The :root pseudo class in css

  • The `:root` pseudo-class in CSS is a powerful selector that matches the highest-level parent element in a document, which is the root element of the document. In HTML, this is always the `<html>` element. The `:root` pseudo-class is mostly used in combination with CSS custom properties (also known as CSS variables) to define global variables that can be accessed anywhere within the document.
Features of the `:root` Pseudo-Class
  • Global Scope: Variables defined within `:root` are accessible from any part of the CSS document, making them global variables.
  • Specificity: The `:root` selector has a higher specificity than the `html` selector but is lower than an id selector or inline styles.
  • Maintainability: It simplifies the management of styles that need to be consistent across the entire webpage, such as theme colors, font sizes, and spacing.
  • Easy Theming: By changing a few variables in `:root`, the entire look and feel of a website can be altered, which is particularly useful for theming or responsive design.
Example of Using `:root`
  • Here's a practical example demonstrating the use of `:root` for defining CSS variables and applying these variables throughout the stylesheet:


  /* Define global variables inside :root */
  :root {
    --main-color: #3498db;
    --accent-color: #e74c3c;
    --font-stack: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
    --padding: 20px;
  }

  /* Using CSS variables in various selectors */
  body {
    font-family: var(--font-stack);
    background-color: var(--main-color);
    color: white;
    padding: var(--padding);
  }

  h1 {
    color: var(--accent-color);
  }

  button {
    background-color: var(--accent-color);
    border: none;
    padding: 10px;
    border-radius: 5px;
    color: white;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: background-color 0.3s;
  }

  button:hover {
    background-color: darken(var(--accent-color), 10%);
  }

In this example:

  • We define a set of CSS variables within the `:root` selector including colors, font, and padding.
  • These variables are then reused throughout the CSS to style various elements (`body`, `h1`, `button`).
  • This approach ensures consistency across the website and makes it easier to update the styles by changing just a few lines in the `:root` block.
  • Using `:root` is particularly effective for large-scale and complex websites where maintaining consistency and scalability in styling can be challenging. It also plays a crucial role in responsive design, where different styles might be applied based on media queries, yet can still use the same underlying set of variable definitions.

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