Utopia Container Queries

Component-level responsiveness using container queries with Utopia.fyi fluid scales

Core Philosophy

Container queries extend Utopia's declarative, fluid design approach from the viewport level to the component level. Instead of components responding only to viewport width, they respond to their container's dimensions, enabling truly modular, context-aware design.

Key Insight: Combine Utopia's fluid scales (viewport-based) with container query units (container-based) for layered responsiveness — global scaling + component adaptation.

When to Use This Skill

• Creating components that adapt to container size, not viewport size
• Implementing fluid typography that scales based on component width
• Building truly reusable components for design systems
• Combining Utopia fluid scales with container-level responsiveness
• Using container query units (cqi, cqw) with clamp() for component typography
• Enabling context-aware layouts (sidebar vs. main content area)
• Progressive enhancement from viewport-based to container-based fluidity

Container Query Fundamentals

Browser Support (2025)

Fully supported: Chrome 105+, Edge 105+, Firefox 110+, Safari 16+ Baseline: ✅ Widely available since February 2023 Browser Compatibility: 82/100

Container Types

/* Long form */
.container {
  container-name: card;
  container-type: inline-size; /* Queries width (horizontal) or height (vertical) */
}

/* Shorthand */
.container {
  container: card / inline-size;
}

Container Types:

• inline-size - Query inline dimension (width in LTR, height in vertical writing)
• size - Query both dimensions (use sparingly, affects layout performance)
• normal - Default, no containment

Best Practice: Use inline-size for most cases — queries container width without layout side effects.

Basic Container Query Syntax

/* Named container */
@container card (inline-size > 400px) {
  .card {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 150px 1fr;
  }
}

/* Unnamed (uses nearest ancestor container) */
@container (width > 500px) {
  .component {
    display: flex;
    gap: var(--space-m);
  }
}

/* Range queries (modern, readable) */
@container (400px <= inline-size <= 800px) {
  .element {
    /* Styles for containers between 400-800px */
  }
}

Container Query Units

Relative sizing units based on container dimensions, not viewport:

Available Units

• cqw - 1% of container width
• cqh - 1% of container height
• cqi - 1% of container inline size (recommended)
• cqb - 1% of container block size
• cqmin - Smaller of cqi or cqb
• cqmax - Larger of cqi or cqb

Recommended: Use cqi for international audiences — automatically switches to horizontal or vertical axis based on writing mode.

Container Units with clamp()

.card {
  /* Responsive padding based on container */
  padding: clamp(1rem, 4cqi, 2rem);

  /* Fluid typography */
  font-size: clamp(1rem, 3cqi, 1.6rem);

  /* Dynamic gaps */
  gap: clamp(0.5rem, 2cqw, 1.5rem);
}

How This Works:

• At small container widths: padding approaches 1rem (minimum)
• At medium widths: padding scales proportionally (4% of container inline size)
• At large widths: padding caps at 2rem (maximum)

Integrating Container Units with Utopia Scales

Layered Responsiveness Strategy

Layer 1: Viewport-based Utopia fluid scales (global) Layer 2: Container query units (component-level)

:root {
  /* Utopia viewport-based type scale */
  --step-0: clamp(1rem, 0.9286rem + 0.3571vi, 1.25rem);
  --step-1: clamp(1.2rem, 1.1036rem + 0.4821vi, 1.5625rem);
  --step-2: clamp(1.44rem, 1.3113rem + 0.6435vi, 1.9531rem);

  /* Utopia space scale */
  --space-s: clamp(1rem, 0.9286rem + 0.3571vi, 1.25rem);
  --space-m: clamp(1.5rem, 1.3929rem + 0.5357vi, 1.875rem);
  --space-l: clamp(2rem, 1.8571rem + 0.7143vi, 2.5rem);
}

.card-container {
  container: card / inline-size;
}

.card {
  /* Base: Utopia fluid scale (viewport-responsive) */
  padding: var(--space-m);
  font-size: var(--step-0);

  /* Additional container-based adjustments */
  gap: clamp(var(--space-s), 3cqi, var(--space-m));
}

Why This Works:

• Utopia scales provide global proportional scaling
• Container units add component-level adaptation
• Double fluidity: responds to both viewport AND container

Component Typography with cqi

.card-container {
  container: card / inline-size;
}

.card {
  /* Base typography from Utopia */
  font-size: var(--step-0); /* 16px → 20px (viewport) */

  /* Container-based refinement */
  @container (inline-size > 400px) {
    font-size: clamp(var(--step-0), 2.5cqi + 0.5rem, var(--step-1));
  }
}

.card__title {
  /* Viewport-based from Utopia */
  font-size: var(--step-2);

  /* Container-based enhancement */
  @container (inline-size > 600px) {
    font-size: clamp(var(--step-2), 4cqi, var(--step-3));
  }
}

Pattern:

1. Start with Utopia step (viewport-based foundation)
2. Add container query at breakpoint
3. Use cqi with clamp() bounded by Utopia steps
4. Result: Smooth scaling within Utopia's systematic constraints

Spacing with Container Units

.card-container {
  container: card / inline-size;
}

.card {
  /* Base padding from Utopia space scale */
  padding: var(--space-s-m); /* 16px → 30px (viewport) */

  /* Container-based adjustment */
  @container (inline-size > 500px) {
    padding: clamp(var(--space-m), 5cqi, var(--space-l));
    gap: clamp(var(--space-s), 2cqi, var(--space-m));
  }
}

Best Practice: Use Utopia space tokens as min/max bounds for container-based clamp() calculations.

Container Queries vs Media Queries

When to Use Container Queries

✅ Use Container Queries:

• Component-level responsiveness
• Reusable components in varying contexts
• Design system components
• Cards, widgets, modular UI elements
• Layout flexibility within page sections

When to Use Media Queries

✅ Use Media Queries:

• User preferences (prefers-color-scheme, prefers-reduced-motion)
• Page-level layouts
• Print styles
• Device characteristics (hover capability)
• Global theme switches

Best Practice: Use Both Together

/* Global: Media query for dark mode */
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  :root {
    --color-bg: #1a1a1a;
    --color-text: #f5f5f5;
  }
}

/* Component: Container query for layout */
@container card (inline-size > 400px) {
  .card {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 150px 1fr;
  }
}

Practical Patterns

Adaptive Card Component

.card-container {
  container: card / inline-size;
}

.card {
  /* Base: Utopia scales */
  padding: var(--space-s);
  gap: var(--space-xs);
  font-size: var(--step-0);
  display: grid;
}

/* Small: Stacked layout */
@container card (inline-size < 400px) {
  .card {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    padding: var(--space-s);
  }

  .card__image {
    aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
  }
}

/* Medium: Horizontal layout */
@container card (inline-size >= 400px) {
  .card {
    grid-template-columns: 150px 1fr;
    padding: clamp(var(--space-s), 3cqi, var(--space-m));
    gap: clamp(var(--space-xs), 2cqi, var(--space-s));
  }
}

/* Large: Enhanced layout */
@container card (inline-size >= 600px) {
  .card {
    grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;
    padding: clamp(var(--space-m), 4cqi, var(--space-l));
    gap: clamp(var(--space-s), 3cqi, var(--space-m));
  }

  .card__title {
    font-size: clamp(var(--step-1), 3cqi, var(--step-2));
  }

  .card__image {
    aspect-ratio: 3 / 4;
  }
}

Why This Works:

• Same component code works in sidebar (narrow) or main content (wide)
• Container queries handle layout shifts
• Utopia scales + cqi provide layered fluidity
• Systematic spacing maintained throughout

Responsive Navigation

.nav-container {
  container: nav / inline-size;
}

.nav {
  display: flex;
  gap: var(--space-s);
  padding: var(--space-s);
}

/* Narrow: Vertical stack */
@container nav (inline-size < 600px) {
  .nav {
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: var(--space-2xs);
  }

  .nav__item {
    width: 100%;
  }
}

/* Wide: Horizontal with fluid gaps */
@container nav (inline-size >= 600px) {
  .nav {
    flex-direction: row;
    gap: clamp(var(--space-s), 2cqi, var(--space-m));
  }
}

Article Component

.article-container {
  container: article / inline-size;
}

.article {
  /* Base typography from Utopia */
  font-size: var(--step-0);
  line-height: 1.6;
  padding: var(--space-m);
}

.article h1 {
  font-size: var(--step-3);
  margin-block-end: var(--space-m);
}

/* Container-based enhancements */
@container article (inline-size > 600px) {
  .article {
    padding: clamp(var(--space-m), 4cqi, var(--space-l));
    max-width: 70ch;
  }

  .article h1 {
    font-size: clamp(var(--step-3), 5cqi, var(--step-4));
    margin-block-end: clamp(var(--space-m), 3cqi, var(--space-l));
  }
}

@container article (inline-size > 900px) {
  .article {
    font-size: clamp(var(--step-0), 2cqi + 0.5rem, var(--step-1));
  }

  .article h1 {
    font-size: clamp(var(--step-4), 6cqi, var(--step-5));
  }
}

Grid Item Adaptation

/* Parent uses Utopia grid */
.grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(min(300px, 100%), 1fr));
  gap: var(--space-m-l);
}

/* Each grid item is a container */
.grid-item {
  container: item / inline-size;
}

/* Item adapts to its grid cell width */
.grid-item__content {
  padding: var(--space-s);
  font-size: var(--step-0);
}

@container item (inline-size > 350px) {
  .grid-item__content {
    padding: clamp(var(--space-s), 3cqi, var(--space-m));
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;
    gap: var(--space-s);
  }
}

@container item (inline-size > 500px) {
  .grid-item__content {
    font-size: clamp(var(--step-0), 2.5cqi, var(--step-1));
  }
}

Pattern: Grid controls layout, container queries control item internals.

Nested Containers

Multiple containers can coexist with independent queries:

.page-container {
  container: page / inline-size;
}

.sidebar-container {
  container: sidebar / inline-size;
}

.card-container {
  container: card / inline-size;
}

/* Page-level query */
@container page (inline-size > 1200px) {
  .page {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 300px 1fr;
    gap: var(--space-l);
  }
}

/* Sidebar-level query */
@container sidebar (inline-size > 250px) {
  .sidebar-nav {
    font-size: var(--step-0);
    gap: var(--space-s);
  }
}

/* Card-level query (inside sidebar OR main) */
@container card (inline-size > 400px) {
  .card {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 150px 1fr;
  }
}

Why This Works:

• Each container queries independently
• Card responds to ITS container, not page width
• Same card component works in sidebar (narrow) or main (wide)
• True component modularity

Accessibility Considerations

Always Test with Browser Zoom

/* ⚠️ Can cause accessibility issues */
.component {
  font-size: 3cqw; /* No min/max bounds */
}

Problem: When user zooms, container width may not change proportionally, breaking text scaling.

Solution: Always use clamp() with Utopia steps as bounds:

/* ✅ Accessible */
.component {
  font-size: clamp(var(--step-0), 2.5cqi, var(--step-1));
}

Testing Checklist:

1. Zoom to 200% in browser
2. Verify text scales appropriately
3. Ensure minimum sizes are readable
4. Check that container-based scaling doesn't break zoom

Keep Central rem Value Near 1

/* ✅ Good - users retain zoom control */
font-size: clamp(1rem, 2cqi + 0.5rem, 1.5rem);

/* ⚠️ Problematic - reduces user control */
font-size: clamp(0.5rem, 5cqi, 3rem);

Guideline: Keep the central rem value close to 1rem and cqi value low (2-3cqi) to preserve user zoom control.

Progressive Enhancement

Fallback for Non-Supporting Browsers

/* Base styles (all browsers) */
.card {
  padding: var(--space-m);
  font-size: var(--step-0);
}

/* Enhanced with container queries */
@supports (container-type: inline-size) {
  .card-container {
    container: card / inline-size;
  }

  @container card (inline-size > 400px) {
    .card {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 150px 1fr;
      padding: clamp(var(--space-m), 4cqi, var(--space-l));
    }
  }
}

Feature Detection in JavaScript

if (CSS.supports('container-type: inline-size')) {
  document.documentElement.classList.add('supports-container-queries');
}

/* Default */
.component {
  padding: var(--space-m);
}

/* Enhanced when supported */
.supports-container-queries .component-container {
  container: component / inline-size;
}

.supports-container-queries .component {
  @container (inline-size > 500px) {
    padding: clamp(var(--space-m), 4cqi, var(--space-l));
  }
}

Best Practices

1. Utopia as Foundation - Start with Utopia fluid scales (viewport-based)
2. Layer Container Queries - Add container-level responsiveness on top
3. Use cqi for Typography - Better internationalization than cqw
4. Clamp with Utopia Bounds - Use Utopia steps as min/max in clamp()
5. Name Containers - Use descriptive container names for clarity
6. Test with Zoom - Always verify 200% browser zoom works
7. Avoid Deep Nesting - Limit container query nesting to 2-3 levels
8. Single Responsibility - One container type per component
9. Progressive Enhancement - Provide fallbacks for older browsers
10. Combine with Grid/Flex - Use with utopia-grid-layout for complete system

Common Patterns

Modular Card

.card-container {
  container: card / inline-size;
}

.card {
  padding: var(--space-s);
  gap: var(--space-xs);
  font-size: var(--step-0);
}

@container card (inline-size > 400px) {
  .card {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;
    padding: clamp(var(--space-s), 3cqi, var(--space-m));
  }
}

Responsive Widget

.widget-container {
  container: widget / inline-size;
}

.widget {
  padding: var(--space-m);
}

.widget__title {
  font-size: var(--step-2);
}

@container widget (inline-size < 300px) {
  .widget {
    padding: var(--space-s);
  }

  .widget__title {
    font-size: var(--step-1);
  }
}

@container widget (inline-size > 600px) {
  .widget {
    padding: clamp(var(--space-m), 4cqi, var(--space-l));
  }

  .widget__title {
    font-size: clamp(var(--step-2), 4cqi, var(--step-3));
  }
}

Context-Aware Component

/* Same component, different contexts */
.component-container {
  container: component / inline-size;
}

.component {
  /* Base: Works everywhere */
  padding: var(--space-s);
  font-size: var(--step-0);
}

/* In sidebar (narrow) */
@container component (inline-size < 400px) {
  .component {
    /* Compact vertical layout */
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: var(--space-2xs);
  }
}

/* In main content (wide) */
@container component (inline-size >= 400px) {
  .component {
    /* Spacious horizontal layout */
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;
    gap: clamp(var(--space-s), 2cqi, var(--space-m));
  }
}

Integration with Other Skills

Prerequisites:

• Use utopia-fluid-scales first to generate type and space scales
• Use utopia-grid-layout for page-level layouts with fluid gaps

Workflow:

1. Generate Utopia scales (utopia-fluid-scales)
2. Implement page layouts with Grid/Flex (utopia-grid-layout)
3. Add container queries for component adaptation (utopia-container-queries)

Result: Complete Utopia-aligned responsive system with layered fluidity:

• Viewport-based: Global Utopia scales
• Layout-based: Grid/Flex with fluid gaps
• Component-based: Container queries with cqi units

Resources

• MDN Container Queries: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/CSS_containment/Container_queries
• Chrome Guide: https://developer.chrome.com/blog/cq-polyfill
• Container Query Units: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/length#container_query_length_units
• Modern CSS Solutions: https://moderncss.dev/container-query-units-and-fluid-typography/
• Can I Use: https://caniuse.com/css-container-queries

Next Steps

After implementing container queries:

1. Test components in multiple contexts (sidebar, main, grid cells)
2. Verify browser zoom works correctly (200% test)
3. Ensure accessibility with min/max bounds using Utopia steps
4. Document container query breakpoints for team reference
5. Build component library with container-aware components
6. Integrate with design system using Utopia shared vocabulary