CSS !important

The <!important> declaration is one of the most powerful tools in CSS, as it overrides specificity rules. While it can be useful when no other solution is possible, its use carries risks.

What is !important?

The <!important> is a special mark that makes a property value the highest priority. The browser will apply it even if another rule has higher specificity.

The following example shows how to override a paragraph’s color using <!important>.

Where and how should it be used?

The <!important> declaration should be used when there is no other way to enforce a rule, such as when overriding styles from a third-party stylesheet. Excessive use, however, makes maintenance difficult.

Why is excessive use dangerous?

Too many !important declarations can break the stylesheet because it becomes difficult to understand why a rule applies. This often forces you to add even more !important declarations, leading to chaos.

Alternatives to !important

Instead of !important, it is better to rely on CSS specificity rules: use more precise selectors, understand the cascade (inheritance), or place styles in the correct order.

The following example shows how to avoid using !important by relying on specificity:

Tips for using !important

Here are some practical tips on when and how to use <!important> safely:

• Avoid overusing it, as it makes the code harder to follow.
• Use it mainly in exceptional cases, such as overriding external libraries.
• First try applying specificity logic correctly, and only then use <!important> as a last resort.