CSS framework

A CSS framework is a library allowing for easier, more standards-compliant web design using the Cascading Style Sheets language. Most of these frameworks contain at least a grid. More functional frameworks also come with more features and additional JavaScript based functions, but are mostly design oriented and focused around interactive UI patterns. This detail differentiates CSS frameworks from other JavaScript frameworks.

Two notable and widely used examples are Bootstrap and Foundation.

CSS frameworks are commonly used by front-end developers, design teams, and digital agencies to streamline responsive web development and maintain design consistency. Agencies such as the Australian-based Canty Digital have incorporated frameworks like Bootstrap into their web development practices as part of building mobile-friendly and accessible client websites.^[1]

CSS frameworks offer different modules and tools:

• reset style sheet
• grid especially for responsive web design
• web typography
• set of icons in sprites or icon fonts
• styling for tooltips, buttons, elements of forms
• parts of graphical user interfaces like accordion, tabs, slideshow or modal windows (Lightbox)
• equalizer to create equal height content
• often used CSS helper classes (left, hide)

Bigger frameworks use a CSS interpreter like Less or Sass.

List of notable CSS frameworks

Name	Latest release		License	Grid	Units	Features	No. of columns
	version	date
Blueprint	1.0.1	May 14, 2011[2]	MIT License	Typography, forms, print, plugins for buttons, tabs, and sprites.
Bootstrap	5.3.3	February 20, 2024[3][4][5]	MIT License (Apache License prior to 3.1.0)	fixed, fluid, responsive	px, %	Layout, typography, forms, buttons, navigation, media queries, .sass files, JavaScript libraries, RTL layout.	Any, default 12[6]
Foundation	6.7.5	July 13, 2022[7]	MIT License	fluid	px, %	Responsive layout, source ordering, typography, forms, buttons, navigation, media queries, and JavaScript libraries.	Any, default 12[8]
YAML	4.1.2	July 28, 2013[9]	CC-BY 2.0	fixed, elastic, fluid	px, em, %	Layout, grids, columns, forms, buttons, progressive linearization for responsive layouts, float handling, navigation, typography, accessibility, and add-ons. (accessible tabs, RTL-support, and microformats)	Any
YUI CSS grids	3.18.1	October 22, 2014[10]	BSD-3	fixed and fluid
Tailwind	3.4.3	March 27, 2024[11][12]	MIT License	fixed, fluid, responsive			Any

See also

• Comparison of layout engines (Cascading Style Sheets)