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

Board Infinity
Frontend Development using React
Skills you'll gain: Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Front-End Web Development, Javascript, Web Design and Development, React.js, JavaScript Frameworks, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Programming Principles, UI Components
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
44 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Scrimba
Learn HTML Forms
Skills you'll gain: HTML and CSS, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Responsive Web Design, Web Design, Interactive Design, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Usability, User Interface (UI) Design, UI Components, Browser Compatibility
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
IBM
Designing User Interfaces and Experiences (UI/UX)
Skills you'll gain: User Centered Design, Responsive Web Design, Web Design and Development, Prototyping, Front-End Web Development, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Figma (Design Software), Design Elements And Principles, Wireframing, Typography, UI Components, Web Applications, Mobile Development
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
237 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of California San Diego
Information Design
Skills you'll gain: Graphic and Visual Design, User Interface (UI) Design, Mockups, Responsive Web Design, Design, Typography, Wireframing, Design Elements And Principles, Usability, Interaction Design, Prototyping, User Experience Design
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
573 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
IBM
Building Generative AI-Powered Applications with Python
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Web Applications, IBM Cloud, Python Programming, OpenAI, Serverless Computing, Cloud Applications, Front-End Web Development, Application Development, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, Back-End Web Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
122 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Board Infinity
Crafting User Interface - End to End Web Development
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, User Interface (UI) Design, HTML and CSS, Javascript, Front-End Web Development, Web Design, JavaScript Frameworks, React.js, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Web Development, Semantic Web, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Minnesota
Prototyping and Design
Skills you'll gain: Prototyping, User Interface (UI) Design, Usability, Graphic and Visual Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Design, Interaction Design, Design Reviews, Conceptual Design, Human Centered Design, Mockups, Wireframing, Responsive Web Design, User Research, Internet Of Things
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
393 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California, Davis
Animation with JavaScript and jQuery
Skills you'll gain: jQuery, Javascript and jQuery, Scripting, JavaScript Frameworks, HTML and CSS, Javascript, Web Development Tools, User Interface (UI), Interactive Design
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
124 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Build a Website using an API with HTML, JavaScript, and JSON
Skills you'll gain: JSON, Restful API, Web Design, Cloud API, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Web Development, Application Programming Interface (API), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Applications, Real Time Data, Javascript, User Interface (UI) Design
3.9
Rating, 3.9 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
University of London
Responsive Website Tutorial and Examples
Skills you'll gain: Web Applications, Interactive Data Visualization, User Interface (UI), JavaScript Frameworks, Responsive Web Design, Full-Stack Web Development, Front-End Web Development, Web Development, Data Integration, Databases, User Requirements Documents, Real Time Data
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
280 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Javascript: The Basics
Skills you'll gain: Javascript, Back-End Web Development, Server Side, Front-End Web Development, Scripting, Event-Driven Programming, Web Applications, Mobile Development, HTML and CSS, Web Development, Scripting Languages
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
282 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Scrimba
Learn JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Mobile Development, Web Applications, Javascript, Browser Compatibility, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Web Development, HTML and CSS, Event-Driven Programming, Development Environment, Debugging, Data Storage
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
133 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks