Become proficient practically in CSS?

Table of contents

Do you want to become proficient in CSS?

CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is a stylesheet language used to describe the presentation and formatting of a document written in HTML or XML. In web development, HTML is used to structure the content of a webpage, while CSS is used to style and layout that content.

1. Styling Text:

  • Change font size, style, and color:

    • Adjust the appearance of text by specifying the font size, style (italic, bold), and color using properties like font-size, font-style, and color.
  • Adjust letter spacing and line height:

    • Fine-tune the spacing between letters with letter-spacing and control the space between lines using line-height.
  • Apply text shadow:

    • Add a shadow to text with the text-shadow property, providing depth and contrast.

2. Setting Backgrounds:

  • Change background color:

    • Modify the background color of elements using the background-color property.
  • Add background images:

    • Include images in the background using the background-image property.
  • Adjust background size and position:

    • Control the size and positioning of background images with properties like background-size and background-position.

3. Box Model:

  • Control element dimensions (width and height):

    • Set the width and height of elements using the width and height properties.
  • Set margins, borders, and padding:

    • Define spacing around and within elements using margin, border, and padding properties.

4. Positioning:

  • Position elements (relative, absolute, fixed):

    • Position elements within their containing elements using properties like position: relative, position: absolute, and position: fixed.
  • Align elements horizontally and vertically:

    • Use properties like text-align, vertical-align, and Flexbox/Grid alignment to control element alignment.
  • Float elements:

    • Float elements to the left or right within their containing elements using the float property.

5. Flexbox and Grid Layout:

  • Create flexible and responsive layouts using Flexbox:

    • Use Flexbox to create dynamic and responsive layouts, allowing for easy alignment and distribution of space among elements.
  • Design complex grid-based layouts using Grid:

    • Employ CSS Grid to structure layouts in rows and columns, enabling precise control over the placement of elements.

6. Responsive Design:

  • Use media queries to create responsive layouts for different screen sizes:

    • Apply media queries to adjust styles based on the device's characteristics, ensuring a seamless experience across various screen sizes.
  • Design fluid grids and flexible images:

    • Create layouts and images that scale proportionally with the viewport size, enhancing responsiveness.

7. Transformations and Transitions:

  • Rotate, scale, skew, or translate elements:

    • Apply transformations to elements using properties like transform to achieve effects like rotation, scaling, skewing, and translation.
  • Create smooth transitions and animations:

    • Use transition and animation properties to add smooth transitions and animations to elements, enhancing the user experience.

8. Selectors:

  • Target specific HTML elements using various selectors:

    • Select elements based on tag names, classes, IDs, attributes, and more to apply styles selectively.
  • Combine selectors for more specific targeting:

    • Combine multiple selectors to create more specific rules for styling, allowing for fine-grained control.

9. Pseudo-classes and Pseudo-elements:

  • Style elements based on their state (e.g., hover, active):

    • Use pseudo-classes like :hover and :active to apply styles based on user interactions.
  • Use pseudo-elements to style specific parts of an element (e.g., ::before, ::after):

    • Employ pseudo-elements to insert content before or after an element and style it independently.

10. Animations:

  • Create keyframe animations for more complex and customized effects:

    • Define keyframes with the @keyframes rule to create custom animations with multiple steps.
  • Use CSS animation properties for simple animations:

    • Apply CSS animation properties like animation-name, animation-duration, and others to control the animation behavior.

11. Transparency and Opacity:

  • Make elements semi-transparent using the opacity property:

    • Adjust the transparency of elements using the opacity property, allowing for subtle visual effects.
  • Control transparency with RGBA or HSLA color values:

    • Use RGBA or HSLA color values to specify colors with alpha channels, providing control over transparency.

12. Web Fonts:

  • Use custom fonts by importing them into your CSS:

    • Integrate custom fonts into your webpage by importing them using the @font-face rule.
  • Specify fallback fonts for compatibility:

    • Define fallback font options to ensure a consistent and readable experience, especially if the preferred fonts are unavailable.

13. Lists and Tables:

  • Style lists and list items:

    • Customize the appearance of lists and list items using CSS properties, enhancing visual presentation.
  • Customize table layouts and appearance:

    • Modify the layout and appearance of tables, including borders, spacing, and cell styles.

14. Forms:

  • Style form elements (input fields, buttons, etc.):

    • Enhance the visual appeal of form elements with CSS, creating a cohesive and user-friendly design.
  • Use pseudo-classes to highlight active form elements:

    • Apply styles to form elements based on their states, such as :focus for active input fields.

15. Responsive Images:

  • Ensure images scale appropriately with the size of the viewport:

    • Use responsive images that scale proportionally with the viewport size to maintain a visually appealing layout.
  • Use the max-width property to prevent images from overflowing their containers:

    • Apply the max-width property to images to prevent them from exceeding the width of their container.

16. Print Styles:

  • Create styles specifically for printed pages using media queries:

    • Utilize media queries to apply styles specifically tailored for printed documents, optimizing the appearance on paper.

17. Filters:

  • Apply visual effects to elements, such as blur, brightness, contrast, and grayscale:

    • Enhance visual appeal by applying filters to elements using properties like filter.

18. Variable Usage:

  • Define and use CSS variables (custom properties) to store and reuse values:

    • Improve maintainability by using custom properties (variables) to store values that can be reused throughout stylesheets.

19. Multi-column Layout:

  • Create multi-column layouts for text content using the column-count and related properties:

    • Utilize the column-count property to create multi-column layouts for text content, enhancing readability.

20. Outline:

  • Customize the outline style, color, and width of elements:

    • Apply styles to the outline of elements using properties like outline-style, outline-color, and outline-width.

21. Pointer Events:

  • Control how an element responds to mouse events using the pointer-events property:

    • Adjust the behavior of elements regarding mouse events, determining whether they can be interacted with or not.

22. Scrollbar Styling:

  • **Customize the appearance of scrollbars on elements using the ::-webkit-scrollbar pseudo

-elements:**

  • Apply styles to scrollbar elements for a more consistent and visually pleasing design.

23. CSS Shapes:

  • Use CSS to create geometric shapes, such as circles, ellipses, and polygons, to enhance visual design:

    • Employ CSS properties to create visually interesting shapes for elements, contributing to a unique design aesthetic.

24. User Interface (UI) Styling:

  • Style form elements, buttons, and other UI components for a more cohesive and visually appealing user experience:

    • Enhance the overall look and feel of user interface elements, contributing to a consistent and engaging user experience.

25. Counter Styles:

  • Define custom counter styles for use with CSS counters, allowing for unique list numbering and other counting scenarios:

    • Customize the appearance of counters in lists, providing a personalized and visually appealing numbering system.

26. CSS Grid Template Areas:

  • Utilize named grid areas to create complex and responsive layouts with CSS Grid:

    • Name specific areas within a CSS Grid layout to simplify the placement of items and create more readable code.

27. Variable Fonts:

  • Take advantage of variable fonts to provide more flexibility in typography, allowing for variations in weight, width, and other attributes:

    • Utilize variable fonts to enhance typographic design by adjusting font properties dynamically.

28. Viewport Units:

  • Use viewport units (vw, vh, vmin, vmax) to create layouts and styles that are relative to the viewport size:

    • Design layouts that respond to the dimensions of the viewport, providing a more adaptable and responsive user experience.

29. CSS Custom Properties (Variables):

  • Define and use custom properties (variables) to make your stylesheets more maintainable and flexible:

    • Leverage CSS custom properties to store and reuse values across stylesheets, facilitating easier maintenance.

30. Text Overflow:

  • Control how text overflows its container using properties like text-overflow and white-space:

    • Manage text overflow by specifying how text behaves when it exceeds the available space in its container.

31. Scroll Snap:

  • Implement scroll snapping for a smoother scrolling experience, especially useful for image carousels and content sections:

    • Enable scroll snapping to create a more controlled and visually appealing scrolling experience.

32. CSS Grid Alignment:

  • Align items within CSS Grid containers using properties like justify-items and align-items:

    • Control the alignment of items within CSS Grid containers both horizontally and vertically.

33. Aspect Ratio:

  • Maintain the aspect ratio of elements, like images or containers, using the aspect-ratio property:

    • Ensure that elements maintain a specific aspect ratio, contributing to a more harmonious layout.

34. Box Shadow and Border Radius:

  • Apply box shadows to elements for depth and dimension, and use border-radius to create rounded corners:

    • Enhance the visual appearance of elements by adding shadows for depth and rounding corners for a softer look.

35. CSS Shapes and Exclusions:

  • Use CSS shapes and exclusions to create non-rectangular layouts and text wrapping around irregular shapes:

    • Create visually interesting layouts and text wrapping effects using advanced CSS shapes and exclusions.

36. CSS Blend Modes:

  • Apply blending modes to elements, allowing for creative and visually interesting combinations of overlapping content:

    • Achieve unique visual effects by blending the colors of overlapping elements using CSS blend modes.

37. Logical Properties:

  • Use logical properties (inline-start, block-end, etc.) for more maintainable and internationalization-friendly styling:

    • Improve code maintainability and support internationalization by using logical properties that adapt to the text direction.

38. Gradient Backgrounds:

  • Create gradient backgrounds using the linear-gradient and radial-gradient functions for smooth color transitions:

    • Enhance the background of elements with smooth color transitions using CSS gradient functions.

39. CSS Variables in Media Queries:

  • Use CSS variables in combination with media queries to create responsive designs with dynamic property values:

    • Employ CSS variables within media queries to adapt styles based on changing conditions like viewport size.

40. Backdrop Filter:

  • Apply a backdrop filter to elements, allowing you to blur or alter the background behind an element:

    • Create visually appealing effects by applying a backdrop filter to elements, affecting the background behind them.

41. CSS Grid Auto Placement:

  • Utilize the auto-placement feature of CSS Grid to automatically position items within a grid:

    • Allow CSS Grid to automatically position items within a grid, simplifying layout creation.

42. Object Fit and Object Position:

  • Control the sizing and positioning of replaced elements (such as images or videos) within their containers:

    • Specify how images or videos should fit within their containers, adjusting sizing and positioning.

43. Custom Cursors:

  • Change the appearance of the cursor using the cursor property to provide visual feedback to users:

    • Customize the appearance of the cursor to provide visual cues and feedback based on user interactions.

44. CSS Counters:

  • Use CSS counters to automatically number items in lists or generate custom counters for other elements:

    • Implement automatic numbering for lists or create custom counters for various elements using CSS counters.

45. Scroll Behavior:

  • Define the scrolling behavior on a webpage using the scroll-behavior property for smooth scrolling animations:

    • Specify the scrolling behavior to create smooth scrolling animations, enhancing the user experience.

46. CSS Transforms:

  • Apply 2D and 3D transformations to elements, including rotation, scaling, and skewing:

    • Transform elements in both 2D and 3D space, providing dynamic visual effects.

47. CSS Variables in JavaScript:

  • Access and modify CSS variables dynamically using JavaScript to create interactive and dynamic user interfaces:

    • Use JavaScript to dynamically change CSS variable values, enabling interactive and responsive user interfaces.

48. Sticky Positioning:

  • Make elements "stick" to a specific position on the screen while scrolling using the position: sticky property:

    • Implement sticky positioning to create elements that remain fixed in a specific position as the user scrolls.

49. CSS Content Property:

  • Use the content property to insert additional content, such as generated text or decorative elements, into your document:

    • Insert additional content into elements using the content property, allowing for customization and decorative elements.

50. CSS Shapes Level 2:

  • Explore advanced features of CSS shapes, including the shape-outside property for better text wrapping:

    • Utilize advanced CSS shapes features like shape-outside to control text wrapping around irregular shapes.

51. Intrinsic Sizing:

  • Utilize intrinsic sizing properties like min-content, max-content, and fit-content for more precise control over element sizing:

    • Control the sizing of elements based on their intrinsic content, allowing for more precise layout control.

52. CSS Masonry Layout:

  • Create masonry-style layouts using the CSS Grid or Flexbox to arrange items in a staggered, visually appealing pattern:

    • Design layouts that resemble masonry structures, with items arranged in a staggered and visually pleasing manner.

53. CSS Feature Queries (continued):

  • Use feature queries (@supports) to apply styles only if a certain CSS feature is supported by the browser:

    • Employ feature queries to conditionally apply styles based on the browser's support for specific CSS features, ensuring a graceful degradation or enhancement.

54. CSS Grid Line Names:

  • Assign names to grid lines in CSS Grid Layout using the grid-template-rows and grid-template-columns properties:

    • Enhance readability and maintainability by assigning names to grid lines, making it easier to understand and manage grid layouts.

55. CSS Grid Gap:

  • Set the gap between rows and columns in CSS Grid Layout using the grid-row-gap and grid-column-gap properties:

    • Control the spacing between rows and columns in a CSS Grid layout, providing better control over the layout's visual appearance.

56. CSS Grid Area:

  • Use the grid-area property to place items into named grid areas, providing a convenient way to control layout:

    • Organize grid items within named areas for a more intuitive and efficient way of managing complex layouts.

57. CSS Overflow:

  • Manage content overflow using the overflow property, controlling whether content is clipped, hidden, or creates a scrollbar:

    • Specify how content should behave when it exceeds the dimensions of its container, preventing unintended visual issues.

58. CSS Filter Functions:

  • Apply a combination of filter functions (e.g., grayscale(), brightness(), contrast()) to achieve complex visual effects:

    • Combine filter functions to create sophisticated visual effects like grayscale, brightness adjustments, and contrast enhancements.

59. CSS Scroll Snap Type:

  • Define the scrolling behavior of a container along both axes using the scroll-snap-type property:

    • Implement precise control over scrolling behavior within a container, ensuring a more controlled and user-friendly experience.

60. CSS Grid Template:

  • Use the grid-template shorthand property to set both the grid template rows and columns in one declaration:

    • Simplify the code by using the grid-template shorthand property to set both row and column templates in a single declaration.

61. CSS Perspective:

  • Apply a perspective to transform elements in 3D space using the perspective and transform properties:

    • Add depth and dimensionality to elements by applying a 3D perspective, creating visually engaging effects.

62. CSS Object Model (CSSOM):

  • Access and manipulate CSS properties programmatically using JavaScript to create dynamic and interactive user interfaces:

    • Dynamically modify CSS properties through JavaScript, enabling interactive and responsive user interfaces.

63. CSS Grid Minmax Function:

  • Use the minmax() function in CSS Grid to set flexible grid tracks with minimum and maximum sizes:

    • Utilize the minmax() function to create flexible grid tracks that adapt to content while maintaining defined size constraints.

64. CSS Animations with Keyframes:

  • Create more complex animations by defining keyframes with the @keyframes rule:

    • Define specific animation steps and behaviors by using keyframes, allowing for intricate and customized animations.

65. CSS Grid Auto Flow:

  • Set the auto-placement algorithm for CSS Grid items using the grid-auto-flow property:

    • Control the automatic placement of grid items within a CSS Grid container, ensuring a streamlined and efficient layout.

66. CSS Containment:

  • Optimize rendering performance by using the contain property to isolate a subtree of the DOM from the rest of the page:

    • Improve rendering performance by isolating specific parts of the DOM, minimizing the impact of changes on the entire page.

67. CSS Flex Container Alignment:

  • Align and justify content within a flex container using properties like align-content and justify-content:

    • Fine-tune the alignment and justification of content within a flex container, ensuring a visually pleasing and well-organized layout.

68. CSS Chaining Selectors:

  • Chain multiple selectors together to apply styles to specific nested elements without duplicating rules:

    • Streamline CSS rules by chaining selectors, allowing for more efficient and concise styling of nested elements.

69. CSS Attribute Selectors:

  • Target and style elements based on their attribute values using attribute selectors ([attribute=value]):

    • Select and style elements based on specific attribute values, providing a flexible and dynamic styling approach.

70. CSS Variable Scope:

  • Understand the scoping rules of CSS variables, including global and local scopes, to effectively manage styles:

    • Grasp the scoping rules of CSS variables, ensuring that they are appropriately applied and overridden based on scope.

71. CSS Initial and Inherit Values:

  • Use the initial and inherit values to explicitly set the initial or inherited value of a CSS property:

    • Set CSS property values explicitly to their initial or inherited states, providing control over style inheritance.

72. CSS HSL and HSLA Colors:

  • Specify colors using the HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) and HSLA (HSL with alpha channel) color formats for more intuitive color representation:

    • Express colors using the HSL and HSLA formats, offering a more intuitive and flexible approach to color representation.

73. CSS :not() Selector:

  • Utilize the :not() pseudo-class to select elements that do not match a specific selector, allowing for more targeted styling:

    • Exclude specific elements from styling by using the :not() pseudo-class, providing fine-grained control over styling conditions.

These comprehensive topics cover a wide range of CSS techniques, from fundamental styling principles to advanced layout and interactive features, empowering developers to create visually appealing and highly functional web experiences.

0
Subscribe to my newsletter

Read articles from Saifur Rahman Mahin directly inside your inbox. Subscribe to the newsletter, and don't miss out.

Written by

Saifur Rahman Mahin
Saifur Rahman Mahin

I am a dedicated and aspiring programmer with a strong foundation in JavaScript, along with proficiency in key web development technologies like React, Next JS, Vue JS, Express JS, PHP, Laravel, MongoDB, and MySQL. I have a passion for creating interactive and dynamic web applications, and I'm committed to continuous learning and improvement in the ever-evolving world of programming. With my skills and enthusiasm, I'm excited to contribute to exciting projects and explore new opportunities in the field of web development.