← Back toFront-end Tips

Reuse the current color

Written byPhuoc Nguyen
Category
Practice
Tags
CSS
Created
03 Mar, 2021
Instead of repeating colors in a few places, we can define a value for the `color` property once and reuse it with the `currentColor` keyword.
/* Bad */
div {
color: #d1d5db;
background-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, #d1d5db, #fff);
}

/* Good */
div {
color: #d1d5db;
background-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, currentColor, #fff);
}
Because the `color` property of an element, if not specified, is inherited from its parent, we can use the `currentColor` keyword in the children of element.
For example, let's say that we want the color of a link to be the same with its container, a given `div` element:
/* Bad: Declare same color in three places */
div {
color: #fff;
}
div a {
border-bottom: 1px solid #fff;
color: #fff;
text-decoration: none;
}

/* Good */
div {
color: #fff;
}
div a {
border-bottom: 1px solid currentColor;
color: currentColor;
text-decoration: none;
}
We often use the `currentColor` keyword in the camelCase format. However, CSS is case-insensitive meaning that `CurrentColor`, `currentcolor` or even `cUrReNtCoLoR` are valid keywords and have the same effect as `currentColor`

Questions? 🙋

Do you have any questions? Not just about this specific post, but about any topic in front-end development that you'd like to learn more about? If so, feel free to send me a message on Twitter or send me an email. You can find them at the bottom of this page.
I have a long list of upcoming posts, but your questions or ideas for the next one will be my top priority. Let's learn together! Sharing knowledge is the best way to grow 🥷.

Recent posts ⚡

Newsletter 🔔

If you're into front-end technologies and you want to see more of the content I'm creating, then you might want to consider subscribing to my newsletter.
By subscribing, you'll be the first to know about new articles, products, and exclusive promotions.
Don't worry, I won't spam you. And if you ever change your mind, you can unsubscribe at any time.
Phước Nguyễn