Unlock the Power of CSS: 5 Exciting Features to Boost Your Development

CSS Subgrid: A Game-Changer for Grid Layouts

CSS Grid is a flexible layout module that allows developers to create complex layouts without resorting to JavaScript or messy CSS hacks. But what if you want to include some (or all) of the grandchild elements of a grid container in the grid layout too? That’s where the CSS subgrid comes into play.

.grid-item {
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: repeat(3, 1fr);
}

By adding the grid-template-columns and grid-template-rows properties to a grid item, you can enable it to adopt its parent’s grid tracks, creating a seamless grid layout.

Flexbox Gaps: Simplifying Layouts with Ease

Adding gaps between flex rows or columns has long been a challenge for developers. The solution? The gap property, which allows you to add spaces between flex items without the need for margins or negative margins.

.flex-container {
  display: flex;
  gap: 20px;
}

Currently supported in Edge 84+, Firefox 63+, Chrome 84+, and Opera 70+, this feature is a breath of fresh air for anyone working with flexbox layouts.

The Content-Visibility Property: Boosting Performance

The content-visibility property enables you to manage the rendering process of off-screen elements, significantly improving the rendering performance of your page.

.off-screen-element {
  content-visibility: hidden;
}

With three values to choose from – visible, hidden, and auto – you can tailor your approach to suit your needs. Already supported in Chrome 85+, Edge 85+, and Opera 71+, this feature is a must-know for anyone looking to optimize their website’s performance.

The Contain-Intrinsic-Size Property: Defining Explicit Width and Height

The contain-intrinsic-size property defines the explicit width and height of elements with size containment activated, preventing them from collapsing to zero under certain circumstances.

.element {
  contain-intrinsic-size: 200px 300px;
}

By setting an explicit width and/or height, you can ensure that your elements behave as expected, even when content visibility is set to auto. Currently supported in Chrome 83+, Edge 83+, and Opera 69+, this feature is a valuable addition to any developer’s toolkit.

The :is() and :where() Pseudo-Classes: Simplifying CSS Selectors

The :is() and :where() pseudo-classes make it possible to reduce repetition in longer CSS selector lists.

:is(header, main, footer) {
  background-color: #f0f0f0;
}

:where(.class1, .class2) {
  color: #666;
}

By marking unique items within repetitive selectors, you can simplify your code and make it easier to maintain. With :is() supported in Firefox 78+ and Safari 14+, and :where() supported in Firefox 78+, these features are sure to revolutionize the way you write CSS.