English
Spanish
French
German
Italian
Russian
Implementing dark mode has become an essential feature for modern web applications. This guide will walk you through everything from color scheme selection to persistence strategies, with practical code examples for both CSS and JavaScript implementations.
Why Dark Mode Matters
Dark mode isn't just a trendy design choice—it offers real benefits:
- Reduced eye strain in low-light environments
- Battery savings on OLED/AMOLED displays
- Accessibility for users with light sensitivity
- Aesthetic appeal that many users prefer
CSS Implementation
The prefers-color-scheme media query is the foundation of dark mode CSS:
:root {
--text-primary: #1a1a1a;
--bg-primary: #ffffff;
/* other light mode variables */
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
:root {
--text-primary: #f3f3f3;
--bg-primary: #121212;
/* other dark mode variables */
}
}
body {
color: var(--text-primary);
background-color: var(--bg-primary);
transition: background-color 0.3s ease;
}JavaScript Toggle
For user-controlled dark mode, you'll need JavaScript:
Pro Tip: Always respect the OS-level preference as the default, then allow users to override it.