What is CSS and why is it important to learn about?

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) are sets of instructions for how different parts of web pages should be displayed for users. In contrast to HTML, which defines the elements that structure a web page including headlines, paragraphs, images, and links, CSS defines the “style” of how these elements look, including layouts, colors, fonts, and other aspects. Because the web is inherently a visual medium, a mastery of CSS is an important part of designing an impactful web page. User expectations for web design and thus CSS have come a long way since the 1990s, with the need to ensure that pages display properly on a variety of mobile devices as well as web browsers. There is also a growing recognition that web accessibility for users with disabilities must be a design priority, adding complexity to CSS considerations. The use of CSS frameworks such as Bootstrap has become increasingly popular to simplify the process of making responsive web designs that adjust to different browsers and user needs.

What kinds of careers can I have with a background in CSS?

Along with HTML and JavaScript, expertise in CSS is one of the most fundamental skills you need for a career in web development. Demand for web developers to design and build websites has grown steadily along with the growth of the World Wide Web itself, and having high-level CSS skills and a sharp design sense can make your portfolio stand out from the crowd. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), web developers earned a median annual salary of $73,760 in 2019 and jobs in this field expected to grow “much faster than average,” making this a well-paid and high-growth career path.

Can I learn about CSS by taking online courses on Coursera?

Absolutely! Learning on Coursera is a popular way to build a wide range of web development skills, including CSS as well as the use of CSS frameworks like Bootstrap. You can take courses and Specializations spanning multiple courses from top-ranked schools like Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan, and Duke University. With the Coursera Project Network, you can also develop your CSS skills by completing step-by-step tutorials alongside experienced instructors with Guided Projects.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn CSS?

A skill you will need to already have before learning CSS is the ability to code in the HTML language. You may also want to have some basic knowledge of what CSS does aesthetically for a website, such as specifying its style, page layouts, colors, and fonts.

How do I know if learning CSS is right for me?

Learning CSS may be right for you if you want to design complex layouts with unique fonts and customized color schemes. If you want to learn how to write CSS rules and how to test code so that the site you design works for people of all cognitive and physical abilities, learning CSS may be right for you.

What are common career paths for someone in CSS?

A common career path for someone who knows CSS, as well as HTML, is to begin as a junior or entry-level web developer by building simple static websites, coding email templates, and working with experienced developers on larger projects as you hone your skills. As you learn more about CSS and other tech skills you can enter common career paths in front-end development, back-end development, web design, visual design, and digital marketing. Knowing CSS may also be helpful if you choose to enter a career path as a digital content editor or producer or manage social media client accounts. Other common career paths you can find with a background in CSS might be a WordPress developer or webmaster.

What topics can I study that are related to CSS?

There are many topics related to CSS that you can study, including learning JavaScript and other scripting languages for web page interactivity, DOM to be able to modify pages, and responsive web design so that a site can be seen and accessed on various devices. You might also want to study the related topic of the Django web framework and Django template language so you can incorporate that into your web designs.

What types of places hire people with a background in CSS?

Even if you only know the fundamental skills of CSS and HTML, some places will hire you with that background, such as a restaurant that may hire you to create a static online menu. A local business can hire you to build some sales pages or a landing page, and a business might need your skills to create email templates for platforms such as Mailchimp. A business or company may need to hire someone with your background in CSS to customize a WordPress or Squarespace site, keep a blog maintained, or create simple online marketing campaigns.

What are the benefits of taking an online Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) course?

Online CSS courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new CSS skills. Choose from a wide range of CSS courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What CSS courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in CSS, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top CSS Courses - Learn CSS Online

Explore the CSS Course Catalog

University of London
Introduction to Meteor.js Development
Skills you'll gain: MongoDB, JavaScript Frameworks, Web Development Tools, Web Applications, Web Development, Database Application, User Accounts, Application Security, Package and Software Management, Javascript, Software Installation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Virginia
Coding for Designers, Managers, & Entrepreneurs I
Skills you'll gain: User Story, HTML and CSS, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Prototyping, Debugging, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Design and Development, Maintainability, User Centered Design, Wireframing, User Interface (UI), Peer Review
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
57 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
مقدمة عن CSS3
Skills you'll gain: Browser Compatibility, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), HTML and CSS, Web Design, User Interface (UI), Web Design and Development, Usability, Typography, Color Matching
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IBM
Full Stack Software Developer Assessment
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing, Cloud Services, JavaScript Frameworks, Back-End Web Development, DevOps, Full-Stack Web Development, OpenShift, Version Control, CI/CD, Software Development, Cloud-Native Computing, Microservices, Containerization, Kubernetes, Web Development, Node.JS, Serverless Computing, Docker (Software), Cloud Applications, Django (Web Framework)
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
261 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Scrimba
Responsive Web Essentials: Design & Navigation
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, HTML and CSS, Web Design, User Interface (UI) Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
IBM
Django Application Development with SQL and Databases
Skills you'll gain: Django (Web Framework), Object-Relational Mapping, SQL, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Relational Databases, Database Management, Full-Stack Web Development, Back-End Web Development, Databases, Cloud Development, Cloud Applications, Web Applications, Application Deployment, Authentications, Model View Controller, Application Development, Data Modeling, Authorization (Computing), Responsive Web Design
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
293 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California, Davis
Computational Social Science Methods
Skills you'll gain: Social Sciences, Network Analysis, Data Science, Machine Learning, Computational Thinking, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Sociology, Data Mining, Simulations, Big Data, Scientific Methods
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
341 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
LearnQuest
Swift 5 iOS Application Developer
Skills you'll gain: Model View Controller, Apple iOS, JSON, Swift Programming, Apple Xcode, iOS Development, Responsive Web Design, Mobile Development, Data Structures, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Unit Testing, Programming Principles, Transaction Processing, Application Development, UI Components, Application Programming Interface (API), Data Storage, Data Modeling, Computer Programming, User Interface (UI)
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
910 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Universidad de los Andes
Introducción al desarrollo web
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, HTML and CSS, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), UI Components, Web Development, Web Design, Front-End Web Development, Typography
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
171 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IBM
JavaScript Programming Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Ajax, Javascript, Data Structures, Debugging, JSON, Scripting, Web Development, Front-End Web Development, HTML and CSS, Event-Driven Programming, Application Programming Interface (API)
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
130 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universidad Austral
Full Stack Web Development en Español
Skills you'll gain: Angular, Server Side, Node.JS, Responsive Web Design, LESS, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Mobile Development, Back-End Web Development, Version Control, Cross Platform Development, Restful API, HTML and CSS, Web Design and Development, React Redux, JavaScript Frameworks, Continuous Integration, TypeScript, iOS Development, JSON, Web Development
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
795 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Board Infinity
Learning MEAN Stack by Building Real world Application
Skills you'll gain: Angular, Node.JS, Full-Stack Web Development, HTML and CSS, JavaScript Frameworks, MongoDB, Back-End Web Development, Application Frameworks, Javascript, Maintainability, Restful API, Web Development Tools, Application Deployment, Front-End Web Development, Application Development, Authentications, Web Design and Development, Web Applications, Web Development, Application Programming Interface (API)
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
46 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months