Custom Properties: Questioning “:root”

Published on Sep 21, 2020 (updated Aug 31, 2021), filed under development, css (feed). (Share this on Mastodon or Bluesky?)

For custom properties (aka CSS variables) we got into the habit of declaring variables in a rule with a :root selector.

This habit we probably inherited from the spec, and it had then likely been picked up and promoted by the larger web development communities.

Here’s a basic example of :root in action:

:root {
  --test: green;
}

body {
  background: var(--test);
}

What’s interesting about this use of :root is how rarely CSS is otherwise used to style non-HTML documents—whose targeting is :root’s main selling point. Ask yourself, when have you last styled anything not HTML or SVG? (I did until 2009, for RSS feeds.)

What’s also interesting is how much emphasis is usually put on avoiding the universal selector, yet adding classes to everything.

All of this is rather ironic, and makes :root for custom properties look like a somewhat “hipster” response, when one had just found out that CSS can be used for languages other than HTML. No offense there—it just looks a little like someone had just found out. At this point many may be following a convention.

Use of :root for custom properties goes beyond irony, however, when it’s used exclusively for HTML. There the enthusiasm seems out of place:

The root element for HTML is <html>. That is well-known. If a web developer knows what they’re styling—if you know what you’re styling—, be specific. That means, use html as your selector, not :root. It works:

html {
  --test: green;
}

body {
  background: var(--test);
}

Therefore, unless you’re working in an environment in which style sheets serve several document types (and roots) at the same time, question the use of :root, for custom properties. It could be argued to be an anti-pattern for HTML. Be specific.

Many thanks to Hannes Schluchtmann for reviewing this post.

Soon there are but three victors left, Sir Launcelot, Gawain, and Val. It seems certain the might Launcelot will once again receive the prize. Then… — Questioning merit. (Copyright King Features Syndicate, Inc., distr. Bulls.)

About Me

I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m a web developer, manager, and author. I’ve been working as a technical lead and engineering manager for companies you’ve never heard of and companies you use every day, I’m an occasional contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and I write and review books for O’Reilly and Frontend Dogma.

I love trying things, not only in web development and engineering management, but also in other areas like philosophy. Here on meiert.com I share some of my experiences and views. (I value you being critical, interpreting charitably, and giving feedback.)