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:

Bigger frameworks use a CSS interpreter such as Less or Sass.

List of notable CSS frameworks

Name Latest release License Grid Units Features No. of columns
versiondate
Blueprint 1.0.1May 14, 2011 MIT License Typography, forms, print, plugins for buttons, tabs, and sprites.
Bootstrap 5.3.8August 26, 2025 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
Bulma 1.0.4 April 19, 2025 MIT License flexbox, CSS grid, responsive rem, px, %, CSS variables Layout, typography, forms, buttons, navigation, responsive columns, CSS grid Any
Foundation 6.9.0September 28, 2024 MIT License fluid px, % Responsive layout, source ordering, typography, forms, buttons, navigation, media queries, and JavaScript libraries. Any,
default 12
UI Kit 3.25.21 August 7, 2026 MIT License flexbox, responsive px, %, vw, rem Layout, grids, typography, forms, buttons, navigation, cards, modals, animations, responsive utils, components Any
YAML 4.1.2July 28, 2013 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 3.18.1October 22, 2014 BSD-3 fixed and fluid
Tailwind 4.3.0May 09, 2026 MIT License fixed, fluid, responsive Any

References

  1. ↑ "Releases · joshuaclayton/blueprint-css · GitHub". GitHub. Retrieved 23 April 2020. This repository has been archived by the owner. It is now read-only.
  2. ↑ "Releases · twbs/bootstrap · GitHub". GitHub. Archived from the original on 2014-06-01. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  3. ↑ Déramond, Julien (2024-02-20). "Bootstrap 5.3.3". blog.getbootstrap.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  4. ↑ "bootstrap". npm. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  5. ↑ Bootstrap documentation - Customizing the grid
  6. ↑ "Releases - Bulma - GitHub". GitHub. Retrieved 2026-09-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ "Releases · foundation/foundation-sites · GitHub". GitHub. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  8. ↑ Foundation documentation - The Grid
  9. ↑ "Releases - GitHub - UI Kit". GitHub. Retrieved 2026-09-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ "Releases · yamlcss/yaml · GitHub". GitHub. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  11. ↑ "Releases · yui/yui3 · GitHub". GitHub. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  12. ↑ "Releases · tailwindlabs/tailwindcss". GitHub. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  13. ↑ "tailwindcss". npm. 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-04-11.