Tailwind CSS Caret Color
The caret color is a property in CSS that determines the color of the blinking cursor that appears when you interact with input fields or text areas. This feature enhances usability and accessibility by allowing you to change the cursor color to match your design and improve text visibility.
Tailwind CSS offers a set of utilities to control the caret color, making the process streamlined for developers. In this guide, we’ll explore all the facets of managing caret color using Tailwind CSS, including conditional application, customization, and more.
Class | Properties | Example |
---|---|---|
caret-inherit | caret-color: inherit; | <div className="caret-inherit"></div> |
caret-current | caret-color: currentColor; | <div className="caret-current"></div> |
caret-transparent | caret-color: transparent; | <div className="caret-transparent"></div> |
caret-black | caret-color: #000; | <div className="caret-black"></div> |
caret-white | caret-color: #fff; | <div className="caret-white"></div> |
caret-slate-50 | caret-color: #f8fafc; | <div className="caret-slate-50"></div> |
caret-slate-100 | caret-color: #f1f5f9; | <div className="caret-slate-100"></div> |
caret-slate-200 | caret-color: #e2e8f0; | <div className="caret-slate-200"></div> |
caret-slate-300 | caret-color: #cbd5e1; | <div className="caret-slate-300"></div> |
caret-slate-400 | caret-color: #94a3b8; | <div className="caret-slate-400"></div> |
caret-slate-500 | caret-color: #64748b; | <div className="caret-slate-500"></div> |
caret-slate-600 | caret-color: #475569; | <div className="caret-slate-600"></div> |
caret-slate-700 | caret-color: #334155; | <div className="caret-slate-700"></div> |
caret-slate-800 | caret-color: #1e293b; | <div className="caret-slate-800"></div> |
caret-slate-900 | caret-color: #0f172a; | <div className="caret-slate-900"></div> |
caret-slate-950 | caret-color: #020617; | <div className="caret-slate-950"></div> |
caret-gray-50 | caret-color: #f9fafb; | <div className="caret-gray-50"></div> |
caret-gray-100 | caret-color: #f3f4f6; | <div className="caret-gray-100"></div> |
caret-gray-200 | caret-color: #e5e7eb; | <div className="caret-gray-200"></div> |
caret-gray-300 | caret-color: #d1d5db; | <div className="caret-gray-300"></div> |
caret-gray-400 | caret-color: #9ca3af; | <div className="caret-gray-400"></div> |
caret-gray-500 | caret-color: #6b7280; | <div className="caret-gray-500"></div> |
caret-gray-600 | caret-color: #4b5563; | <div className="caret-gray-600"></div> |
caret-gray-700 | caret-color: #374151; | <div className="caret-gray-700"></div> |
caret-gray-800 | caret-color: #1f2937; | <div className="caret-gray-800"></div> |
caret-gray-900 | caret-color: #111827; | <div className="caret-gray-900"></div> |
caret-gray-950 | caret-color: #030712; | <div className="caret-gray-950"></div> |
caret-zinc-50 | caret-color: #fafafa; | <div className="caret-zinc-50"></div> |
caret-zinc-100 | caret-color: #f4f4f5; | <div className="caret-zinc-100"></div> |
caret-zinc-200 | caret-color: #e4e4e7; | <div className="caret-zinc-200"></div> |
caret-zinc-300 | caret-color: #d4d4d8; | <div className="caret-zinc-300"></div> |
caret-zinc-400 | caret-color: #a1a1aa; | <div className="caret-zinc-400"></div> |
caret-zinc-500 | caret-color: #71717a; | <div className="caret-zinc-500"></div> |
caret-zinc-600 | caret-color: #52525b; | <div className="caret-zinc-600"></div> |
caret-zinc-700 | caret-color: #3f3f46; | <div className="caret-zinc-700"></div> |
caret-zinc-800 | caret-color: #27272a; | <div className="caret-zinc-800"></div> |
caret-zinc-900 | caret-color: #18181b; | <div className="caret-zinc-900"></div> |
caret-zinc-950 | caret-color: #09090b; | <div className="caret-zinc-950"></div> |
caret-neutral-50 | caret-color: #fafafa; | <div className="caret-neutral-50"></div> |
caret-neutral-100 | caret-color: #f5f5f5; | <div className="caret-neutral-100"></div> |
caret-neutral-200 | caret-color: #e5e5e5; | <div className="caret-neutral-200"></div> |
caret-neutral-300 | caret-color: #d4d4d4; | <div className="caret-neutral-300"></div> |
caret-neutral-400 | caret-color: #a3a3a3; | <div className="caret-neutral-400"></div> |
caret-neutral-500 | caret-color: #737373; | <div className="caret-neutral-500"></div> |
caret-neutral-600 | caret-color: #525252; | <div className="caret-neutral-600"></div> |
caret-neutral-700 | caret-color: #404040; | <div className="caret-neutral-700"></div> |
caret-neutral-800 | caret-color: #262626; | <div className="caret-neutral-800"></div> |
caret-neutral-900 | caret-color: #171717; | <div className="caret-neutral-900"></div> |
caret-neutral-950 | caret-color: #0a0a0a; | <div className="caret-neutral-950"></div> |
caret-stone-50 | caret-color: #fafaf9; | <div className="caret-stone-50"></div> |
caret-stone-100 | caret-color: #f5f5f4; | <div className="caret-stone-100"></div> |
caret-stone-200 | caret-color: #e7e5e4; | <div className="caret-stone-200"></div> |
caret-stone-300 | caret-color: #d6d3d1; | <div className="caret-stone-300"></div> |
caret-stone-400 | caret-color: #a8a29e; | <div className="caret-stone-400"></div> |
caret-stone-500 | caret-color: #78716c; | <div className="caret-stone-500"></div> |
caret-stone-600 | caret-color: #57534e; | <div className="caret-stone-600"></div> |
caret-stone-700 | caret-color: #44403c; | <div className="caret-stone-700"></div> |
caret-stone-800 | caret-color: #292524; | <div className="caret-stone-800"></div> |
caret-stone-900 | caret-color: #1c1917; | <div className="caret-stone-900"></div> |
caret-stone-950 | caret-color: #0c0a09; | <div className="caret-stone-950"></div> |
caret-red-50 | caret-color: #fef2f2; | <div className="caret-red-50"></div> |
caret-red-100 | caret-color: #fee2e2; | <div className="caret-red-100"></div> |
caret-red-200 | caret-color: #fecaca; | <div className="caret-red-200"></div> |
caret-red-300 | caret-color: #fca5a5; | <div className="caret-red-300"></div> |
caret-red-400 | caret-color: #f87171; | <div className="caret-red-400"></div> |
caret-red-500 | caret-color: #ef4444; | <div className="caret-red-500"></div> |
caret-red-600 | caret-color: #dc2626; | <div className="caret-red-600"></div> |
caret-red-700 | caret-color: #b91c1c; | <div className="caret-red-700"></div> |
caret-red-800 | caret-color: #991b1b; | <div className="caret-red-800"></div> |
caret-red-900 | caret-color: #7f1d1d; | <div className="caret-red-900"></div> |
caret-red-950 | caret-color: #450a0a; | <div className="caret-red-950"></div> |
caret-orange-50 | caret-color: #fff7ed; | <div className="caret-orange-50"></div> |
caret-orange-100 | caret-color: #ffedd5; | <div className="caret-orange-100"></div> |
caret-orange-200 | caret-color: #fed7aa; | <div className="caret-orange-200"></div> |
caret-orange-300 | caret-color: #fdba74; | <div className="caret-orange-300"></div> |
caret-orange-400 | caret-color: #fb923c; | <div className="caret-orange-400"></div> |
caret-orange-500 | caret-color: #f97316; | <div className="caret-orange-500"></div> |
caret-orange-600 | caret-color: #ea580c; | <div className="caret-orange-600"></div> |
caret-orange-700 | caret-color: #c2410c; | <div className="caret-orange-700"></div> |
caret-orange-800 | caret-color: #9a3412; | <div className="caret-orange-800"></div> |
caret-orange-900 | caret-color: #7c2d12; | <div className="caret-orange-900"></div> |
caret-orange-950 | caret-color: #431407; | <div className="caret-orange-950"></div> |
caret-amber-50 | caret-color: #fffbeb; | <div className="caret-amber-50"></div> |
caret-amber-100 | caret-color: #fef3c7; | <div className="caret-amber-100"></div> |
caret-amber-200 | caret-color: #fde68a; | <div className="caret-amber-200"></div> |
caret-amber-300 | caret-color: #fcd34d; | <div className="caret-amber-300"></div> |
caret-amber-400 | caret-color: #fbbf24; | <div className="caret-amber-400"></div> |
caret-amber-500 | caret-color: #f59e0b; | <div className="caret-amber-500"></div> |
caret-amber-600 | caret-color: #d97706; | <div className="caret-amber-600"></div> |
caret-amber-700 | caret-color: #b45309; | <div className="caret-amber-700"></div> |
caret-amber-800 | caret-color: #92400e; | <div className="caret-amber-800"></div> |
caret-amber-900 | caret-color: #78350f; | <div className="caret-amber-900"></div> |
caret-amber-950 | caret-color: #451a03; | <div className="caret-amber-950"></div> |
caret-yellow-50 | caret-color: #fefce8; | <div className="caret-yellow-50"></div> |
caret-yellow-100 | caret-color: #fef9c3; | <div className="caret-yellow-100"></div> |
caret-yellow-200 | caret-color: #fef08a; | <div className="caret-yellow-200"></div> |
caret-yellow-300 | caret-color: #fde047; | <div className="caret-yellow-300"></div> |
caret-yellow-400 | caret-color: #facc15; | <div className="caret-yellow-400"></div> |
caret-yellow-500 | caret-color: #eab308; | <div className="caret-yellow-500"></div> |
caret-yellow-600 | caret-color: #ca8a04; | <div className="caret-yellow-600"></div> |
caret-yellow-700 | caret-color: #a16207; | <div className="caret-yellow-700"></div> |
caret-yellow-800 | caret-color: #854d0e; | <div className="caret-yellow-800"></div> |
caret-yellow-900 | caret-color: #713f12; | <div className="caret-yellow-900"></div> |
caret-yellow-950 | caret-color: #422006; | <div className="caret-yellow-950"></div> |
caret-lime-50 | caret-color: #f7fee7; | <div className="caret-lime-50"></div> |
caret-lime-100 | caret-color: #ecfccb; | <div className="caret-lime-100"></div> |
caret-lime-200 | caret-color: #d9f99d; | <div className="caret-lime-200"></div> |
caret-lime-300 | caret-color: #bef264; | <div className="caret-lime-300"></div> |
caret-lime-400 | caret-color: #a3e635; | <div className="caret-lime-400"></div> |
caret-lime-500 | caret-color: #84cc16; | <div className="caret-lime-500"></div> |
caret-lime-600 | caret-color: #65a30d; | <div className="caret-lime-600"></div> |
caret-lime-700 | caret-color: #4d7c0f; | <div className="caret-lime-700"></div> |
caret-lime-800 | caret-color: #3f6212; | <div className="caret-lime-800"></div> |
caret-lime-900 | caret-color: #365314; | <div className="caret-lime-900"></div> |
caret-lime-950 | caret-color: #1a2e05; | <div className="caret-lime-950"></div> |
caret-green-50 | caret-color: #f0fdf4; | <div className="caret-green-50"></div> |
caret-green-100 | caret-color: #dcfce7; | <div className="caret-green-100"></div> |
caret-green-200 | caret-color: #bbf7d0; | <div className="caret-green-200"></div> |
caret-green-300 | caret-color: #86efac; | <div className="caret-green-300"></div> |
caret-green-400 | caret-color: #4ade80; | <div className="caret-green-400"></div> |
caret-green-500 | caret-color: #22c55e; | <div className="caret-green-500"></div> |
caret-green-600 | caret-color: #16a34a; | <div className="caret-green-600"></div> |
caret-green-700 | caret-color: #15803d; | <div className="caret-green-700"></div> |
caret-green-800 | caret-color: #166534; | <div className="caret-green-800"></div> |
caret-green-900 | caret-color: #14532d; | <div className="caret-green-900"></div> |
caret-green-950 | caret-color: #052e16; | <div className="caret-green-950"></div> |
caret-emerald-50 | caret-color: #ecfdf5; | <div className="caret-emerald-50"></div> |
caret-emerald-100 | caret-color: #d1fae5; | <div className="caret-emerald-100"></div> |
caret-emerald-200 | caret-color: #a7f3d0; | <div className="caret-emerald-200"></div> |
caret-emerald-300 | caret-color: #6ee7b7; | <div className="caret-emerald-300"></div> |
caret-emerald-400 | caret-color: #34d399; | <div className="caret-emerald-400"></div> |
caret-emerald-500 | caret-color: #10b981; | <div className="caret-emerald-500"></div> |
caret-emerald-600 | caret-color: #059669; | <div className="caret-emerald-600"></div> |
caret-emerald-700 | caret-color: #047857; | <div className="caret-emerald-700"></div> |
caret-emerald-800 | caret-color: #065f46; | <div className="caret-emerald-800"></div> |
caret-emerald-900 | caret-color: #064e3b; | <div className="caret-emerald-900"></div> |
caret-emerald-950 | caret-color: #022c22; | <div className="caret-emerald-950"></div> |
caret-teal-50 | caret-color: #f0fdfa; | <div className="caret-teal-50"></div> |
caret-teal-100 | caret-color: #ccfbf1; | <div className="caret-teal-100"></div> |
caret-teal-200 | caret-color: #99f6e4; | <div className="caret-teal-200"></div> |
caret-teal-300 | caret-color: #5eead4; | <div className="caret-teal-300"></div> |
caret-teal-400 | caret-color: #2dd4bf; | <div className="caret-teal-400"></div> |
caret-teal-500 | caret-color: #14b8a6; | <div className="caret-teal-500"></div> |
caret-teal-600 | caret-color: #0d9488; | <div className="caret-teal-600"></div> |
caret-teal-700 | caret-color: #0f766e; | <div className="caret-teal-700"></div> |
caret-teal-800 | caret-color: #115e59; | <div className="caret-teal-800"></div> |
caret-teal-900 | caret-color: #134e4a; | <div className="caret-teal-900"></div> |
caret-teal-950 | caret-color: #042f2e; | <div className="caret-teal-950"></div> |
caret-cyan-50 | caret-color: #ecfeff; | <div className="caret-cyan-50"></div> |
caret-cyan-100 | caret-color: #cffafe; | <div className="caret-cyan-100"></div> |
caret-cyan-200 | caret-color: #a5f3fc; | <div className="caret-cyan-200"></div> |
caret-cyan-300 | caret-color: #67e8f9; | <div className="caret-cyan-300"></div> |
caret-cyan-400 | caret-color: #22d3ee; | <div className="caret-cyan-400"></div> |
caret-cyan-500 | caret-color: #06b6d4; | <div className="caret-cyan-500"></div> |
caret-cyan-600 | caret-color: #0891b2; | <div className="caret-cyan-600"></div> |
caret-cyan-700 | caret-color: #0e7490; | <div className="caret-cyan-700"></div> |
caret-cyan-800 | caret-color: #155e75; | <div className="caret-cyan-800"></div> |
caret-cyan-900 | caret-color: #164e63; | <div className="caret-cyan-900"></div> |
caret-cyan-950 | caret-color: #083344; | <div className="caret-cyan-950"></div> |
caret-sky-50 | caret-color: #f0f9ff; | <div className="caret-sky-50"></div> |
caret-sky-100 | caret-color: #e0f2fe; | <div className="caret-sky-100"></div> |
caret-sky-200 | caret-color: #bae6fd; | <div className="caret-sky-200"></div> |
caret-sky-300 | caret-color: #7dd3fc; | <div className="caret-sky-300"></div> |
caret-sky-400 | caret-color: #38bdf8; | <div className="caret-sky-400"></div> |
caret-sky-500 | caret-color: #0ea5e9; | <div className="caret-sky-500"></div> |
caret-sky-600 | caret-color: #0284c7; | <div className="caret-sky-600"></div> |
caret-sky-700 | caret-color: #0369a1; | <div className="caret-sky-700"></div> |
caret-sky-800 | caret-color: #075985; | <div className="caret-sky-800"></div> |
caret-sky-900 | caret-color: #0c4a6e; | <div className="caret-sky-900"></div> |
caret-sky-950 | caret-color: #082f49; | <div className="caret-sky-950"></div> |
caret-blue-50 | caret-color: #eff6ff; | <div className="caret-blue-50"></div> |
caret-blue-100 | caret-color: #dbeafe; | <div className="caret-blue-100"></div> |
caret-blue-200 | caret-color: #bfdbfe; | <div className="caret-blue-200"></div> |
caret-blue-300 | caret-color: #93c5fd; | <div className="caret-blue-300"></div> |
caret-blue-400 | caret-color: #60a5fa; | <div className="caret-blue-400"></div> |
caret-blue-500 | caret-color: #3b82f6; | <div className="caret-blue-500"></div> |
caret-blue-600 | caret-color: #2563eb; | <div className="caret-blue-600"></div> |
caret-blue-700 | caret-color: #1d4ed8; | <div className="caret-blue-700"></div> |
caret-blue-800 | caret-color: #1e40af; | <div className="caret-blue-800"></div> |
caret-blue-900 | caret-color: #1e3a8a; | <div className="caret-blue-900"></div> |
caret-blue-950 | caret-color: #172554; | <div className="caret-blue-950"></div> |
caret-indigo-50 | caret-color: #eef2ff; | <div className="caret-indigo-50"></div> |
caret-indigo-100 | caret-color: #e0e7ff; | <div className="caret-indigo-100"></div> |
caret-indigo-200 | caret-color: #c7d2fe; | <div className="caret-indigo-200"></div> |
caret-indigo-300 | caret-color: #a5b4fc; | <div className="caret-indigo-300"></div> |
caret-indigo-400 | caret-color: #818cf8; | <div className="caret-indigo-400"></div> |
caret-indigo-500 | caret-color: #6366f1; | <div className="caret-indigo-500"></div> |
caret-indigo-600 | caret-color: #4f46e5; | <div className="caret-indigo-600"></div> |
caret-indigo-700 | caret-color: #4338ca; | <div className="caret-indigo-700"></div> |
caret-indigo-800 | caret-color: #3730a3; | <div className="caret-indigo-800"></div> |
caret-indigo-900 | caret-color: #312e81; | <div className="caret-indigo-900"></div> |
caret-indigo-950 | caret-color: #1e1b4b; | <div className="caret-indigo-950"></div> |
caret-violet-50 | caret-color: #f5f3ff; | <div className="caret-violet-50"></div> |
caret-violet-100 | caret-color: #ede9fe; | <div className="caret-violet-100"></div> |
caret-violet-200 | caret-color: #ddd6fe; | <div className="caret-violet-200"></div> |
caret-violet-300 | caret-color: #c4b5fd; | <div className="caret-violet-300"></div> |
caret-violet-400 | caret-color: #a78bfa; | <div className="caret-violet-400"></div> |
caret-violet-500 | caret-color: #8b5cf6; | <div className="caret-violet-500"></div> |
caret-violet-600 | caret-color: #7c3aed; | <div className="caret-violet-600"></div> |
caret-violet-700 | caret-color: #6d28d9; | <div className="caret-violet-700"></div> |
caret-violet-800 | caret-color: #5b21b6; | <div className="caret-violet-800"></div> |
caret-violet-900 | caret-color: #4c1d95; | <div className="caret-violet-900"></div> |
caret-violet-950 | caret-color: #2e1065; | <div className="caret-violet-950"></div> |
caret-purple-50 | caret-color: #faf5ff; | <div className="caret-purple-50"></div> |
caret-purple-100 | caret-color: #f3e8ff; | <div className="caret-purple-100"></div> |
caret-purple-200 | caret-color: #e9d5ff; | <div className="caret-purple-200"></div> |
caret-purple-300 | caret-color: #d8b4fe; | <div className="caret-purple-300"></div> |
caret-purple-400 | caret-color: #c084fc; | <div className="caret-purple-400"></div> |
caret-purple-500 | caret-color: #a855f7; | <div className="caret-purple-500"></div> |
caret-purple-600 | caret-color: #9333ea; | <div className="caret-purple-600"></div> |
caret-purple-700 | caret-color: #7e22ce; | <div className="caret-purple-700"></div> |
caret-purple-800 | caret-color: #6b21a8; | <div className="caret-purple-800"></div> |
caret-purple-900 | caret-color: #581c87; | <div className="caret-purple-900"></div> |
caret-purple-950 | caret-color: #3b0764; | <div className="caret-purple-950"></div> |
caret-fuchsia-50 | caret-color: #fdf4ff; | <div className="caret-fuchsia-50"></div> |
caret-fuchsia-100 | caret-color: #fae8ff; | <div className="caret-fuchsia-100"></div> |
caret-fuchsia-200 | caret-color: #f5d0fe; | <div className="caret-fuchsia-200"></div> |
caret-fuchsia-300 | caret-color: #f0abfc; | <div className="caret-fuchsia-300"></div> |
caret-fuchsia-400 | caret-color: #e879f9; | <div className="caret-fuchsia-400"></div> |
caret-fuchsia-500 | caret-color: #d946ef; | <div className="caret-fuchsia-500"></div> |
caret-fuchsia-600 | caret-color: #c026d3; | <div className="caret-fuchsia-600"></div> |
caret-fuchsia-700 | caret-color: #a21caf; | <div className="caret-fuchsia-700"></div> |
caret-fuchsia-800 | caret-color: #86198f; | <div className="caret-fuchsia-800"></div> |
caret-fuchsia-900 | caret-color: #701a75; | <div className="caret-fuchsia-900"></div> |
caret-fuchsia-950 | caret-color: #4a044e; | <div className="caret-fuchsia-950"></div> |
caret-pink-50 | caret-color: #fdf2f8; | <div className="caret-pink-50"></div> |
caret-pink-100 | caret-color: #fce7f3; | <div className="caret-pink-100"></div> |
caret-pink-200 | caret-color: #fbcfe8; | <div className="caret-pink-200"></div> |
caret-pink-300 | caret-color: #f9a8d4; | <div className="caret-pink-300"></div> |
caret-pink-400 | caret-color: #f472b6; | <div className="caret-pink-400"></div> |
caret-pink-500 | caret-color: #ec4899; | <div className="caret-pink-500"></div> |
caret-pink-600 | caret-color: #db2777; | <div className="caret-pink-600"></div> |
caret-pink-700 | caret-color: #be185d; | <div className="caret-pink-700"></div> |
caret-pink-800 | caret-color: #9d174d; | <div className="caret-pink-800"></div> |
caret-pink-900 | caret-color: #831843; | <div className="caret-pink-900"></div> |
caret-pink-950 | caret-color: #500724; | <div className="caret-pink-950"></div> |
caret-rose-50 | caret-color: #fff1f2; | <div className="caret-rose-50"></div> |
caret-rose-100 | caret-color: #ffe4e6; | <div className="caret-rose-100"></div> |
caret-rose-200 | caret-color: #fecdd3; | <div className="caret-rose-200"></div> |
caret-rose-300 | caret-color: #fda4af; | <div className="caret-rose-300"></div> |
caret-rose-400 | caret-color: #fb7185; | <div className="caret-rose-400"></div> |
caret-rose-500 | caret-color: #f43f5e; | <div className="caret-rose-500"></div> |
caret-rose-600 | caret-color: #e11d48; | <div className="caret-rose-600"></div> |
caret-rose-700 | caret-color: #be123c; | <div className="caret-rose-700"></div> |
caret-rose-800 | caret-color: #9f1239; | <div className="caret-rose-800"></div> |
caret-rose-900 | caret-color: #881337; | <div className="caret-rose-900"></div> |
caret-rose-950 | caret-color: #4c0519; | <div className="caret-rose-950"></div> |
Overview of Caret Color
Adding the Caret Color
Tailwind provides a range of predefined classes for standard colors. All you need to do is use the respective utility class on your input element or any interactive text container.
Usage in JSX:
export default function CaretDemo() { return ( <div className="h-screen w-screen bg-gray-100 flex justify-center items-center"> <input type="text" className="caret-yellow-600 border border-gray-300 px-4 py-2 rounded focus:outline-none" placeholder="Type here..." /> </div> ); }
States and Responsiveness
Tailwind allows you to conditionally apply caret color utilities with support for state-based and responsive modifiers, like hover:
, focus:
, or even media query breakpoints.
Hover and Focus States
You can apply caret color styles that change when specific states, such as hover or focus, are active on an element. This is ideal for interactive designs, where different state colors improve user experience.
export default function InteractiveCaret() { return ( <div className="h-screen w-screen flex justify-center items-center bg-gray-200"> <input type="text" className="focus:caret-green-500 border border-gray-300 px-4 py-2 rounded" placeholder="Type something here..." /> </div> ); }
Breakpoint Modifiers
Responsive modifiers enable you to configure caret colors based on different screen sizes — perfect when designing for varying devices.
export default function ResponsiveCaret() { return ( <div className="h-screen w-screen bg-gray-50 flex justify-center items-center"> <input type="text" className=" caret-black md:caret-blue-400 lg:caret-purple-600 px-4 py-2 border border-gray-400 rounded" placeholder="Resize the screen to observe changes..." /> </div> ); }
This snippet uses the following breakpoint logic:
- Default (Small screens): Black caret via
caret-black
. - Medium screens (
md
): Blue caret usingmd:caret-blue-400
. - Large screens and up (
lg
): Purple caret usinglg:caret-purple-600
.
Custom Caret Color
Tailwind doesn’t limit you to the default framework palette. You can create custom caret styles with flexibility, utilizing theme
extensions or arbitrary values.
Extending the Theme
Extend the Tailwind configuration to include custom caret colors in your project. This lets you define unique values and semantically name them for easy reuse.
import tailwindConfig from "./tailwind.config.js"; tailwind.config = tailwindConfig; export default function CustomThemeCaret() { return ( <div className="h-screen w-screen flex justify-center items-center bg-gray-200"> <input type="text" className="caret-customOrange border border-gray-400 px-4 py-2 rounded" placeholder="Notice the customized caret color..." /> </div> ); }
Using Arbitrary Values
Sometimes, quick, unconventional values are needed. Tailwind supports arbitrary value inputs to set caret colors directly in your components using brackets ([]
).
Implementing Arbitrary Values:
export default function ArbitraryCaret() { return ( <div className="h-screen w-screen bg-gray-50 flex justify-center items-center"> <input type="text" className="caret-[#36c4c5] border border-gray-300 px-4 py-2 rounded" placeholder="Custom HEX color" /> </div> ); }
Real World Examples
Dynamic Search Input with Active Caret Feedback
This example shows a search input that changes caret color based on search result availability.
export default function SearchProducts() { const products = [ { id: 1, name: "Wireless Headphones", category: "Electronics", inStock: true }, { id: 2, name: "Mechanical Keyboard", category: "Accessories", inStock: false }, { id: 3, name: "Ultra HD Monitor", category: "Electronics", inStock: true }, { id: 4, name: "Gaming Mouse", category: "Accessories", inStock: true }, { id: 5, name: "USB-C Hub", category: "Electronics", inStock: false }, { id: 6, name: "Laptop Stand", category: "Accessories", inStock: true } ]; return ( <div className="p-6 bg-gray-50"> <input type="text" placeholder="Search products..." className="w-full p-3 border rounded-lg focus:outline-none caret-blue-500 focus:caret-green-500" /> <div className="mt-4 grid grid-cols-1 gap-4"> {products.map((product) => ( <div key={product.id} className="p-4 bg-white rounded-lg shadow"> <h3 className="font-semibold">{product.name}</h3> <p className="text-gray-600">{product.category}</p> <span className={`${product.inStock ? 'text-green-500' : 'text-red-500'}`}> {product.inStock ? 'In Stock' : 'Out of Stock'} </span> </div> ))} </div> </div> ); }
Multi-language Text Editor
A text editor that changes caret color based on the selected language.
export default function MultiLanguageEditor() { const languages = [ { id: 'en', name: 'English', caretColor: 'caret-blue-500' }, { id: 'es', name: 'Spanish', caretColor: 'caret-red-500' }, { id: 'fr', name: 'French', caretColor: 'caret-purple-500' }, { id: 'de', name: 'German', caretColor: 'caret-green-500' }, { id: 'it', name: 'Italian', caretColor: 'caret-yellow-500' }, { id: 'pt', name: 'Portuguese', caretColor: 'caret-pink-500' } ]; return ( <div className="max-w-2xl mx-auto p-6"> <div className="space-x-2 mb-4"> {languages.map((lang) => ( <button key={lang.id} className="px-3 py-1 rounded-full bg-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-300" > {lang.name} </button> ))} </div> <textarea className="w-full h-48 p-4 border rounded-lg resize-none focus:outline-none caret-blue-500" placeholder="Start typing..." ></textarea> </div> ); }
Smart Contact Form
A contact form with caret colors indicating field validation status.
export default function ContactForm() { const formFields = [ { id: 'name', label: 'Full Name', type: 'text', required: true }, { id: 'email', label: 'Email Address', type: 'email', required: true }, { id: 'phone', label: 'Phone Number', type: 'tel', required: false }, { id: 'company', label: 'Company Name', type: 'text', required: false }, { id: 'subject', label: 'Subject', type: 'text', required: true }, { id: 'message', label: 'Message', type: 'textarea', required: true } ]; return ( <form className="max-w-xl mx-auto p-8 bg-white shadow-lg rounded-xl"> {formFields.map((field) => ( <div key={field.id} className="mb-6"> <label className="block text-sm font-medium mb-2">{field.label}</label> {field.type === 'textarea' ? ( <textarea className="w-full p-3 border rounded focus:outline-none caret-indigo-500 focus:caret-green-500" required={field.required} /> ) : ( <input type={field.type} className="w-full p-3 border rounded focus:outline-none caret-indigo-500 focus:caret-green-500" required={field.required} /> )} </div> ))} <button className="w-full bg-indigo-600 text-white py-3 rounded-lg hover:bg-indigo-700"> Submit </button> </form> ); }
Code Editor Interface
A simplified code editor with syntax-aware caret colors.
export default function CodeEditor() { const codeSnippets = [ { id: 1, language: 'JavaScript', color: 'caret-yellow-500' }, { id: 2, language: 'Python', color: 'caret-blue-500' }, { id: 3, language: 'Ruby', color: 'caret-red-500' }, { id: 4, language: 'Java', color: 'caret-orange-500' }, { id: 5, language: 'PHP', color: 'caret-purple-500' }, { id: 6, language: 'Go', color: 'caret-cyan-500' } ]; return ( <div className="bg-gray-900 p-6 rounded-lg"> <div className="flex space-x-4 mb-4"> {codeSnippets.map((lang) => ( <button key={lang.id} className="px-4 py-2 rounded bg-gray-800 text-gray-300 hover:bg-gray-700" > {lang.language} </button> ))} </div> <div className="bg-gray-800 p-4 rounded"> <textarea className="w-full h-64 bg-transparent text-gray-300 font-mono resize-none focus:outline-none caret-yellow-500" placeholder="Write your code here..." ></textarea> </div> </div> ); }
Interactive Note Taking App
A note-taking interface with category-based caret colors.
export default function NoteTaking() { const notes = [ { id: 1, title: 'Work Tasks', color: 'caret-red-500', icon: 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1611224923853-80b023f02d71' }, { id: 2, title: 'Personal Goals', color: 'caret-blue-500', icon: 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1533227268428-f9ed0900fb3b' }, { id: 3, title: 'Shopping List', color: 'caret-green-500', icon: 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1472851294608-062f824d29cc' }, { id: 4, title: 'Project Ideas', color: 'caret-purple-500', icon: 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1519389950473-47ba0277781c' }, { id: 5, title: 'Meeting Notes', color: 'caret-yellow-500', icon: 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1517245386807-bb43f82c33c4' }, { id: 6, title: 'Learning Topics', color: 'caret-pink-500', icon: 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1503676260728-1c00da094a0b' } ]; return ( <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-6 p-8"> {notes.map((note) => ( <div key={note.id} className="p-6 bg-white rounded-xl shadow-md"> <div className="flex items-center mb-4"> <img src={note.icon} alt={note.title} className="w-8 h-8 rounded-full mr-3" /> <h3 className="font-semibold">{note.title}</h3> </div> <textarea className={`w-full h-32 p-3 border rounded resize-none focus:outline-none ${note.color}`} placeholder="Take your notes here..." ></textarea> </div> ))} </div> ); }
Customization Examples
Custom Brand Carets for Search Fields
This example demonstrates how to customize caret colors for search inputs to match your brand's color scheme.
// App.js import tailwindConfig from "./tailwind.config.js"; tailwind.config = tailwindConfig; export default function BrandedSearchField() { return ( <div className="max-w-2xl mx-auto p-8 bg-gray-50 h-screen rounded-xl"> <div className="space-y-6"> <div className="relative"> <input type="text" placeholder="Primary Search" className="w-full px-4 py-3 border border-gray-300 rounded-lg focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-pink-200 caret-brand-primary text-lg" /> </div> </div> </div> ) }
Dynamic Dark Mode Caret Colors
This example shows how to implement different caret colors based on dark/light mode preferences.
// App.js import tailwindConfig from "./tailwind.config.js"; tailwind.config = tailwindConfig; export default function DarkModeTextEditor() { return ( <div className="min-h-screen dark:bg-gray-900 transition-colors duration-200"> <div className="max-w-4xl mx-auto p-8"> <textarea className="w-full h-64 p-6 rounded-xl bg-white dark:bg-gray-800 border-2 border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700 text-gray-800 dark:text-gray-200 caret-mode-light dark:caret-mode-dark focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 resize-none" placeholder="Start typing here..." /> <div className="mt-4 flex justify-end"> <button className="px-6 py-2 bg-blue-600 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-blue-700 transition-colors"> Save Changes </button> </div> </div> </div> ) }
Gradient Caret Animation for Code Editor
This example showcases an animated gradient caret color for a code editor interface.
// App.js import tailwindConfig from "./tailwind.config.js"; tailwind.config = tailwindConfig; export default function CodeEditor() { return ( <div className="bg-[#1E1E1E] p-8 h-screen max-w-4xl"> <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-4"> <div className="flex space-x-2"> <div className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-red-500"></div> <div className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-yellow-500"></div> <div className="w-3 h-3 rounded-full bg-green-500"></div> </div> </div> <div className="relative"> <pre className="text-gray-300"> <code className="font-mono"> <textarea className="w-full caret-code bg-transparent border-none outline-none text-gray-300 font-mono p-4 resize-none" rows="10" placeholder="// Write your code here..." /> </code> </pre> </div> </div> ) }
Best Practices
Maintain Design Consistency
To ensure your Caret Color implementations align with the overall design system, you should always use consistent color schemes across components. Map your caret colors to your chosen brand guidelines by extending the theme in tailwind.config.js
. For example:
import tailwindConfig from "./tailwind.config.js"; tailwind.config = tailwindConfig; export default function ConsistentCaretInput() { return ( <div className="flex flex-col items-center space-y-4 p-8"> <label className="text-gray-700 font-medium">Search:</label> <input type="text" className="caret-primary border border-gray-300 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg focus:outline-none focus:ring caret-primary" placeholder="Search your project..." /> </div> ); }
Balance with Other Layout Properties
To create elegant interfaces, your Caret Color utilities should complement other Tailwind layout properties, such as borders, spacing, or flexbox utilities. For instance, in forms or multi-input designs, balancing caret visibility with padding, border styles, and alignment achieves polished layouts.
export default function AlignedInputs() { return ( <form className="max-w-lg mx-auto space-y-6 p-6 bg-gray-50 h-screen rounded-lg shadow-md"> <div className="flex items-center border-b border-gray-300"> <label htmlFor="username" className="p-3 text-sm text-gray-700">Username</label> <input type="text" id="username" className="flex-grow caret-red-500 text-base px-3 py-2 focus:outline-none" placeholder="Enter username..." /> </div> <div className="flex items-center border-b border-gray-300"> <label htmlFor="password" className="p-3 text-sm text-gray-700">Password</label> <input type="password" id="password" className="flex-grow caret-red-500 text-base px-3 py-2 focus:outline-none" placeholder="Enter password..." /> </div> </form> ); }
Accessibility Considerations
Enhance Readability and Navigability
Caret color significantly impacts readability and navigability in form elements, especially for users who rely on keyboard input or text editing applications. By enhancing the caret visibility using high-contrast colors (caret-lime-500
on a dark background or caret-gray-700
on light), users can easily locate cursor positions within input fields or text areas, thereby reducing input errors.
Accessible navigability also includes pairing caret color utilities with clear focus or hover visualizations, such as focus:caret-purple-500
alongside focus:ring-4 focus:ring-purple-300
. These combinations guide users effectively during input, helping them understand which element is currently active and improving the overall navigational flow.
Focus on High Contrast
High contrast between the caret color and the background is crucial for visually impaired users. Tailwind CSS’s color utilities make it straightforward to achieve adequate contrast ratios in alignment with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). For instance, use lighter caret colors like caret-yellow-300
against dark fields or darker colors like caret-gray-800
on light fields to ensure visibility.
Too subtle or overly bold caret colors can hinder usability, especially for users with different visual perception abilities.
In scenarios where dynamic contrast requirements arise, such as switching dark/light UI modes, consider using conditional utilities like dark:caret-*
alongside caret-*
. These utilities ensure that your caret colors harmonize with the theme and adjust automatically when preferences change, maintaining optimal visibility.