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CSS Specificity Calculator - Calculate Selector Specificity

Free CSS specificity calculator to calculate selector specificity and analyze CSS performance. Includes selector breakdown, recommendations, and comprehensive CSS analysis tools with ourcomprehensive developer tools platform.

Last updated: December 15, 2024

Real-time specificity calculation
Selector breakdown and analysis
Performance recommendations

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CSS Specificity Calculator
Calculate CSS selector specificity and analyze selector performance with comprehensive recommendations

CSS Specificity Calculator Types & Features

Specificity Calculator
Calculate CSS selector specificity using the standard four-part system

Point system

(inline, IDs, classes, elements)

Calculate specificity using the standard CSS specificity point system

Selector Analyzer
Break down complex selectors and analyze each component's contribution

Component analysis

Detailed Breakdown

Analyze each part of your selector and understand its specificity contribution

Performance Analyzer
Analyze selector performance and provide optimization recommendations

Performance metrics

Optimization

Get performance recommendations and best practices for your selectors

Comparison Tool
Compare selector specificity and understand ranking in the specificity hierarchy

Ranking system

Hierarchy Analysis

Understand where your selector ranks in the CSS specificity hierarchy

Best Practices Guide
Get personalized recommendations for writing maintainable CSS

Smart recommendations

AI-Powered

Receive intelligent recommendations for writing better, more maintainable CSS

Debugging Tool
Debug CSS conflicts and understand why styles aren't applying

Conflict resolution

Debug Helper

Identify and resolve CSS specificity conflicts and styling issues

Quick Example Result

For selector `.container .header h1.title`:

Specificity Score

22

Breakdown

(0,0,2,2)

How Our CSS Specificity Calculator Works

Our CSS specificity calculator uses the standard CSS specificity algorithm to calculate selector specificity and analyze CSS performance. The process involves advanced CSS analysis techniques to provide detailed breakdowns, recommendations, and performance insights for optimal CSS development.

CSS Specificity Calculation Method

Specificity = (inline, IDs, classes, elements)
Inline: 1000 points, IDs: 100 each, Classes: 10 each, Elements: 1 each
Analysis: Selector breakdown, performance metrics, recommendations
Output: Specificity score, ranking, optimization suggestions

The calculator processes CSS selectors through the standard specificity algorithm to determine which styles will apply, analyze performance implications, and provide recommendations for better CSS maintainability.

🎯 CSS Specificity Pipeline

Shows the systematic approach to CSS specificity calculation and analysis

Technical Foundation

CSS specificity calculation is based on the W3C CSS specification's four-part system for determining which styles apply when multiple selectors target the same element. Our calculator implements the standard specificity algorithm including inline styles, IDs, classes/attributes/pseudo-classes, and elements, with comprehensive analysis for educational and professional applications in CSS development and debugging.

  • Standard CSS specificity algorithm (inline, IDs, classes, elements)
  • Selector component analysis and breakdown
  • Performance analysis and optimization recommendations
  • Best practices and maintainability suggestions
  • Conflict resolution and debugging assistance
  • Real-time specificity calculation and comparison
  • Comprehensive selector type detection and categorization
  • Educational explanations and learning resources

Sources & References

  • W3C CSS Specification - CSS Specificity Rules and CalculationOfficial W3C specification for CSS specificity calculation
  • MDN Web Docs - CSS Specificity and Selector PriorityComprehensive documentation for CSS specificity and selector priority
  • MDN - CSS Specificity - CSS Specificity and CascadeComprehensive reference for CSS specificity theory and implementation

CSS Specificity Calculator Examples

Specificity Calculation Example
Calculate specificity for selector ".container .header h1.title" with detailed breakdown

Selector Input:

.container .header h1.title

Specificity Breakdown:

.container → 1 class (10 points)

.header → 1 class (10 points)

h1 → 1 element (1 point)

.title → 1 class (10 points)

Result: 2 classes (20) + 1 element (1) = 21 points → (0,0,2,1)

The selector has medium specificity and will override simpler selectors but lose to ID-based selectors.

High Specificity

#header .nav li:first-child

1 ID (100) + 1 class (10) + 1 element (1) = 111 points

Low Specificity

div p

2 elements (2) = 2 points

Frequently Asked Questions

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Suggested hashtags: #CSS #Specificity #Selector #Programming #WebDevelopment

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