Crafting a Responsive Pricing Table Component with HTML and Tailwind CSS
When it comes to building custom interfaces, having the right tools can make all the difference. That’s why we’re excited to dive into the world of Tailwind CSS, a utility-first CSS framework that offers unparalleled flexibility and customization.
Why Choose Tailwind CSS?
Unlike other frameworks, Tailwind CSS doesn’t come with pre-configured styles and components. Instead, it provides a set of unopinionated building blocks, known as utility or helper classes, that allow you to style your components from scratch. This approach gives you the freedom to create truly unique designs without having to override unwanted styles.
Getting Started with Tailwind CSS
To begin, make sure you have Node.js ≥ v8.0 and npm ≥ v5.2 installed on your system. You’ll also need a basic understanding of Tailwind CSS.
First, create a new project directory and navigate to it in your terminal. Then, install Tailwind CSS using npm by running the following command:
npm install tailwindcss
This will add the latest stable version of Tailwind CSS as a dependency. Next, create a default configuration scaffold by running:
npx tailwindcss init
This command generates an empty tailwind.config.js file in your project’s base directory, where you can define any customizations.
Configuring Your Style Guide
In the tailwind.config.js file, define your custom styles, such as width, color, and fonts, inside the theme object. For example:
javascript
module.exports = {
theme: {
extend: {
colors: {
primary: '#3498db',
secondary: '#f1c40f',
},
fontFamily: {
sans: ['Montserrat', 'ans-serif'],
},
},
},
}
Creating the Base HTML Structure
With your configuration file set up, it’s time to create the base HTML structure for your pricing table component. Start by adding a header element inside your body tag, followed by a h2 element containing the pricing text.
Next, create a section tag with an article tag inside, which will contain your pricing information. Replicate the article tag two more times and change the content inside each one.
Styling Your Pricing Component with Tailwind CSS
Now it’s time to add some style to your HTML using Tailwind CSS. Start by giving your body tag a height of 100% and a font smoothing of antialiased. Then, change the font family to Montserrat, the font you defined in your configuration file.
Next, style your header tag with a flex class and a flex-direction of column. Align your items to the center on the main axis and increase the font size of your pricing text.
Extracting Duplicate Utility Classes to a Component
To take your component to the next level, consider extracting duplicate utility classes to a component, such as the styles in your article tag. This will allow you to reuse these styles throughout your project and keep your code DRY.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we’ve explored the power of Tailwind CSS in building a responsive pricing table component from scratch. With its utility-first approach and customizable nature, Tailwind CSS is the perfect tool for any frontend developer looking to take their skills to the next level.
Check out the repository for this article on GitHub and the hosted demo on Netlify to see the final result in action. Happy coding!