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CSS “variables” are formally called custom properties. Declare one with a name beginning with two hyphens, then use var(--name) inside another property value. Put shared design tokens on :root, and override them on a component or its ancestors when you need a local theme.

Declare and use a CSS custom property

A custom property declaration looks like any other CSS declaration, except its name starts with --. Use var() to substitute its value into a regular property:

:root {
  --brand-color: rebeccapurple;
  --space-unit: 0.5rem;
}

.button {
  background-color: var(--brand-color);
  padding: calc(var(--space-unit) * 2);
}

Here, :root selects the document’s root element and makes the tokens available to its descendants through inheritance. It is a common place for site-wide values, not a requirement: you can declare a custom property on any element. Names are case-sensitive, so --brand-color and --Brand-color are different properties.

Scope a value and override it for a component

Ordinary double-hyphen custom properties inherit. Their value applies to the element where it is declared and, unless overridden, its descendants. A nearer declaration can change the value used within that subtree:

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.card {
  --surface-color: white;
  background-color: var(--surface-color);
}

.card--dark {
  --surface-color: #222;
}

If an element matches both classes, its local --surface-color declaration participates in the normal cascade; descendants ordinarily inherit the resulting value. A declaration on one sibling does not become a value that an unrelated sibling can read. Custom properties follow the cascade and inheritance rather than acting like program-language variables or global text replacements. MDN explains that double-hyphen custom properties are subject to the cascade and inherit from their parent.

Provide a fallback with var()

The optional second argument to var() supplies a value when the referenced custom property is unavailable in the relevant sense, such as an unset, unregistered property:

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.notice {
  color: var(--notice-color, #333);
}

For a layered fallback, nest another var() call:

.panel {
  background-color: var(--panel-color, var(--surface-color, white));
}

The browser tries --panel-color, then --surface-color, then white. This runtime fallback does not make a browser that lacks custom-property support understand var(). MDN’s var() reference documents the function and its fallback behavior.

Know when a substituted value makes a declaration invalid

A custom property stores a token value; ordinary custom properties do not validate that value against the property where it will eventually be used. The substituted result still has to be valid for the consuming property:

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:root {
  --text-color: 16px;
}

p {
  color: var(--text-color);
}

16px is a length, not a valid color, so the resulting color declaration is invalid at computed-value time. A var() fallback does not rescue an invalid value for the consuming property: the custom property exists, so its value is substituted, and the resulting declaration fails. Check that a token’s value is suitable for every property that uses it.

Register a custom property with @property

For advanced cases, @property lets you declare a custom property’s syntax, inheritance behavior, and initial value. This can constrain values and enable typed animation:

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@property --progress {
  syntax: "<percentage>";
  inherits: false;
  initial-value: 0%;
}

.progress-bar {
  width: var(--progress);
}

Unlike an ordinary custom property, this registered property is configured not to inherit, has a declared percentage syntax, and has an initial value. That initial value also matters for fallback behavior: a registered property with a non-universal syntax and an initial value may resolve to that value instead of being unavailable for the var() fallback. MDN marks @property Baseline 2024; check compatibility for the browsers and embedded webviews you need to support.

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Choose ordinary or registered properties

Behavior Ordinary custom property Registered with @property
Value syntax Not constrained by a declared syntax Can declare a syntax, such as <percentage>
Inheritance Inherits by default Set explicitly with inherits
Initial value No registration-defined initial value Can define one with initial-value
Typed animation Not available as a registered typed value Registered typed values can be animated
Availability guidance var() is widely available; MDN says it has been available across browsers since April 2017 MDN marks @property Baseline 2024

MDN’s availability labels are documentation guidance, not a guarantee for every browser version or embedded webview. See its var() compatibility information and @property compatibility information for your target environment.

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Know where var() cannot be used

var() substitutes a value inside a property declaration. It cannot parameterize CSS syntax outside property values, including:

  • Selectors or property names
  • Media-query conditions
  • Container-query conditions

Write responsive query conditions directly, then use custom properties in declarations inside the matching rules:

:root {
  --page-gutter: 1rem;
}

@media (min-width: 48rem) {
  .layout {
    padding-inline: var(--page-gutter);
  }
}

Troubleshoot common custom-property problems

  • The value appears unset: Check the spelling and capitalization of the --name, and confirm the declaration applies to the element or one of its ancestors.
  • A descendant gets an unexpected value: Inspect the cascade for a closer declaration or another rule that overrides the inherited token.
  • The fallback does not appear: If the custom property is set but its value is invalid for the consuming property, the fallback is not used. Make the token valid for that property or provide a suitable value at the declaration site.
  • A query condition does not respond to a token: Custom properties cannot supply media- or container-query conditions. Put the breakpoint directly in the query.
  • Older browsers fail to understand the CSS: A var() fallback is not a polyfill for browsers without custom-property support. Check the target browsers’ compatibility before relying on the feature.

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