Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
Features
2.1.
Enhanced Grid System
3.
Comprehensive Components
4.
Utility Classes for Rapid Styling
5.
What’s New in Bootstrap 5?
5.1.
Simplified Customization
5.2.
Updated Form Controls
5.3.
Enhanced Navigation Bars
6.
What Has Been Dropped in Bootstrap 5?
6.1.
No More jQuery
6.2.
Goodbye to Internet Explorer Support
6.3.
Dropped Glyphicons
7.
Frequently Asked Questions
7.1.
Can I use Bootstrap 5 if I'm new to coding?
7.2.
Do I need to learn JavaScript to use Bootstrap 5?
7.3.
How do I make my website look different from others using Bootstrap 5?
8.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Aug 13, 2025
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Bootstrap 5

Author Ravi Khorwal
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Introduction

Bootstrap 5 is the latest version of the Bootstrap framework, a toolkit used by developers to build responsive & mobile-first websites quickly. This update brings new features & improvements, making web development more efficient.

Bootstrap 5

In this article, we'll explore what Bootstrap 5 offers, including its enhanced features, what's new, & what's been left behind from previous versions. You'll learn how to leverage these updates to create more modern, user-friendly web interfaces.

Features

Enhanced Grid System

The grid system in Bootstrap 5 is a cornerstone feature, providing a flexible structure to layout web pages. It's built on the Flexbox layout model, offering a more efficient way to design complex layouts without sacrificing responsiveness. Here's how you can leverage the grid system:

<div class="container">
  <div class="row">
    <div class="col-sm">
      Small column
    </div>
    <div class="col-md">
      Medium column
    </div>
    <div class="col-lg">
      Large column
    </div>
  </div>
</div>


This example demonstrates a responsive row with three columns that adapt their sizes across small, medium, and large devices. The 'container' class wraps the grid, 'row' defines a horizontal group of columns, and 'col-{breakpoint}' classes specify the column sizes at different device widths.

Comprehensive Components

Bootstrap 5 enriches your toolkit with an array of components, from navigation bars and dropdowns to alerts and modals, all customizable to fit your design requirements. For instance, to integrate a navigation bar into your site, you can use:

<nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg navbar-light bg-light">
  <a class="navbar-brand" href="#">Navbar</a>
  <button class="navbar-toggler" type="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#navbarNav" aria-controls="navbarNav" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation">
    <span class="navbar-toggler-icon"></span>
  </button>
  <div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="navbarNav">
    <ul class="navbar-nav">
      <li class="nav-item active">
        <a class="nav-link" href="#">Home <span class="sr-only">(current)</span></a>
      </li>
      <li class="nav-item">
        <a class="nav-link" href="#">Features</a>
      </li>
      <li class="nav-item">
        <a class="nav-link" href="#">Pricing</a>
      </li>
    </ul>
  </div>
</nav>


This snippet creates a responsive navigation bar that includes brand information, links, and a collapsible interface for smaller screens.

Utility Classes for Rapid Styling

Bootstrap 5's utility classes provide a quick and consistent way to style elements without writing custom CSS. These classes cover various aspects like spacing, text alignment, color, and more. For example, to adjust the spacing around an element, you might write:

<div class="p-5 m-2 bg-light">
  This div has padding (p) of 5 units on all sides & a margin (m) of 2 units.
</div>


In this case, 'p-5' adds padding, 'm-2' sets the margin, and 'bg-light' applies a light background color, showcasing how utility classes can efficiently style components.

What’s New in Bootstrap 5?

Bootstrap 5 brings some exciting updates that make your web projects more modern and easier to manage.

Simplified Customization

Customizing your site with Bootstrap 5 is simpler. You can change colors, fonts, and other elements to match your style. Here's how you can tweak the color scheme:

:root {
  --bs-primary: #0d6efd; /* Blue */
  --bs-success: #198754; /* Green */
  --bs-info: #0dcaf0; /* Cyan */
  /* Add more as needed */
}


By setting these variables in your CSS, you can apply your custom colors throughout your site with ease.

Updated Form Controls

Forms look better and are easier to use. Bootstrap 5 has new styles for checkboxes, radios, and switches. Here's a quick look at a styled form input.

<div class="mb-3">
  <label for="exampleFormControlInput1" class="form-label">Email address</label>
  <input type="email" class="form-control" id="exampleFormControlInput1" placeholder="name@example.com">
</div>


This code creates a neat email input field with a label, making forms more user-friendly.

Enhanced Navigation Bars

Navigation bars are now more flexible and easier to customize. You can create a responsive navbar that adjusts to screen size without extra plugins:

<nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg navbar-light bg-light">
  <a class="navbar-brand" href="#">Navbar</a>
  <button class="navbar-toggler" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#navbarNav" aria-controls="navbarNav" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation">
    <span class="navbar-toggler-icon"></span>
  </button>
  <div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="navbarNav">
    <ul class="navbar-nav">
      <li class="nav-item">
        <a class="nav-link" href="#">Home</a>
      </li>
      <li class="nav-item">
        <a class="nav-link" href="#">Features</a>
      </li>
      <!-- More items here -->
    </ul>
  </div>
</nav>


This navbar will adjust for different screen sizes, making your site more accessible on mobile devices.

What Has Been Dropped in Bootstrap 5?

Bootstrap 5 made some big changes by removing things that were not needed or were old. This makes Bootstrap faster and easier to use.

No More jQuery

One of the biggest changes is that Bootstrap 5 doesn't use jQuery anymore. jQuery is a tool that used to help with writing JavaScript, but now, Bootstrap uses plain JavaScript. This makes websites load faster because there's less code to download.

Goodbye to Internet Explorer Support

Bootstrap 5 also stopped supporting Internet Explorer (IE). IE is an old web browser that not many people use anymore. By not supporting IE, Bootstrap can use newer and better web technologies that make websites look great and work well.

Dropped Glyphicons

Bootstrap used to come with Glyphicons, which are small pictures you can use on buttons or menus. In Bootstrap 5, Glyphicons are not included anymore. But don't worry, you can still add pictures or icons from other places if you need them.

These changes help make Bootstrap 5 a better tool for making websites. It's more modern, faster, and easier to use without these old parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Bootstrap 5 if I'm new to coding?

Yes, Bootstrap 5 is made for everyone, whether you're just starting or you've been coding for a while. It has lots of examples and a big community online where you can get help.

Do I need to learn JavaScript to use Bootstrap 5?

It's helpful to know some JavaScript, but you don't need to be an expert. Bootstrap 5 uses JavaScript for some parts, like making menus that drop down. But you can use many parts of Bootstrap without writing JavaScript yourself.

How do I make my website look different from others using Bootstrap 5?

Bootstrap lets you change its styles to make your website look unique. You can pick different colors, change the layout, and add your own styles. There are also themes you can use to start with a different look.

Conclusion

Bootstrap 5 is a great tool for making websites that work well on phones, tablets, and computers. It's easy to start with, and there's a lot you can do to make your website look just how you want. Remember, practice is important. The more you use Bootstrap, the better you'll get at making websites that look great and are easy to use.

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