You know that moment when you're browsing a website on your laptop, and then you pick up your phone to show it to a friend? You see how the page transforms. Elements shift into new positions, the navigation bar becomes humble, images respect themselves. That's the magic of media queries – little question-based rules that help websites adapt to their environment, just like we do.

A Query is a question.
While Media is the means of expression, the environment through which we experience something.Put them together and what do you get? A way to ask questions about the environment where your creation lives. "How much space do you have?", "What kind of screen are you on?", "How do you prefer to experience motion?", etc.

These aren't just technical questions – they're basically what we ask ourselves every day as we go through life.

Different Screens, Different Needs

Every css developer knows the ritual: write some code, resize the browser, watch for breaks, adjust. Rinse and repeat. We do this because we know our users will view our sites in countless different contexts:

Toggle the CSS tab to trigger a resize on the page

Look familiar? If you're a developer, you've probably written this a hundred times. If you're not, think of it like this: we're telling our website, "Hey, when things get tight, stack everything vertically and give it some breathing room."

It's surprisingly human, isn't it? When our own space gets cramped – maybe we're moving to a smaller apartment or dealing with a reduced budget – we do the same thing. We reorganize. We prioritize. We make things work.

Breaking Points Are Actually Turning Points

In our code, we call them breakpoints. But honestly? That kind of seems a bit negative to me. These aren't points where things break – they're points where things evolve.

@media (min-width: 1024px) {
/* There is room for more: 1024px and above */
  .document {
    display: grid; /* Re-Strategize */
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); /* Spread out and explore */
    gap: 2rem; /* Allow some breathing room */
  }
}

For the non-developers reading this: we're creating a layout that expands into three columns when there's enough space. But it's not just about columns and spaces. It's about recognizing opportunities for growth.

Think about those moments in life when everything shifts – maybe you're starting a new job, moving cities, or ending a relationship. These aren't breaking points. They're growing points. Sometimes, for your mental health, you need to stack things vertically (like our mobile layout) to stay stable. Other times, you can spread out and explore (like our desktop grid).

The Art of Progressive Enhancement

Here's a concept I love so much – progressive enhancement.
In code, it looks like this:

/* Start with your core styles */
.experience {
  margin: 1rem;
}

/* Add enhancements when possible */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
  .experience {
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
  }
}

We start with the essentials and layer on enhancements when conditions allow. But we also respect when users need less motion, less complexity, less stuff. It's not about degrading – it's about being thoughtfully adaptive.

It's like a friend, full of energy and excitement at a party, ready to celebrate with you. But when the mood shifts, they’re right there with you in the quiet moments, offering comfort and understanding. The key is maintaining that core while being flexible about the rest.

The Code We Live By

As css developers, we spend time crafting media queries - debugging responsive layouts, fine-tuning breakpoints, ensuring our sites work seamlessly across devices. But next time you're wrestling with a particularly stubborn viewport issue, just pause for a moment.

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .navigation {
    transform: translateX(-100%);
    position: fixed;
  }
}

Look at that code. Really look at it. You're not just handling a smaller viewport – you're encoding adaptation into your work. Each media query is a small promise: "When things change, I'll be ready."

While media queries might seem like just another technical tool, they encode a profound wisdom about adaptation. They remind us that:

  • Different contexts require different approaches
  • Change is not just inevitable but normal
  • Flexibility is strength
  • Adaptation doesn't mean losing your core purpose—it means finding new ways to express it

Just like us, our code bends but doesn't break. It transforms while keeping its essence. And even if media queries might seem difficult to write, remember that they're just CSS versions of the adaptations we make every day.

So keep writing those queries, keep crafting that resilience. After all, the best code, like the best people, knows how to adapt.

Next week in "CSS is Emotional," we're diving into "The Hidden Emotions of CSS Animations" – where we'll explore how @keyframes mirror the rhythms of life. See you then!

Share your thoughts and experiences with adaptation—both in CSS and in life—in the comments below.

Yes! The CodePen used to design the banner 😊

About the Author

Emmanuel Imolorhe (EIO) is a Frontend Engineer passionate about CSS.
Check out my CSS videos on YouTube.

Connect with me

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Author Of article : EIO • Emmanuel Imolorhe Read full article