The Cascade Is a Debugging System
Use source order, specificity, and inheritance to explain why a CSS rule wins.
The cascade is not chaos; it is the browser's conflict-resolution algorithm. The three checks When CSS surprises you, ask three questions. First: did a later rule with the same weight override an earlier one? That is source order. Second: did a more specific selector beat a simpler selector? That is specificity. Third: is the value coming from a parent because the property inherits? That is inheritance. Why beginners get trapped The fast fix is often to add a longer selector or !important. That works in the same way blocking a door with a chair works: it solves the next minute…
Sign up free — one personalized lesson every day, matched to your role and goals.
Already have an account? Sign in