Responsive
Breakpoint
A CSS breakpoint is a point where a website's content and design will adjust to accommodate different screen sizes, resolutions, or orientations. This is a fundamental concept in responsive web design, allowing developers to create flexible and responsive layouts that look great on any device, from mobile phones to desktop monitors.
Breakpoints are defined using media queries in CSS. A media query allows you to apply CSS rules only if certain conditions are met. For example, you might have a set of styles that only apply when the browser window is wider than 768 pixels, which is a common breakpoint for tablets.
Common CSS Breakpoints
In 2025, designers commonly use specific breakpoints for desktop and laptop screens to ensure responsive design across different devices. Here are some common breakpoints and viewport sizes that designers use for mockups:
- 1024px: This breakpoint is often used for small laptops and tablets. It ensures that the layout adapts well for smaller screens while maintaining readability and usability.
- 1280px: This is a common breakpoint for mid-range laptops and desktops. It helps in designing layouts that work well for most standard desktop monitors.
- 1440px: This breakpoint is used for high-resolution laptops and some desktops. It ensures that the design looks sharp and clear on higher-resolution screens.
- 1920px: This is a standard breakpoint for full HD desktop monitors. It is widely used to ensure that the layout looks good on most desktops and laptops with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.
For mockups, designers typically set the DPI to 72 and use the effective resolution for the size class they are targeting. This ensures that the design aligns with the actual display sizes and provides a realistic preview of how the layout will appear on different devices.
Breakpoint Heights
UX designers commonly use specific widths for mockups to ensure designs are responsive and adaptable to various screen sizes. The common breakpoints include 1024px, 1280px, 1440px, and 1920px. For heights, there isn't a standard recommendation, but designs are often created to fit typical screen proportions. For instance, a 1024px width might pair with a height around 768px, while a 1920px width could be complemented by a height of 1080px or higher, reflecting typical device resolutions. These dimensions help designers preview how content will appear across different devices and screen sizes.