Introduction
In the world of web development, time, speed, and efficiency are precious. No developer would like to write CSS from scratch, because it is time-consuming. Good news is that there are a variety of CSS libraries that provide pre-designed components and utilities which allows you to build beautiful, responsive designs faster and more efficiently. These top 10 CSS libraries you should know as web developer can save your valuable time, ensure consistent styling, and give you access to ready-made elements that are already optimized for modern web development.
Remember the famous line by Martial Arts star Bruce Lee:
Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is specifically your own.
Here’s a list of the Top 10 CSS Libraries you should know as web developer and that can help you speed up your web development:
1. Bootstrap
No one will be surprised to see Bootstrap on the top of the top 10 CSS libraries. It is the most popular CSS library created by Twitter in 2011. It is free and open-source. It’s well-known for its comprehensive collection of CSS components for typography, buttons, navigations, grids and more. Bootstrap also includes a JavaScript plugin for modal pop-ups, tooltips, and other dynamic elements.
Why Use It:
Mobile-first, easy-to-use, and great for creating responsive layouts.
Link: getbootstrap.com
2. Tailwind CSS
Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework released in 2015 . It focuses on speed and flexibility.
It’s different from traditional CSS libraries because it doesn’t come with pre-designed components. Instead, you create your design by composing utility classes directly in your HTML which makes Tailwind incredibly versatile. It allows you to create completely custom designs with minimal effort.
Why Use It:
Faster development with utility classes and highly customizable.
Link: tailwindcss.com
3. Bulma
Bulma is a modern, lightweight, and easy to use CSS framework based on Flexbox. It makes it incredibly easy to create responsive layouts and focuses on delivering a clean, modern look. With a rich collection of ready-to-use components and a modular structure, Bulma lets you import only the parts you need, making your project more efficient.
Why Use It:
Flexbox-based and modular, making it both powerful and lightweight.
Link: bulma.io
4. Foundation
Known for its flexibility, Foundation by ZURB is another well-established CSS framework. It provides responsive grid systems, pre-built UI components, and design elements that adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes. It also includes advanced typography settings, making it ideal for designers who want to focus on creating a unique look.
Why Use It:
Advanced customization options and responsive by design.
Link: get.foundation
5. Materialize
Materialize is a modern responsive front-end frame based on Google’s Material Design guidelines. It provides a sleek, modern look and comes with a variety of components like buttons, forms, and cards that are styled according to Material Design principles. Materialize also comes with JavaScript to add more functionality to any page such as modals and parallax scrolling.
Why Use It:
Implements Google’s Material Design principles for a modern look.
Link: materializecss.com
6. Semantic UI
Semantic UI is an open-source framework. It offers a different approach to styling by using human-friendly HTML to create responsive, modern web designs. It uses CSS and jQuery to build great user interfaces. Semantic UI focuses on making your code more readable and intuitive.It also offers a wide range of customization options, allowing you to adjust the design to meet your needs without writing much custom CSS.
Why Use It:
Focus on clean, human-readable HTML and powerful customization options.
Link: semantic-ui.com
7. Skeleton
If you’re embarking on a smaller project or you just need just a basic grid system and simple styles, Skeleton is your best companion. It’s only about 400 lines of code, which makes it extremely minimalistic. Despite its size, Skeleton provides you everything you need to create a responsive website quickly and efficiently.
Why Use It:
Minimalistic and lightweight, ideal for smaller projects.
Link: getskeleton.com
8. Pure CSS
Pure CSS developed by Yahoo, is a minimalistic CSS library which offers a set of responsive styles for common web elements. It’s modular, so you can choose to include only the parts you need, like grids or forms, without loading an entire framework. It’s ideal for developers who want to keep their projects lightweight.
Why Use It:
Modular and lightweight, designed for speed and simplicity.
Link: purecss.io
9. UIKit
UIkit is a modular and lightweight front-end framework for developing fast and powerful web interfaces. It offers a full suite of components, including buttons, sliders, modals, and more. UIKit also provides extensive documentation, making it easy for developers to implement the components into their projects.
Why Use It:
Full-featured with lots of ready-to-use components.
Link: getuikit.com
9. Milligram
Milligram is an ultra-lightweight CSS framework designed for performance. It provides a minimal yet effective set of styles and utilities, making it a great choice for projects where speed is essential. It’s easy to learn and can save you a significant amount of time when developing basic websites or applications.
Why Use It:
Focuses on simplicity and performance.
Link: milligram.io
Conclusion
Using CSS libraries can drastically improve your development workflow by providing pre-built components and layouts that save time and effort. Whether you’re working on a large-scale project or just need to whip up a simple design quickly, these CSS libraries will help you streamline your process and produce high-quality, responsive websites.
P.S.: If you are curios to know about how can an element be centered inside a div, we have discussed all the methods here: How to Center Element in div: A Complete Guide
