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FOR DEVELOPERS
Top 10 CSS Frameworks You Should Know About
Designing an attractive website is not an easy task, it requires a lot of effort from the developers. Considering that in modern times people use devices such as smartphones, tablets, and desktops/laptops to view a website and interact with it. A beautiful and eye-catching website can be created using CSS, but creating this type of website for all devices using just vanilla CSS can be a hectic task. Therefore, to save developers time and make their tasks easy, different types of CSS frameworks are available in the market. Before learning about top CSS frameworks, let’s briefly understand CSS.
Table of Contents
What is CSS?
CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheet. With the help of CSS, you can target any HTML element present in the website and can manipulate and style them according to the requirements. CSS saves a lot of time while designing a web page as you style multiple elements and sections simultaneously. In simple words, you can say that CSS is used to make a website more attractive and user-friendly.
CSS frameworks
Designing an attractive website takes a lot of effort. Developers have to tackle many challenges while designing a website as they have to consider the design for all devices. Not that these tasks can’t be performed by vanilla CSS, but it takes a lot of time and also they have to write a lot of CSS code that too in a different file. Thanks to the CSS frameworks that have made the life of developers much easier. CSS frameworks save a lot of time and also help to build beautiful and responsive websites or web applications much more easily as compared to vanilla CSS.
These frameworks consist of basic ready-to-use structures such as flex, grid, tooltips, buttons, forms, icons, etc which can be used anywhere in the project. Development through frameworks is very fast and consistent. CSS frameworks are mobile-first framework that enables to create responsive websites with less effort. These frameworks are mostly open-source and they have a large community and support.
Now, that we know what CSS framework is, you must be thinking about which CSS framework is the best or which one should be used regularly. No framework can be considered as best, every framework has its pros and cons. So, we must use them according to our needs. But, below are the top 10 CSS frameworks that can be considered while developing a web page.
Top 10 CSS frameworks
Now, let us look into the top 10 CSS frameworks.
Bootstrap
Bootstrap is one of the most popular frameworks of CSS available for web development. It is a free and open-source CSS framework designed to be responsive and directed at mobile-first frontend web development. It was developed by Twitter. It contains HTML, CSS, and Javascript-based design templates such as forms, tables, typography, buttons, nav bar, etc.
Before starting with Bootstrap, first, you must incorporate it into the project. This can be done through the CDN link. After bringing Bootstrap into your project you just have to use the pre-defined class for designing, which is super simple and easy. You can always go to their official documentation for more clarity.
Let us see a simple example:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <title>Bootstrap - CSS Framework</title> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.4.1/css/bootstrap.min.css"> <script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.6.3/jquery.min.js"></script> <script src="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.4.1/js/bootstrap.min.js"></script> </head> <body><div class="jumbotron text-center"> <h2>Hello Bootstrap!!</h2> <p>This is an example of Bootstrap.</p> <p> <button class="btn btn-primary">Primary-Button</button> <button class="btn btn-success">Success-Button</button> </p> <p> <button class="btn btn-danger">Danger-Button</button> </p> </div>
</body> </html>
Here, we have brought Bootstrap through the CDN link and have used the Bootstrap classes wherever we wanted to apply the design.
The code output:
Foundation
Just like Bootstrap, Foundation is also a popular CSS framework. It is a free, open-source, and responsive front-end framework. This framework was developed by ZURB. Foundation also comes with pre-defined components such as forms, buttons, tables, typography, etc. that make it easy to design attractive responsive websites. After bringing the framework through CDN or using CLI here, you can use Foundation framework classes easily.
Here is a simple example:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <title>Foundation CSS</title> <link rel="stylesheet" href= "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/foundation-sites@6.7.4/dist/css/foundation.min.css" crossorigin="anonymous"> <script src= "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/foundation-sites@6.7.4/dist/js/foundation.min.js" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> </head><body> <h1 style="color: green;"> Hello Foundation!! </h1>
<h3>Foundation CSS Example</h3> <ul class="menu"> <li><a href="#">Link1</a></li> <li><a href="#">Link2</a></li> <li><a href="#">Link3</a></li> <li><a href="#">Link4</a></li> </ul> <button class="button primary">Primary Button</button><button class="button alert">Alert Button</button> </body>
</html>
The output of the code:
Here, we have used Foundation CSS framework classes for designing.
Materialize
Materialize CSS framework is a free and open-source frontend framework. It was created by Google. If you are working on a project which requires material design, this framework is the best. Almost all Google product is implemented on this framework. Again it comes with pre-defined components and classes such as cards, buttons, forms, typography, etc. It is used similarly to Bootstrap and Foundation.
Here is a simple example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"/>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1.0"/>
<title>Materialize CSS</title>
<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons" rel="stylesheet">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/materialize/1.0.0/css/materialize.min.css">
<link href="../../dist/css/materialize.min.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="screen,projection"/>
<link href="css/style.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="screen,projection"/>
</head>
<body class="#ede7f6 deep-purple lighten-5">
<div class="section no-pad-bot" id="index-banner">
<div class="container">
<h1 class="header center orange-text">Hello Materialize!!</h1>
<div class="row center">
<h5 class="header col s12 light">Materialize CSS Framework example</h5>
</div>
<div class="row center">
<a href="#" class="btn-large waves-effect waves-light orange">Orange Button</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>
The output of the code:
Here, we have used Materialize CSS framework classes to design the web page.
Semantic UI
Semantic UI is a CSS framework that is free and open-source and is based on natural language. The classes in this framework use syntax from natural languages. Semantic UI framework allows developers to build responsive and attractive web pages with minimal effort because of its user-friendly classes. It is used because of its thematic effects and the wide variety of components.
Here is an example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Semantic UI Example</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.4.1/jquery.slim.min.js" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/semantic-ui@2.4.2/dist/semantic.min.css">
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/semantic-ui@2.4.2/dist/semantic.min.js"></script>
<style type="text/css">
body {
background-color: #DADADA;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="ui text container vertical masthead center aligned segment">
<h1 class="ui header">
Hello Semantic!
</h1>
<h2>Semantic UI Framework Example</h2>
<div class="ui labeled button" tabindex="0">
<div class="ui red button">
<i class="heart icon"></i> Like
</div>
<a class="ui basic red left pointing label">
1,048
</a>
</div>
<button class="positive ui button">Positive Button</button>
</div>
</body>
</html>The output of the code:
Bulma
Bulma is a free and open-source CSS framework. It is based on Flexbox and it provides ready-to-use components for the frontend. You can use these predefined components to build responsive web pages easily. One of the best things about Bulma is that it is based only on CSS and does not require JavaScript.
Here is an example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<title>Bulma Framework</title>
<link rel="stylesheet"
href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/bulma/0.7.5/css/bulma.css">
<style>
body{
text-align: center;
height: 100vh;
}
</style>
</head>
<body class="has-background-grey-lighter">
<div class="container">
<h1 class="title is-1">
Hello Bulma!
</h1>
<h3 class="title is-3">
Bulma CSS Framework Example
</h3>
<button class="button is-primary">Primary Button</button>
<button class="button is-danger">Danger</button>
</div>
</body>
</html>Output of the code:
Tailwind CSS
Tailwind is a utility-first CSS framework which is highly flexible and customizable. In Tailwind, you can use utility classes for designing web pages, which gives us control over everything. You can customize each and every part of the website starting at the header of the page and finishing at the footer. Making a responsive website is also super easy as these classes provide huge assistance.
Here is an example of Tailwind CSS:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<title>Tailwind Example</title>
<script src="https://cdn.tailwindcss.com"></script>
</head>
<body>
<div class="flex flex-col justify-center items-center bg-slate-200 h-screen">
<h1 class="text-5xl">
Hello Tailwind!
</h1>
<h3 class="my-2 text-2xl">
Tailwind CSS Framework Example
</h3>
<div class="flex gap-2">
<button class="bg-green-500 hover:bg-green-700 text-white py-2 px-4 rounded-full">Success</button>
<button class="bg-red-500 hover:bg-red-700 text-white py-2 px-4 rounded-full">Cancel</button>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>Output of the code:
UIKit
UI Kit CSS Framework is famous among developers because of its minimalism feature. It is a lightweight CSS framework that is no less than other frameworks. You can design and customize elegant and attractive websites by using its pre-defined UI components such as forms, buttons, cards, and typography.
Here is an example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>UIKit Example</title>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<!-- UIkit CSS -->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/uikit@3.2.6/dist/css/uikit.min.css" />
</head>
<body class="uk-background-muted uk-height-large uk-text-center">
<div class="uk-padding">
<div class="uk-margin">
<h1 class="uk-text-bold">Hello UIKit !</h1>
</div>
<h3>UIKit Framework Example</h3>
<div class="uk-margin">
<button class="uk-button uk-button-primary">Primary</button>
<button class="uk-button uk-button-danger">Danger</button>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>Output of the code:
Pure.css
Pure.css is a Yahoo-developed framework. It was developed keeping the mobile device in mind hence, the entire set of modules is tiny. It contains a set of small and responsive CSS modules which helps in designing web pages. In this, you can use the module which is needed, unlike other frameworks where we have to import everything.
Here is a Pure.css example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Pure CSS Example</title>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/purecss@3.0.0/build/pure-min.css" integrity="sha384-X38yfunGUhNzHpBaEBsWLO+A0HDYOQi8ufWDkZ0k9e0eXz/tH3II7uKZ9msv++Ls" crossorigin="anonymous">
<style>
body{
background-color: #f8f8f8;
display:flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div>
<h1>Hello Pure CSS !</h1>
<h3>
Pure CSS Framework Example
</h3>
<p>
<button class="pure-button">Pure Button</button>
<button class="pure-button pure-button-primary">Primary Button</button>
</p>
</div>
</body>
</html>Output of the code:
Spectre.css
Spectre.css is a modern lightweight and responsive CSS framework. Spectre.css is free and open-source. It is based on Flexbox and comes with a set of styles for typography, buttons, forms, tables, etc which helps in developing responsive and beautiful websites.
Here is an example:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://unpkg.com/spectre.css/dist/spectre.min.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://unpkg.com/spectre.css/dist/spectre-exp.min.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://unpkg.com/spectre.css/dist/spectre-icons.min.css"> <title>Spectre CSS</title> </head><body class="bg-gray py-2 my-2"> <center> <h1 class="text-primary">Hello Spectre CSS</h1> <div> <span class="h3">Spectre.css Framework Example </div> <div> <button class="btn btn-success">success button</button> <button class="btn btn-error">error button</button> </div> </center> </body> </html>
Output of the code:
Material Design Lite
Material Design Lite is a CSS framework that provides components and styles based on Google’s Material Design guidelines. This framework has styles and components such as typography, button, forms, cards, etc. It is because of these components and the grid systems, you can easily create beautiful and responsive website layouts.
Here is an example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://code.getmdl.io/1.3.0/material.indigo-pink.min.css">
<style>
body{
background-color: #efefef;
}
</style>
<title>Material Design Lite</title>
</head>
<body class="bg-gray py-2 my-2">
<center>
<h1>Hello Material Design Lite</h1>
<div>
<h3>Material Design Lite CSS Framework Example</h3>
</div>
<div>
<button class="mdl-button mdl-js-button mdl-button--raised mdl-button--colored">
Colored Button
</button>
<button class="mdl-button mdl-js-button" disabled>
Disabled Button
</button>
</div>
</center>
</body>
</html>
Output of the code:
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the top 100 CSS frameworks which are widely used. These frameworks help CSS developers create beautiful and responsive websites easily. Choosing the right framework will make a huge difference. It will speed up the development process and will also increase the creativity of the developers. As mentioned earlier there is no best or worst framework. We have to choose the framework according to our project requirements and needs.
Author
Imbeshat Aslam
Imbeshat is a Web Development Enthusiast. A Frontend Developer, who is carving his path towards Fullstack Development. In his spare time he loves to write technical blogs and loves contributing to Open Source Projects.
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