23 Resources for Clean and Compressed CSS

If you’re looking to learn more about design websites, please see our post Learn Web Design for plenty of resources to help your educational pursuit.

There are a number of free online tools that can help you to create and maintain effective CSS coding. These tools include validators, optimizers, compressors and more. Try out a few of these tools and see how they can help you to keep more efficient style sheets.

CSS TIDY

CSS Tidy is an open source CSS parser and optimizer from SourceForge. It is available as an executable file, and there is also an online version. CSS Tidy is often able to achieve a compression ration of 30% or more. In addition to compression, CSS Tidy can also format CSS code for higher browser compatibility.

CLEAN CSS

Clean CSS is another simple online tool that gives you a few options for formatting and optimizing CSS. Clean CSS gives you easy control over how much you want it to do. It is also available in German and French.

CSSCHECK

Insert the URL of your style sheet and CSSCheck will quickly run a report that gives you some feedback on the code. It will give warnings for items that may cause problems.

CSS ANALYZER

The CSS Analyzer from Juicy Studio allows you to validate your CSS code, and it also tests the color contrasts and the units of measurement. Just enter the URL of your style sheet and it will produce the report.

CSS OPTIMIZER

CSS Optimizer is another tool for reducing the file size of style sheets. Unlike some of the other tools, it offers the option to upload a file from your computer in addition to the option of entering a URL.

FLUMPCAKES CSS OPTIMIZER

The CSS Optimizer from Flumpcakes gives you several options and provides the save features as many of the other optimizers on this list.

CSS DRIVE CSS COMPRESSOR

CSS Drive provides a CSS Compressor with options for “Light”, “Normal”, or “Super Compact.” You simply paste your code into the page and it does the work.

CSS SUPERDOUCHE

CSS Superdouche offers less features and options than some of the other tools, but it still functions essentially the same. It works to reduce the size and complexity of the file by eliminating unnecessary elements and organizing the file.

ROBSON CSS COMPRESSOR

Another option for compressing your CSS files, the Robson CSS Compressor offers many of the same features as the other choices listed here, but it is still in development, so “it may not work correctly.”

W3C CSS VALIDATOR

The W3C offers a validator for CSS files. Simply enter the URL and see how your style sheet does.

Other Choices:

• CSS Compressor from Lottery Post
• PHP CSS Compressor from iBloom Studios
• CSS Toolbox (Validator, Formatter, Compressor) from Blumentals Software
• CSS Compressor from PHPinsider.com
• CSS Optimizer from mabblog.com
• Code Beautifier (Based on CSS Tidy)
• WP CSS Streamliner (WordPress Plugin)
• CSS Tweak
• Format CSS
• CSS Formatter and Optimizer from CSS Portal
• CSS Validator Firefox Add-On
• CSSValidator.com
• XHTML – CSS Validator

For more resources please see:

• 45 Amazing and Free Photoshop Actions
• 35 Outstanding GIMP Tutorials
• 25 of the Best Calligraphy Fonts for Designers
• 40 Sites for Finding Web Design Jobs
• WordPress Ecommerce: 30+ Resources

Published January 28th, 2008 by Steven Snell