Container Queries
CSS feature allowing elements to adapt their styling based on their container's dimensions rather than viewport size.
Definition
Container queries enable CSS styles to respond to the size and properties of a specific container element rather than the entire viewport. This allows components to adapt their layout based on available space within their parent container, regardless of screen size.
This approach enables truly modular responsive design where components can be placed anywhere in a layout and automatically adjust their appearance based on local context rather than global viewport dimensions, creating more flexible and reusable interface elements.
Why It Matters
Container queries solve longstanding responsive design challenges, enabling components to work perfectly in sidebars, modals, or full-width layouts without custom modifications. This dramatically improves component reusability and reduces maintenance overhead.
Development teams can create more sophisticated layouts with sidebar content, dashboard widgets, and card-based interfaces that adapt intelligently to their context, improving user experiences across diverse content arrangements and device types.
Examples in Practice
News websites use container queries to make article cards display differently when placed in narrow sidebars versus wide feature sections, optimizing readability in each context.
Dashboard applications employ container queries to make widgets automatically switch between detailed and summary views based on available space, maximizing information density.
E-commerce product grids use container queries to adjust product card layouts based on container width, ensuring optimal presentation whether displayed in search results, category pages, or recommendation sections.