How to Add CSS in Webflow

Webflow empowers you to build stunning websites visually. However, sometimes you need to dive into code to achieve unique designs or functionalities. This guide will walk you through adding custom CSS and JavaScript to your Webflow website, from basic implementation to advanced techniques.

Understanding Webflow's Style Manager

Webflow provides a powerful visual style manager. Before jumping into custom code, familiarize yourself with it. This tool lets you control various aspects of your website's appearance without writing a single line of code.

Key features:

  • Visual styling: Customize fonts, colors, and spacing.
  • Class system: Apply reusable styles across multiple elements.
  • Responsive controls: Adjust styles for different screen sizes.
  • Typography settings: Manage fonts, weights, and alignments.

💡 Using the Style Manager efficiently can often eliminate the need for custom CSS in many cases.

Adding Custom CSS to Webflow

Sometimes, the visual style manager isn't enough. That's where custom CSS comes in.

How to add custom CSS:

  • Navigate to your Project Settings.
  • Go to the Custom Code tab.
  • Find the Head Code or Footer Code sections.
  • Paste your CSS code within <style> tags.

⚡ Place CSS in the Head Code for immediate styling. Place it in the footer if it is not critical for the first page load.

Example:

<style>
.my-custom-class {
    color: blue;
    font-weight: bold;
}
</style>

Webflow Custom CSS and the Class System

Webflow's class system is essential for efficient CSS management. Apply your custom CSS to specific classes to avoid unintended styling changes across your website.

  • Webflow class system: Create reusable styles for multiple elements.
  • Global vs. local styles: Keep styles organized and prevent conflicts.

✅ Use Webflow’s class system to ensure design consistency and streamline updates.

Inline CSS vs. External Styles in Webflow

For simple, element-specific styling, you might consider inline CSS. However, for larger projects, adding external CSS via the custom code section is recommended to keep your code organized.

Comparison:

Inline CSS External CSS
Quick for small, one-time changes. Better for maintainability and scalability.
Applied directly to an element. Stored in the project’s custom code section.

💡 Use inline styles for rapid fixes but external CSS for long-term styling control.

Adding JavaScript to Webflow

JavaScript enables dynamic functionalities, such as animations, interactions, and form validations.

How to add JavaScript:

  • Go to your Project SettingsCustom Code tab.
  • Paste your JavaScript code within <script> tags.
  • For external scripts, use <script src="your-script.js"></script>.

Example:

<script>
console.log("Hello from Webflow!");
</script>

⚡ Place JavaScript in the Footer Code whenever possible to improve page load speed.

Webflow JavaScript and CSS Integration

Webflow allows seamless integration of JavaScript and CSS. You can use JavaScript to dynamically modify CSS styles or trigger animations based on user interactions.

  • Webflow interactions and animations styling: Control animations with JavaScript.
  • Modify CSS properties dynamically: Adjust styles based on user behavior.

Webflow Embed Code for Styling and Scripting

The Embed Code element is a powerful tool for adding custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript directly to specific sections of your website.

How to use embed code for styling:

  • Drag the Embed element onto your Webflow page.
  • Paste custom CSS inside <style> tags.
  • Save and preview the changes.

✅ The Embed element allows page-specific styling without affecting global styles.

Webflow Responsive Design with CSS

Ensure your custom CSS is responsive by using media queries to adjust styles for different screen sizes.

Example:

<style>
@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .my-custom-class {
        font-size: 14px;
    }
}
</style>

⚡ Test your styles across multiple devices to ensure consistency.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, CSS and JavaScript may not work as expected. Here’s how to fix common issues:

Issue Solution
CSS not applying Check for syntax errors and confirm your selectors are correct.
JavaScript not working Use the browser console to debug errors and ensure external libraries are loaded.

Webflow Custom Code Editor

While Webflow doesn't have a built-in code editor, using an external editor like VS Code for writing CSS and JavaScript is recommended.

Benefits of an external editor:

  • Syntax highlighting: Improves readability.
  • Code completion: Helps write cleaner code faster.
  • Version control: Keeps track of changes.

Custom Code Embed – This guide explains how to add custom blocks of code to your Webflow website using the Code Embed element, enabling enhanced functionality and design customization.

Custom Code in Head and Body Tags – Learn how to integrate custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript into your Webflow project by adding code to the head and body tags, extending your website's capabilities.

Custom CSS Properties and Values – Understand how to apply custom CSS properties and values within Webflow, allowing for more precise styling and control over your website's appearance.

Webflow Updates: Custom CSS Properties and Values – Explore Webflow's targeted expansion of supported CSS properties and values, empowering richer designs and smoother workflows.

3 Tips for Using Custom Code in Webflow – Gain insights into best practices for implementing custom code in your Webflow projects, ensuring functionality and compatibility.

Enhance Your Webflow with Powerful Widgets!

Elfsight created dozens of useful plugins to make your website more attractive and boost its performance in so many ways. Try these no-code solutions for free on Webflow!

Conclusion

Adding custom CSS and JavaScript to your Webflow website unlocks a world of design and functionality possibilities. By understanding the basics and following best practices, you can create truly unique and engaging websites.

Leverage Webflow’s style manager and class system to streamline your workflow and maintain consistency.