Staying Updated on New CSS Features

How to Stay Updated with New CSS Features

Imagine you manage a popular web development survey centered on CSS and need to decide what to include in this year’s edition. Coincidentally, the State of CSS survey for this year is currently open—check it out to discover what’s new in CSS!

You might consider typing “new CSS features 2025” into Google. However, this approach often results in generic content, still labeling CSS Grid as the “next big thing,” despite its widespread support for over eight years.

A more effective strategy is needed.

While this article focuses on CSS, the resources mentioned cover all web platform features, including JavaScript and HTML.

Web.dev

A good starting point is Google’s web.dev blog, particularly Rachel Andrew’s monthly web platform recaps. Here’s a glimpse of those:

CSS-Tricks (and others)

CSS-Tricks is a valuable source for up-to-date CSS knowledge, including a comprehensive almanac of CSS features. But you likely already know that since you’re reading this.

Other notable publications covering CSS include:

Web Platform Features Explorer

For a structured approach to discovering new features, the Web Platform Features Explorer allows you to search for features based on their Baseline status.

Web Platform Status

Another useful tool is the Web Platform Status dashboard, offering detailed filtering options, such as narrowing down features by Baseline year or viewing features highlighted as Top CSS Interop in the latest State of CSS survey.

Additionally, it provides insights into a feature’s adoption rate, measured by the percentage of Chrome page views utilizing that feature, like the popover HTML attribute.

A note of caution: Since platforms like Facebook and Google account for a significant portion of measured page views, this metric might be skewed when these platforms adopt a new feature.

The Web Platform Status’s stats section also includes the “chart of shame,” highlighting browsers lagging in new feature adoption.

Chrome Platform Status

The same adoption data is available on the Chrome Platform Status dashboard, offering additional details such as usage among top sites and sample URLs of sites using a feature.

Polypane Experimental Chromium Features Dashboard

Polypane is a developer-focused browser with numerous tools like contrast checkers and multi-viewport views. They also offer an experimental Chromium features explorer, breaking down new features by Chromium version for those keen on staying at the forefront.

Kevin Powell’s YouTube Channel

As YouTube’s CSS expert, Kevin Powell frequently shares excellent video recaps of new features. Following him is highly recommended, and he also runs a site publishing weekly HTML and CSS tips.

CSS Working Group

For direct insights, check out what the CSS Working Group is working on. They offer a mailing list and an RSS feed to keep you informed directly in your inbox.

Browser Release Notes

Most browsers release notes with each new version, providing a good sense of when new CSS features are introduced. Keep an eye on the major browser players:

ChatGPT

Another method to catch up with CSS is by asking ChatGPT! A prompt like this worked well for me:

“What are the latest CSS features that have either become supported by browsers in the past year, or will soon become supported?”

Other Resources

For in-depth exploration, Igalia’s BCD Watch displays changes to MDN’s browser-compat-data repo, tracking feature support across browsers.

Although the latest editions of the HTTP Archive Web Almanac lack a specific CSS section, past editions included one, offering an annual CSS catch-up.

Caniuse has a news section, which, though not frequently updated, could become a valuable resource for new feature information.

The IntentToShip bot (available on Bluesky, Mastodon, Twitter) posts whenever a browser vendor ships or changes a feature, keeping you on the cutting edge.

Lastly, many individuals on social media actively discuss new CSS features and share their thoughts and experiments. On Bluesky, there’s a starter pack of CSS-Tricks authors, a great spot to find a vibrant community.

Wrapping Up

A great way to ensure no new features are missed is by participating in the State of CSS survey annually. I utilize all the resources mentioned to ensure each survey includes every significant new feature. Additionally, you can bookmark features by adding them to your “reading list” while taking the survey for a comprehensive recap at the end.

So, take this year’s State of CSS survey and let me know on Bluesky how many new features you discovered!