Tailwind CSS Installation & Setup Using CDN

Introduction

Tailwind CSS is a modern utility-first CSS framework that helps developers build responsive and professional user interfaces faster. For beginners or developers who want to quickly test Tailwind without complex setup, the CDN method is the easiest way to get started.

This guide explains Tailwind CSS installation and setup using the CDN method, along with version details and best practices.

Current Tailwind CSS Version

All components in Tailwind Plus are built for the latest version of Tailwind CSS, which is:

Tailwind CSS v4.1

Using the latest version ensures:

Compatibility with official components
Access to new utilities
Better performance and stability

What is the CDN Method in Tailwind CSS?

The CDN method allows you to use Tailwind CSS directly in your HTML file using a <script> tag—no Node.js, npm, or build tools required.

Ideal For

Beginners learning Tailwind CSS
Quick UI testing
Static HTML pages
Demo or sample projects

Not Ideal For

Production applications
Large-scale projects
Advanced customization

Tailwind CSS CDN Installation (Quick Start)

Step 1: Create an HTML File

Create a file named index.html.

<!doctype html>
<html>
  <head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8" />
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
    <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@tailwindcss/browser@4"></script>
  </head>
  <body>
    <h1 class="text-3xl font-bold underline">
      Welcome to Online Learner
    </h1>
  </body>
</html>

Open this file in your browser to see Tailwind CSS in action.

How to Verify Tailwind CSS is Working

If you see:

Large text
Indigo color
Centered content

Then Tailwind CSS has been successfully loaded via CDN.

Using Tailwind CSS v4.1 with CDN

The CDN always serves the latest stable version, which currently includes Tailwind CSS v4.1. This means you don’t need to specify the version manually for quick testing.

This ensures compatibility with Tailwind Plus components out of the box.

Optional: Custom Tailwind Configuration (CDN Only)

You can define limited customization using a configuration script.

<script>
  tailwind.config = {
    theme: {
      extend: {
        colors: {
          primary: '#0f766e',
        }
      }
    }
  }
</script>

Usage:

<p class="text-primary font-semibold">
  Custom Primary Color
</p>

When Should You Use the CDN Method?

Use the CDN method when:

Learning Tailwind CSS basics
Creating demos or tutorials
Testing UI ideas quickly
Building simple static pages

Avoid CDN for long-term or enterprise projects.

Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is the CDN method in Tailwind CSS?

The CDN method allows developers to use Tailwind CSS directly via a script tag without installing any build tools.

2. Which Tailwind CSS version is currently recommended?

Tailwind CSS v4.1 is the current recommended version.

3. Is Tailwind CSS CDN suitable for production use?

No, it is best suited for learning and small demos only.

4. Can we customize Tailwind CSS when using CDN?

Yes, but customization options are limited compared to npm-based setup.

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