React Native vs ReactJS – What's Different in Styling and Layout?

React is a powerful tool for building modern user interfaces, whether you're developing for the web or mobile. But if you've worked with ReactJS and are now exploring React Native, you've probably noticed—things don't work quite the same, especially when it comes to styling and layout structure.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the key differences between ReactJS and React Native in terms of how they handle HTML structure and CSS styling. Whether you're making the jump from web to mobile, or just curious about how the two compare, this guide will help clear things up—with practical examples and tips you can apply right away.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Don’t use HTML tags in React Native: React Native doesn’t recognize tags like <div>, <span>, or <p>. Always use the React Native components like <View>, <Text>, and <TouchableOpacity>.

• Don’t mix CSS and React Native styles: React Native doesn’t support CSS. All styling must be done using JavaScript objects with the StyleSheet.create() method.

• Platform-specific behaviors: Keep in mind that React Native works on mobile devices, so things like layout and touch events might behave differently compared to ReactJS.