Tiny CSS
For small, minimalist projects — personal sites, prototypes, simple landing pages. Write as little CSS as possible and let the browser do the rest.
Core Principles
- Trust the browser — Don't reset what already works
- Use modern features — Let CSS handle what JavaScript used to do
- Respect user preferences — Honor system settings for motion, contrast, and color schemes
- Write resilient styles — Use logical properties for internationalization
Guidelines
Don't Declare Base Font Size
Let the browser handle the base font size, which defaults to 100% (typically 16px). Users can adjust this in their browser settings for accessibility.
/* Don't do this */
:root {
font-size: 16px;
}
html {
font-size: 100%;
}
body {
font-size: 1rem;
}
/* Do nothing — the browser already handles this */
Use System Font with Better Glyphs
Enable distinct characters for uppercase I, lowercase l, and slashed zero in San Francisco font.
:root {
font-family: system-ui;
font-feature-settings: "ss06";
}
Improve Text Wrapping
Prevent widows and improve line breaks.
:where(h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6) {
text-wrap: balance;
}
:where(p) {
text-wrap: pretty;
}
Don't Declare Default Colors
Skip declaring color and background-color on the root. Browser defaults work and respect user preferences.
/* Don't do this */
body {
color: #000;
background-color: #fff;
}
/* Do nothing — browser defaults are fine */
Enable Light and Dark Modes
Use color-scheme to automatically support light and dark modes based on user system preferences.
:root {
color-scheme: light dark;
}
Customize Interactive Element Colors
Use accent-color to change the color of checkboxes, radio buttons, range sliders, and progress bars.
:root {
accent-color: #0066cc; /* Replace with desired color */
}
Match SVG Icons with Text Color
Make SVG icons inherit the current text color automatically.
:where(svg) {
fill: currentColor;
}
Use Logical Properties
Write CSS that works across all languages and writing directions. Use logical properties instead of physical ones.
/* Don't do this */
.card {
margin-left: 1rem;
margin-right: 1rem;
padding-top: 2rem;
padding-bottom: 2rem;
width: 20rem;
min-height: 20rem;
}
/* Do this */
.card {
margin-inline: 1rem;
padding-block: 2rem;
inline-size: 20rem;
min-block-size: 20rem;
}
Make Media Embeds Responsive
Ensure images, videos, and iframes scale proportionally.
:where(img, svg, video, iframe) {
max-inline-size: 100%;
block-size: auto;
}
Add Pointer Cursors to Interactive Elements
Provide a baseline hover affordance for all clickable elements.
:where(input:is([type="checkbox"], [type="radio"]), select, label, button) {
cursor: pointer;
}
Support Forced Colors Mode
Ensure buttons remain visible in Windows High Contrast Mode by adding explicit borders.
@media (forced-colors: active) {
:where(button) {
border: 1px solid;
}
}
Enable Smooth Scrolling Conditionally
Apply smooth scrolling only when the user hasn't requested reduced motion.
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
:root {
scroll-behavior: smooth;
}
}
Minimal Base Stylesheet
Here's a complete minimal base that incorporates all guidelines:
:root {
color-scheme: light dark;
accent-color: #0066cc;
font-family: system-ui;
font-feature-settings: "ss06";
}
:where(h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6) {
text-wrap: balance;
}
:where(p) {
text-wrap: pretty;
}
:where(img, svg, video, iframe) {
max-inline-size: 100%;
block-size: auto;
}
:where(svg) {
fill: currentColor;
}
:where(input:is([type="checkbox"], [type="radio"]), select, label, button) {
cursor: pointer;
}
@media (forced-colors: active) {
:where(button) {
border: 1px solid;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
:root {
scroll-behavior: smooth;
}
}