Use CSS variables to define light and dark theme colors and apply them with a .dark-mode class for easy switching. 2. Add a toggle button in HTML and use JavaScript to switch themes by adding or removing the .dark-mode class on the body while saving the user’s preference in localStorage. 3. Optionally, respect the OS-level dark mode preference using prefers-color-scheme and apply it only if the user hasn’t manually set a preference. 4. Improve usability by dynamically updating the toggle button label to indicate the next action, such as "Switch to Light Mode" or "Switch to Dark Mode", for a clearer user experience.
Adding a dark mode to your website improves user experience, especially in low-light environments. It’s not just about aesthetics—dark mode can reduce eye strain and save battery on OLED screens. Implementing it with CSS and JavaScript is straightforward and gives users control over their preferred theme. Here’s how to do it effectively.

1. Use CSS Variables for Theme Management
The easiest way to manage light and dark themes is by defining color variables in CSS. Use :root
for light mode and override it in a .dark-mode
class.
/* Default (Light Mode) */ :root { --bg-color: #ffffff; --text-color: #333333; --accent-color: #007bff; } /* Dark Mode */ .dark-mode { --bg-color: #1a1a1a; --text-color: #f0f0f0; --accent-color: #00a2ff; } /* Apply variables to body and elements */ body { background-color: var(--bg-color); color: var(--text-color); transition: background-color 0.3s ease, color 0.3s ease; } button, .toggle { background-color: var(--accent-color); border: none; color: white; padding: 10px 15px; cursor: pointer; }
The transition
property ensures a smooth switch between modes.

2. Add a Toggle Button with JavaScript
Create a button in your HTML to let users switch themes:
<button id="darkModeToggle">Toggle Dark Mode</button>
Now use JavaScript to toggle the .dark-mode
class on the <body>
element and save the user’s preference in localStorage
.

const toggleButton = document.getElementById('darkModeToggle'); // Check user preference on page load if (localStorage.getItem('darkMode') === 'enabled') { document.body.classList.add('dark-mode'); } // Toggle dark mode function toggleDarkMode() { document.body.classList.toggle('dark-mode'); // Save preference if (document.body.classList.contains('dark-mode')) { localStorage.setItem('darkMode', 'enabled'); } else { localStorage.setItem('darkMode', 'disabled'); } } toggleButton.addEventListener('click', toggleDarkMode);
This ensures the selected theme persists across page reloads.
3. (Optional) Respect OS-Level Preference
You can default to dark mode if the user has it enabled system-wide using the prefers-color-scheme
media query.
/* Apply dark mode by default if OS preference is dark */ @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) { body:not(.light-mode) { background-color: #1a1a1a; color: #f0f0f0; } }
Update JavaScript to respect OS settings only if the user hasn’t made a choice:
// On page load const userPreference = localStorage.getItem('darkMode'); if (userPreference === 'enabled') { document.body.classList.add('dark-mode'); } else if (userPreference === 'disabled') { document.body.classList.remove('dark-mode'); } else { // No preference saved: use OS setting if (window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches) { document.body.classList.add('dark-mode'); localStorage.setItem('darkMode', 'enabled'); } }
This gives a smart default while still letting users override it.
4. Improve UX with a Clear Label
Instead of a generic "Toggle" button, show what action will happen:
function updateButtonLabel() { const isDarkMode = document.body.classList.contains('dark-mode'); toggleButton.textContent = isDarkMode ? 'Switch to Light Mode' : 'Switch to Dark Mode'; } // Call this after toggling toggleButton.addEventListener('click', () => { toggleDarkMode(); updateButtonLabel(); }); // Also call on load updateButtonLabel();
This small detail makes the interface more intuitive.
Implementing dark mode doesn’t have to be complex. With CSS variables, a little JavaScript, and attention to user preferences, you can deliver a polished, accessible experience. Basically, it’s about consistency, persistence, and respecting user choice.
The above is the detailed content of Implementing Dark Mode with CSS and JavaScript. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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