What Is a Class in Webflow?

A class in Webflow is a reusable style definition applied to one or more elements. Instead of styling elements individually, classes allow you to control design consistently across your entire site.

When you style an element with a class:

• The style applies to all elements using that class
• Changes update globally
• Your design stays consistent

Classes are Webflow’s visual representation of CSS classes.

Why Classes Matter in Webflow

Using classes correctly helps you:

• Maintain consistent design
• Reduce repetitive styling
• Update designs faster
• Scale large projects
• Collaborate more easily

Projects without a clear class system quickly become difficult to manage.

Creating and Applying a Class

To create a class:

1. Select an element
2. Go to the Style panel
3. Enter a class name
4. Apply styles to that class

Once created, the class can be reused on other elements by selecting it from the class dropdown.

Best practice: Name classes based on purpose, not appearance.

Understanding Base Classes

A base class is the main class applied to an element without any variations.

Example:

• .button
• .heading-large
• .text-paragraph

Base classes define the core style and should be reused across the project.

Avoid creating multiple base classes that serve the same purpose.

Combo Classes Explained

Combo classes add variations to a base class without duplicating styles.

Example:

• .button
• .button.primary
• .button.secondary

Combo classes inherit styles from the base class and only override what’s necessary.

Use combo classes for:

• Color variations
• Size variations
• State-based changes

Avoiding Common Class Mistakes

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Styling elements without classes
• Creating one-off classes for every element
• Naming classes based on color (e.g. blue-text)
• Overusing combo classes unnecessarily
• Duplicating similar classes

Clean class management saves time and prevents confusion.

Using Utility Classes

Utility classes are small, reusable classes that apply a single purpose.

Examples:

• .margin-bottom-small
• .text-center
• .hide-mobile

Utility classes are powerful when used consistently but should not replace base classes for major components.

Class Naming Best Practices

Good class names are:

• Clear and descriptive
• Purpose-driven
• Consistent in structure

Examples of good naming:

• .section-hero
• .card-feature
• .nav-link

Avoid vague names like .div1, .style2, or .new-class.

Class Inheritance and Cascading

Webflow follows CSS cascading rules.

Key points:

• Child elements inherit some styles
• Combo classes override base classes
• Breakpoint styles override larger breakpoints

Understanding inheritance helps avoid unexpected styling issues.

Managing Classes Across Breakpoints

Classes behave consistently across breakpoints, but styles can change per device.

Best practices:

• Set base styles on desktop
• Override only when necessary
• Avoid redefining entire styles on mobile
• Keep typography and spacing consistent

Minimal overrides lead to cleaner responsive designs.

Advanced Class System Strategies

For larger projects, consider:

• Component-based class systems
• Consistent prefixes (e.g. section-, card-, text-)
• Shared utility classes
• Documentation for class usage

These strategies make long-term maintenance much easier.

SEO and Accessibility Considerations

Classes do not directly affect SEO, but:

• Clean structure improves readability
• Consistent layouts improve UX
• Logical hierarchy helps screen readers

Always prioritize semantic HTML elements alongside classes.

Best Practices Summary

To use Webflow classes effectively:

• Always style with classes
• Reuse base classes
• Use combo classes wisely
• Avoid unnecessary duplication
• Keep naming clear and consistent

Final Thoughts

Mastering classes is one of the most important skills in Webflow. A strong class system keeps your projects clean, scalable, and professional. Whether you’re building a small landing page or a large CMS-driven website, proper class usage will save time and prevent future headaches.

Once you understand classes, you unlock the full power of Webflow’s visual development workflow.

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