23 Jan 2025 2 min read CSS

Tailwind CSS v4.0 has finally been released!

Took from original Tailwind blog

On January 22, 2025, Tailwind CSS introduced its latest major release: Tailwind CSS v4.0. Packed with groundbreaking enhancements and modern features, this version redefines the way developers approach utility-first CSS frameworks. Tailwind v4.0 is faster, more versatile, and better aligned with modern web standards, making it a must-have for developers in 2025.

Let’s dive into the highlights of this exciting release.

⚡ Lightning-Fast Performance

One of the standout features of v4.0 is its high-performance engine. Full builds are now up to 5x faster, and incremental builds see an improvement of over 100x.

🚀 Embracing Modern Web Standards

Tailwind CSS v4.0 makes a big leap by fully embracing modern CSS features:

Cascade Layers improve specificity management.
Registered Custom Properties via @property enable dynamic styling.
color-mix() Functionality brings even more flexibility to working with colors.

🎯 Simplified Developer Experience

One-Line Installation
Forget complex setups. Tailwind now requires just a single line of CSS to get started.
Automatic Content Detection
Say goodbye to manual template discovery—Tailwind now automatically detects all relevant files in your project.
CSS-First Customization
Configuration has shifted from JavaScript to CSS, allowing you to extend and modify the framework directly in your stylesheets.

✨ Features That Elevate Your Workflow

First-Party Vite Plugin: Tailwind integrates seamlessly with Vite, delivering unmatched performance with minimal setup.
CSS Theme Variables: All design tokens are now accessible as native CSS variables, simplifying reuse across your stylesheets.
Dynamic Utilities and Variants: Tailwind now supports dynamic utility values and variants, saving you time when building custom patterns.

🎨 New Visual Possibilities

P3 Color Palette: The color system has been upgraded to support the latest display technologies, offering vivid and rich colors for modern devices.
Container Queries: Design elements now adapt based on their container size without additional plugins.
3D Transform Utilities: Add depth to your designs with built-in 3D transform utilities.
Expanded Gradient APIs: With radial and conic gradients, interpolation modes, and more, your backgrounds can now achieve stunning visual effects.

🛠️ Developer-Centric Innovations

@starting-style Variant: Simplify enter and exit transitions directly in your HTML—no JavaScript required.
not-* Variant: Apply conditional styling based on elements that don’t match a specific variant or media query.