23 Resources for Clean and Compressed CSS
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
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Comments
Robert Buffone replied on Fri, 2008/05/02 - 10:32am
For developers looking to compress CSS or JavaScript while they are developing they can use the jsLex tool, that has a plugin for Eclipse.
http://rockstarapps.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=JsLex.CSSConcatenation
Right click on either a css file or a style tag and you can not only compress the file but also concatenate multiple css files.