Full Stack 22:402025-04-10

Tailwind CSS v4: What's New and How to Migrate

Tailwind v4 drops the config file, uses CSS variables natively, and has a new engine. Here's what changed, what stayed the same, and how to upgrade your existing projects.

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Video Notes & Code

Key takeaways, code snippets, and resources from this video.

CSS-Based Configuration

In v4, your tailwind config moves into CSS. No more tailwind.config.js — just @import "tailwindcss" and custom CSS variables.

css
@import "tailwindcss";

@theme {
  --color-primary: #7C3AED;
  --color-accent: #00D4FF;
  --font-display: "Syne", sans-serif;
  --font-sans: "DM Sans", sans-serif;
}

New Utility Syntax

html
<!-- v3 (old) -->
<div class="bg-purple-700 text-white">

<!-- v4 — use CSS variable directly -->
<div class="bg-(--color-primary) text-white">

<!-- Arbitrary values still work -->
<div class="bg-[#7C3AED] mt-[calc(100vh-4rem)]">

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