS is built on top of CSS Custom Properties, which allow you to define custom values for CSS properties. This enables Tailwind to generate classes that can be customized on a per-project basis.

The framework uses a utility-first approach, which means you write CSS classes that target specific styles, rather than creating complex CSS selectors. This makes it easier to reuse code and avoid CSS bloat.

By using a utility-first approach, you can create complex layouts and designs without writing a single line of custom CSS. Tailwind takes care of the heavy lifting for you, allowing you to focus on the design and layout of your application.

Tailwind CSS also includes a set of pre-defined classes for common design elements, such as spacing, sizing, and typography. These classes can be used to create a consistent design language throughout your application.

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Comparison and Setup

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Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework that allows you to write more concise and maintainable code.

You can set up Tailwind CSS in a few different ways, including using a pre-configured starter template or setting it up manually from scratch.

To get started, you'll need to install the Tailwind CSS package via npm or yarn, and then run the command to generate the necessary configuration files.

Tailwind CSS is highly customizable, allowing you to tailor the framework to your specific needs and design requirements.

Bootstrap vs.

Bootstrap classes are defined to describe HTML elements, while Tailwind focuses on defining classes that describe a specific style.

Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework that enables users to create applications faster and easier by using utility classes to control layout, color, spacing, typography, and more.

Each component must be created and styled individually with Tailwind, which can be both a disadvantage and an advantage.

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Tailwind increases flexibility in using the framework and reduces its size, making it a better choice for projects that require customization.

If you want to have access to a ready-made set of components, then Bootstrap may be the better choice.

Tailwind's flexibility and customization capabilities make it a great choice for projects that value individuality in design.

Set Up Content Paths in Configuration

To set up content paths in Tailwind CSS, you need to edit the tailwind.config.js file. This file is where you define customizations for your project.

The tailwind.config.js file has a content section where you specify the paths to all your HTML and JavaScript files. This helps Tailwind purge unused CSS.

You can add multiple paths to this section, including the paths to your HTML and JavaScript files. This ensures that Tailwind can scan all your files for class names.

Here are the key options in the content section:

  • content: Specifies the paths to all your HTML and JavaScript files.
  • theme: Used to extend Tailwind’s default theme.
  • plugins: Add any official or community-made plugins here to extend Tailwind’s core functionality.

By setting up content paths correctly, you can remove unused styles and optimize your final CSS bundle. This is especially important for large projects with many files.

Reference Compiled CSS in HTML

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To reference the compiled CSS in your HTML, you need to link to the generated CSS file. This enables you to start using Tailwind's utility classes to style your application.

You've already compiled the CSS in your project, and now you just need to reference it in your main HTML file, such as index.html.

The compiled CSS file is generated after you've integrated Tailwind directives into your main CSS file. In this case, you'll be linking to the CSS file that includes the foundational styles, custom-designed component classes, and utility classes.

Here's a quick rundown of the steps to reference the compiled CSS:

  1. Locate the compiled CSS file in your project directory.
  2. Link to the compiled CSS file in your main HTML file (e.g., index.html).

By linking to the compiled CSS file, you'll be able to start using Tailwind's utility classes to style your application, which is the core of Tailwind's styling mechanism.

Versions

Tailwind CSS uses semantic versioning to identify its version compatibility. This means that you can easily determine which versions of the framework are compatible with each other.

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The framework is not limited to just being a CSS framework, it can also be used as a jQuery Mobile, JavaScript framework, or even a JavaScript library. Tailwind CSS has a wide range of applications.

One of the most notable frameworks that Tailwind CSS is compared to is Bootstrap, which is also a front-end framework.

CSS and Configuration

Tailwind CSS is a powerful tool that allows you to design and customize your UI directly within your HTML. To get started, you'll need to set up Tailwind in your project, which involves configuring your CSS and content paths.

You can configure your CSS by adding Tailwind's directives to your main CSS file. This will inject Tailwind's foundational styles, include custom-designed component classes, and apply utility classes. Specifically, you'll need to add the lines `@tailwind base;`, `@tailwind components;`, and `@tailwind utilities;` to your project's CSS file.

To optimize your project, you'll also need to set up content paths in your Tailwind configuration file. This involves specifying the paths to all your HTML and JavaScript files, which enables Tailwind to purge unused CSS. You can do this by editing the `tailwind.config.js` file and adding the `content` property with the paths to your files.

A fresh viewpoint: Css in Html File

Using CSS with React

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Using CSS with React is a game-changer for web development. You can apply utility classes directly within your React components, which speeds up development.

With Tailwind CSS, you can manage layout, typography, and color with ease. This is because Tailwind classes are local, not global, which significantly reduces the chance of accidentally breaking the UI interface you're working on.

Tailwind's utility-first approach allows you to create responsive interfaces, style states such as hover, focus, before, after, etc., and create all of this based on a specific design system. This is impossible with inline styles.

To use Tailwind with React, you need to link the generated CSS file in your HTML documents. This enables you to start using Tailwind's utility classes to style your application.

Here are some examples of how to apply utility classes to manage layout, typography, and color:

These utility classes are the core of Tailwind's styling mechanism and enable you to control a large number of CSS properties.

Understanding the Configuration

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The Tailwind configuration file, tailwind.config.js, is where you define your customizations. This is where you can extend the existing theme without losing the default configurations.

You can specify how your design tokens, such as colors, spacing, and typography, should be adjusted or extended in the theme section of the configuration file.

The theme section allows you to customize the default theme, including colors, spacing, and typography. You can even add custom-designed component classes to include in your project.

To extend the existing theme, you use the extend key inside the theme object. This approach is preferred when you want to add additional utilities while keeping all the original Tailwind settings.

Here's an example of how to extend the theme:

  • `theme: { extend: { … } }`: This structure tells Tailwind that you are adding to the existing theme rather than replacing it.
  • `colors`: Inside the extended block, you define your custom colors. This object specifies the colour name as the key (e.g., grey, black) and the corresponding colour value.

You can also directly define the colors under the theme.colours property without using extend. This approach replaces all of Tailwind's default color utilities with your custom definitions.

Here's a summary of the configuration options:

Colours with Arbitrary Values

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Colours with Arbitrary Values are a game-changer when you need to use a colour that isn't in the default palette. This is where Tailwind's bracket notation comes in, allowing you to use arbitrary values for colours.

You can set the text color to white using Tailwind's arbitrary value syntax with `.text-[#fff]`. This is a straightforward way to achieve a specific look without having to define a new class.

Tailwind's utility classes make it easy to style your elements in-line, such as using `text-xl` and `font-bold` for font sizing and weight, and `bg-red-600` or `text-blue-700` for colors. This streamlines the styling process, making it faster and more intuitive.

The bracket notation syntax is particularly useful when you need to use a specific hex code for a colour. For example, if you need to use a custom green colour, you can use `.bg-[#34C759]` to achieve the desired effect.

With Tailwind's utility classes, you can control a large number of CSS properties, including colours, border, display type, font size and font, layout, shadow... The possibilities are endless!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CSS and Tailwind CSS?

CSS is a traditional method of writing custom CSS code, while Tailwind CSS is a utility-first framework that provides pre-defined classes for faster and more efficient design. This key difference makes Tailwind CSS a popular choice for developers seeking to streamline their workflow and reduce design inconsistencies.

Why do people use Tailwind CSS?

People use Tailwind CSS to simplify their styling process and keep their HTML clean, making it easier to manage complex designs. With Tailwind, you can ditch abstract styling and focus on building with ease.

Ann Predovic

Lead Writer

Ann Predovic is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for research, she has established herself as a go-to expert in various fields, including technology and software. Her writing career has taken her down a path of exploring complex topics, making them accessible to a broad audience.

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