CSS framework

A CSS framework is a software library allowing for easier, more standards-compliant web design using Cascading Style Sheets. 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.

Modules and tools offered by CSS frameworks include:

• 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 such as 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 such as Less or Sass.

List of notable CSS frameworks