How to Use Media Queries to Build a Responsive Web Site

Media queries are the cornerstone of responsive web design. They are what make the kind of advanced responsive design we see today even possible.

So, here’s how to master using them…

How to Use Media Queries

So, What ARE Media Queries?

Here’s the official definition from the Mozilla Developer Network:

Media queries consist of a media type and can, as of the CSS3 specification, contain one or more expressions, expressed as media features, which resolve to either true or false.

Huh?

Think of media queries as conditional statements. You create a query that either resolves as true or false… and if TRUE, you designate certain CSS that then gets applied.

Here’s an example snippet:

@media screen and (max-width: 600px) {
  .facet_sidebar {
    display: none;
  }
}

The above query says:

If the media type equals screen and the width is 600px or less… then apply these styles.

The “screen” part is the media type and can be things like “all”, “screen”, “print”, “tv”, etc ( Click here for a list of available media types).

The “max-width: 600px” part is the “expression expressed as a media feature” and can be things like max-width, max-device-width, orientation, etc (Click here for list of available media features).

And, the above statement will also resolve to true or false.

This is what allows us to target certain screen widths and change the way our site behaves based on that screen size. Essentially, this is responsive web design.

Finally, you have logical operators that help you “chain together” multiple expressions to target certain scenarios more specifically. Here’s an example snippet:

@media (min-width: 700px) and (orientation: landscape) { ... }

Here’s you’ll notice the word “and” sandwiched between two expressions. This query states:

The screen must be at least 700px wide and the orientation of the device must be landscape.

You can use different logical operators like: and, comma-separated lists (or), not, etc (Click here for a list of available logical operators).

Where Do I Start?

At this point, you’re probably wondering where to start with all this. The most common way media queries are used is to target certain devices widths in order to change the display of a web site for different devices.

Here’s a common set of media queries (taken from Bootstrap 3.0):

@media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 979px) {}
@media (max-width: 767px) {}
@media (min-width: 1200px) {}

Here we’re targeting three different widths:

  • BETWEEN 768px and 979px
  • LESS THAN 767px
  • MORE THAN 1200px

Now, you might be wondering WHY these widths?

In my Responsive Web Design 101 course, I cover that particular question in great detail and show how you exactly how to structure your media queries to target different devices…

But, in a nutshell, these widths are based on common device widths. A number of devices (included iPads) have a width of 768px in the portrait orientation… thus the focus on widths around 768 pixels.

Also, common laptop widths are 1280px and 1366px… so the min-width:1200px is target those devices and anything bigger… while excluding iPads in the landscape position (1024px).

Why the 979px?

Well, 980px became a design standard on the web. So, designers (and web users for that matter) have gotten used to using that width. So,  you’ll often see media queries based around that width, as well.

All in all… media queries are about targeting certain groups of devices based on their widths. This allows us to create different designs for different devices and make our site look and function good no matter the device viewing it.

QUESTION: How do you use media queries in  your responsive designs? Do you have a standard set of queries that you use?

Join 7,700 Other Freelancers Who've Built Thriving Freelance Businesses

Over 7,700 other freelancers have started thriving freelance businesses using the information on this blog. Are you next? Subscribe below to get notified whenever a new article is posted and create your own success story:

You might also like

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Pinterest
John Morris

JOHN MORRIS

I’m a 15-year veteran of freelance web development. I’ve worked with bestselling authors and average Joe’s next door. These days, I focus on helping other freelancers build their freelance business and their lifestyles.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Join 7,700 Other Freelancers Who've Built Thriving Freelance Businesses

Over 7,700 other freelancers have started thriving freelance businesses using the information on this blog. Are you next? Subscribe below to get notified whenever a new article is posted and create your own success story:

Success Stories

Ready to add your name here?

Tim Covello

Tim Covello

75 SEO and website clients now. My income went from sub zero to over 6K just last month. Tracking 10K for next month. Seriously, you changed my life.

Michael Phoenix

Michael Phoenix

By the way, just hit 95K for the year. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve taught me. You’ve changed my life. Thank you!

Stephanie Korski

Stephanie Korski

I started this 3 days ago, following John’s suggestions, and I gained the Upwork Rising Talent badge in less than 2 days. I have a call with my first potential client tomorrow. Thanks, John!

Jithin Veedu

Jithin Veedu

John is the man! I followed his steps and I am flooded with interviews in a week. I got into two Talent clouds. The very next day, I got an invitation from the talent specialists from Upwork and a lot more. I wanna shout out, he is the best in this. Thanks John for helping me out!

Divyendra Singh Jadoun

Divyendra Singh Jadoun

After viewing John’s course, I made an Upwork account and it got approved the same day. Amazingly, I got my first job the very same day, I couldn’t believe it, I thought maybe I got it by coincidence. Anyways I completed the job and received my first earnings. Then, after two days, I got another job and within a week I got 3 jobs and completed them successfully. All the things he says seem to be minute but have a very great impact on your freelancing career.

Sarah Mui

Sarah Mui

I’ve been in an existential crisis for the last week about what the heck I’m doing as a business owner. Even though I’ve been a business for about a year, I’m constantly trying to think of how to prune and refine services. This was very personable and enjoyable to watch. Usually, business courses like this are dry and hard to get through…. repeating the same things over and over again. This was a breath of fresh air. THANK YOU.

Waqas Abdul Majeed

Waqas Abdul Majeed

I’ve definitely learnt so much in 2.5 hours than I’d learn watching different videos online on Youtube and reading tons of articles on the web. John has a natural way of teaching, where he is passionately diving in the topics and he makes it very easy to grasp — someone who wants you to really start running your business well by learning about the right tools and implement them in your online business. I will definitely share with many of the people I know who have been struggling for so long, I did find my answers and I’m sure will do too.

Scott Plude

Scott Plude

I have been following John Morris for several years now. His instruction ranges from beginner to advanced, to CEO-level guidance. I have referred friends and clients to John, and have encouraged my own daughter to pay attention to what he says. All of his teachings create wealth for me (and happiness for my clients!) I can’t speak highly enough about John, his name is well known in my home.

Sukh Plaha

John is a fantastic and patient tutor, who is not just able to share knowledge and communicate it very effectively – but able to support one in applying it. However, I believe that John has a very rare ability to go further than just imparting knowledge and showing one how to apply it. He is able to innately provoke one’s curiosity when explaining and demonstrating concepts, to the extent that one can explore and unravel their own learning journey. Thanks very much John!

Mohamed Misrab

Misrab Mohamed

John has been the most important person in my freelance career ever since I started. Without him, I would have taken 10 or 20 years more to reach the position I am at now (Level 2 seller on Fiverr and Top Rated on Upwork).

Join 7,700 Other Freelancers Who've Built Thriving Freelance Businesses

Over 7,700 other freelancers have started thriving freelance businesses using the information on this blog. Are you next? Subscribe below to get notified whenever a new article is posted and create your own success story: