Your First Tailwind Page
Build a simple hero section using only Tailwind utility classes, getting comfortable with the class-based workflow.
Your First Tailwind Page is a free Tailwind CSS Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 3 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Tailwind CSS Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Planning a Hero Section
A hero section is the first thing visitors see: a headline, subheadline, and a button or two. You will build a full one using only Tailwind utilities.
Setting Up the HTML Shell
Start with an HTML shell and link your compiled CSS. Add min-h-screen so the body fills the viewport and bg-gray-50 for a soft canvas to build on.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<link href="./dist/output.css" rel="stylesheet" />
<title>My First Tailwind Page</title>
</head>
<body class="min-h-screen bg-gray-50">
<!-- content goes here -->
</body>
</html>Creating the Navigation Bar
Build a navbar with flex items-center justify-between to push the logo left and links right. Add bg-white shadow-sm and some padding for a clean, lifted look.
<nav class="bg-white shadow-sm px-8 py-4 flex items-center justify-between">
<span class="text-xl font-bold text-indigo-600">MyBrand</span>
<div class="flex gap-6">
<a href="#" class="text-gray-600 hover:text-indigo-600">Home</a>
<a href="#" class="text-gray-600 hover:text-indigo-600">About</a>
<a href="#" class="text-gray-600 hover:text-indigo-600">Contact</a>
</div>
</nav>Building the Hero Container
Center the hero container with max-w-4xl mx-auto so it stays readable on big screens, then add px-6 py-24 for space and text-center to line everything up.
<section class="px-6 py-24">
<div class="max-w-4xl mx-auto text-center">
<!-- headline, subheadline, buttons -->
</div>
</section>Writing the Headline
Write a bold headline: text-5xl font-extrabold for size and weight, text-gray-900 for strong contrast, and tracking-tight so big letters feel cohesive.
<h1 class="text-5xl font-extrabold text-gray-900 tracking-tight mb-6">
Build beautiful UIs
<span class="text-indigo-600">faster than ever</span>
</h1>Adding the Subheadline
Add a subheadline below it: text-xl text-gray-500 keeps it quiet and supporting, max-w-2xl mx-auto holds a comfy line length, and mb-10 spaces the buttons.
<p class="text-xl text-gray-500 max-w-2xl mx-auto mb-10">
Tailwind CSS lets you design any component directly in your HTML
without writing a single line of custom CSS.
</p>Creating Call-to-Action Buttons
Add two CTA buttons: a filled primary with bg-indigo-600 text-white and an outline secondary. Wrap them in a flex container with a gap to sit side by side.
<div class="flex flex-col sm:flex-row gap-4 justify-center">
<a href="#" class="bg-indigo-600 text-white font-semibold py-3 px-8 rounded-lg hover:bg-indigo-700 transition-colors">
Get Started
</a>
<a href="#" class="border-2 border-indigo-600 text-indigo-600 font-semibold py-3 px-8 rounded-lg hover:bg-indigo-50 transition-colors">
Learn More
</a>
</div>Adding a Background Gradient
Give the hero depth with a gradient. Use bg-gradient-to-* for direction plus from-* and to-* for colors — a soft from-white to-indigo-50 adds a subtle lift.
<section class="bg-gradient-to-b from-white to-indigo-50 px-6 py-24">
<!-- hero content -->
</section>Putting the Hero Together
Here is the full hero with everything combined. Notice the whole design lives in the class names — read them top to bottom and you can picture it exactly.
<section class="bg-gradient-to-b from-white to-indigo-50 px-6 py-24">
<div class="max-w-4xl mx-auto text-center">
<h1 class="text-5xl font-extrabold text-gray-900 tracking-tight mb-6">
Build beautiful UIs
<span class="text-indigo-600">faster than ever</span>
</h1>
<p class="text-xl text-gray-500 max-w-2xl mx-auto mb-10">
Tailwind CSS lets you design any component directly in your HTML.
</p>
<div class="flex flex-col sm:flex-row gap-4 justify-center">
<a href="#" class="bg-indigo-600 text-white font-semibold py-3 px-8 rounded-lg hover:bg-indigo-700 transition-colors">
Get Started
</a>
<a href="#" class="border-2 border-indigo-600 text-indigo-600 font-semibold py-3 px-8 rounded-lg hover:bg-indigo-50 transition-colors">
Learn More
</a>
</div>
</div>
</section>Adding a Features Row
Below the hero, add a features row. Use grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-3 gap-8 so cards stack on mobile and sit side by side on larger screens.
<section class="max-w-5xl mx-auto px-6 py-16">
<div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-3 gap-8">
<div class="text-center p-6">
<div class="text-4xl mb-4">⚡</div>
<h3 class="text-lg font-semibold text-gray-900 mb-2">Fast</h3>
<p class="text-gray-500 text-sm">JIT compilation generates only what you use.</p>
</div>
<!-- repeat for other features -->
</div>
</section>Finishing With a Footer
Finish with a footer: bg-gray-800 text-gray-400 for a dark contrast and text-center py-8 to keep it compact. That is a full page, built only with utilities.
<footer class="bg-gray-800 text-gray-400 text-center py-8">
<p class="text-sm">© 2024 MyBrand. Built with Tailwind CSS.</p>
</footer>Quick Check
Quick check! See how your first page came together. 🎨
Lesson Recap
You built a real page! A hero blends layout, type, and color, gradients use from-* and to-*, and flex and grid handle columns. Next up: Tailwind vs CSS.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Your First Tailwind Page” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Your First Tailwind Page” is free to read here on the web, and the Tailwind CSS Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Tailwind CSS Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Your First Tailwind Page”?
Build a simple hero section using only Tailwind utility classes, getting comfortable with the class-based workflow. You practise Tailwind CSS Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Tailwind CSS Academy?
No prior experience is required. Tailwind CSS Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 3 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Your First Tailwind Page” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Tailwind CSS Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Tailwind CSS Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Utility-First CSS Explained
- Installing and Configuring Tailwind
- Your First Tailwind Page
- Tailwind vs Traditional CSS