When embarking on small-scale, straightforward projects, the extensive features of large UI frameworks like Bootstrap may be unnecessary. Instead, leveraging minimalist CSS frameworks can be more beneficial. These frameworks offer a smoother learning curve, eliminate JavaScript dependencies, and enhance user load times. This article compiles a comprehensive list of compact CSS frameworks, each under 5 KB when minified and gzipped, providing the foundational elements for responsive web design.
For instance, min, the most compact framework on the list, includes a responsive 12-column grid, button and table styles, Android-compatible icons, and compatibility with ancient browsers such as Internet Explorer 5.5.
Milligram caters to modern UIs, utilizing FlexBox for its grid system, and adopting a Mobile First approach. However, it exclusively supports the latest browser versions. In contrast, BlazeCSS is lightweight and modular, enabling further file size reduction based on the components selected for a project.
Kube stands out with a comprehensive set of features in less than 6 KB, including a responsive grid, form styling classes, and notification classes. The Pure framework, an open-source project led by Yahoo! developers, offers a suite of CSS modules for quick responsive design development.
Furtive, a CSS micro-framework, is designed for modern web designs and shares similarities with Milligram in terms of design philosophy and features. Skeleton, despite not being updated in over a year, remains a top choice for rapid development of modern, responsive designs.
Other notable frameworks include FOX CSS, a lightweight, modular framework with a Mobile First approach and compatibility with older browsers, and Basscss, a feature-rich set of 22 CSS modules for responsive design.
The table below provides essential details about the CSS frameworks featured in this article:
Name
Size*
Docs
License
GitHub Repo
Popularity **
min
1.02 KB
Docs
MIT
Repo
685
Milligram
4.05 KB
Docs
MIT
Repo
3,000
BlazeCSS
5.71 KB
Docs
MIT
Repo
7
Kube
5.94 KB
Docs
MIT
Repo (outdated)
538
Pure
4.0 KB
Docs
BSD
Repo
13,373
Furtive
2.37 KB
Docs
MIT
Repo
369
Skeleton
1.57 KB
Docs
MIT
Repo
10,884
FOX CSS
2.46 KB
Docs
Unknown
Repo
87
Basscss
3.49 KB
Docs
MIT
Repo
2,597
Siimple
5.56 KB
Docs
MIT
Repo
14
Lotus
1.80 KB
Docs
MIT
Repo
14
Picnic CSS
2.32 KB
Docs
MIT
Repo
932
*Size refers to the file size of the minified and gzipped CSS file, derived from independent testing of the production-ready/distribution stylesheets of each framework. **Popularity is measured by the number of users tracking the framework’s source code on GitHub, indicated by the number of Stars at the time of this post’s publication. A higher value indicates greater popularity.
For further reading, explore 7 Essential CSS Tools, 5 CSS Effects Libraries, and the Development of CSS at Large-Scale Websites.
