CSS variables effectively manage styles by defining, using, dynamically updating and processing fallbacks. First, use -- to define variables in:root or specific elements, such as --primary-color: #007bff; then call them through the var() function in the style, such as background-color: var(--primary-color); then dynamically modify and change the value of the variables to achieve theme switching and other effects; finally, provide alternative styles for old browsers to ensure compatibility, such as setting background-color: #007bff as fallback.
CSS variables (also known as custom properties) are a powerful way to manage styles in your HTML and CSS. They let you store reusable values—like colors, font sizes, spacing—and use them throughout your stylesheet. Using them with HTML5 is straightforward once you understand the syntax and structure.

Here's how to get started using CSS variables effectively:
1. Define Your Variables
Variables are defined using the --
prefix inside a CSS selector. The most common place to define them is in the :root
pseudo-class, which makes them globally available across your entire document.

:root { --primary-color: #007bff; --font-size-base: 16px; }
You can also scope variables to specific elements if needed. For example:
.card { --card-padding: 1rem; }
This keeps styles modular and avoids global conflicts.

2. Use Variables in Your Styles
Once defined, you can use variables anywhere in your CSS using the var()
function.
button { background-color: var(--primary-color); font-size: var(--font-size-base); }
You can even use variables inside other CSS functions like rgba()
or calc()
:
.box { background-color: rgba(var(--primary-color), 0.8); }
This flexibility makes it easier to maintain consistent styling across your site.
3. Update Variables Dynamically
One of the biggest advantages of CSS variables is that they can be updated at runtime using JavaScript. This is super useful for things like theme switching or responsive design adjustments.
document.documentElement.style.setProperty('--primary-color', '#ff5722');
You can also read variable values:
const rootStyles = getComputedStyle(document.documentElement); const primaryColor = rootStyles.getPropertyValue('--primary-color').trim();
This opens up possibilities for dynamic UI behavior without needing preprocessors or frameworks.
4. Handle Fallbacks and Browser Support
While modern browsers support CSS variables pretty well, it's still a good idea to provide fallbacks when necessary.
.button { background-color: #007bff; /* Fallback */ background-color: var(--primary-color); }
Also, avoid relying solely on variables for critical layout styles if you're supporting very old browsers. In general, though, browser compatibility is solid for all major platforms today.
That's the basic workflow for using CSS variables with HTML5. They're not complicated, but they do require attention to syntax and scoping. Once you start using them regularly, you'll find them making managing large stylesheets much easier.
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