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Peter Gitonga
Peter Gitonga

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Useful CSS Breakpoints for Web Developers

As a web developer, achieving a responsive and visually pleasing layout across various devices can be a daunting task. After grappling with margin-related challenges in my websites with both Tailwind CSS and vanilla CSS, I found out how to strategically implement CSS breakpoints.

Breakpoints are markers that tell your site when to adapt to different screen sizes. Let's hear what each has to say.

1. Small Mobile (e.g. iPhone 4): Up to 320px

Starting at the smallest end, accommodate devices with compact screens like the iPhone 4 to ensure a seamless and visually appealing experience for their users.

2. Mobile: Up to 480px

Expanding the scope slightly, the mobile breakpoint (up to 480px) caters to a broader range of smartphones.

3. Small Devices: 481px - 767px

Navigating through the territory of small devices, this breakpoint can serve devices with typical mobile and tablet dimensions i.e. small tablets or larger smartphones.

4. Tablets: 768px - 991px

As we move to larger screens, the tablet breakpoint (768px - 991px) provides a layout optimized for tablet devices. On top of improving UX, it also enables make the most of the additional screen real estate

5. Large Tablets & Small Laptops: 992px - 1199px

Balancing the transition from tablets to larger screens, 992px - 1199px breakpoint caters to large tablets and small screen laptops.

6. Laptops & Desktops: 1200px - 1919px

For the mainstream computing devices, laptops, and desktops, this breakpoint (1200px - 1919px) optimizes the layout to utilize the increased width. It ensures that your content is elegantly presented without overwhelming the user.

7. Extra Large Screens: 1920px and up

Finally, for users with extra-large screens, the 1920px-and-up breakpoint tailors the design to make the most of the available space.

At a glance

➨ Small mobile e.g. iPhone 4: up to 320px
➨ Mobile: up to 480px
➨ Small devices: 481px to 767px
➨ Tablets: 768px to 991px
➨ Large tablets & small laptops: 992px to 1199px
➨ Laptops & Desktops: 1200px to 1919px
➨ Extra large screens: 1920px and up

In conclusion, implementing these breakpoints not only resolved my struggles with margins but also enhanced the overall user experience across the devices used to access those sites.

Below are the snapshots for setting up these screen breakpoints in Tailwind config and vanilla CSS.

Vanilla CSS
Vanilla CSS

Tailwind - rename the property names
Tailwind CSS

How does your breakpoints' setup look like? Share it on the comments

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