afv-library/skills/applying-slds/references/utilities-quick-ref.md
2026-06-12 10:55:46 +00:00

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Utilities Quick Reference

SLDS utility classes for rapid styling. 1,147 classes across 27 categories.


When to Use Utilities vs. Hooks

Need Use utility class Use hook
Margin/padding slds-m-bottom_medium, slds-p-around_small var(--slds-g-spacing-4) in custom CSS
Grid layout slds-grid, slds-col, slds-size_* --
Visibility slds-hide, slds-show_* --
Text styling slds-text-heading_medium var(--slds-g-font-*)
Borders slds-border_bottom var(--slds-g-color-border-*)
Colors slds-theme_* var(--slds-g-color-*)

Prefer utility classes for layout and spacing in markup. Use hooks in custom CSS for colors, typography values, and dynamic theming.


Most-Used Categories

Grid (slds-grid, 80 classes)

<div class="slds-grid slds-wrap slds-gutters">
  <div class="slds-col slds-size_1-of-1 slds-medium-size_1-of-2 slds-large-size_1-of-3">
    <!-- Column content -->
  </div>
</div>

Key classes:

  • slds-grid -- flex container
  • slds-wrap -- allow wrapping
  • slds-gutters -- column spacing
  • slds-col -- flex column
  • slds-size_1-of-N -- fractional width (1-of-1 through 1-of-12)
  • slds-medium-size_*, slds-large-size_* -- responsive breakpoints
  • slds-grid_vertical -- column direction
  • slds-grid_align-center -- center alignment

Margin (slds-m-*, 119 classes)

Pattern: slds-m-{direction}_{size}

Direction Class pattern
All slds-m-around_*
Top slds-m-top_*
Bottom slds-m-bottom_*
Left slds-m-left_*
Right slds-m-right_*
Vertical slds-m-vertical_*
Horizontal slds-m-horizontal_*

Sizes: none, xxx-small, xx-small, x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large

Padding (slds-p-*, 120 classes)

Same pattern as margin: slds-p-{direction}_{size}

Sizing (slds-size_*, 613 classes)

Fractional widths for columns and elements:

  • slds-size_1-of-2 -- 50%
  • slds-size_1-of-3 -- 33.3%
  • slds-size_2-of-3 -- 66.6%
  • slds-size_1-of-4 -- 25%
  • slds-size_full -- 100%

Responsive: slds-small-size_*, slds-medium-size_*, slds-large-size_*

Typography (slds-text-*, 24 classes)

  • slds-text-heading_large -- large heading
  • slds-text-heading_medium -- medium heading
  • slds-text-heading_small -- small heading
  • slds-text-body_regular -- body text
  • slds-text-body_small -- small body text
  • slds-text-title -- uppercase label
  • slds-text-color_default -- default text color
  • slds-text-color_weak -- secondary text color

Visibility

  • slds-hide -- hide element (display: none)
  • slds-show -- show element (display: block)
  • slds-show_inline -- show inline
  • slds-hidden -- hidden via visibility: hidden; occupies space and is not a screen-reader helper
  • slds-assistive-text -- screen-reader only text

Use slds-assistive-text, not slds-hidden, when content should remain available to assistive technology.

Truncation

  • slds-truncate -- single-line truncation with ellipsis
  • slds-line-clamp_* -- multi-line truncation (2, 3, 4, 5 lines)

# Browse all categories
node scripts/search-utilities.cjs --category "all"

# Browse a specific category
node scripts/search-utilities.cjs --category "grid"

# Search by class name
node scripts/search-utilities.cjs --search "slds-m-bottom"

# Wildcard pattern
node scripts/search-utilities.cjs --pattern "slds-p-around_*"

Deep Reference

  • Utility index: guidance/utilities/index.md
  • Individual category guides: guidance/utilities/{category}.md
  • Full metadata (1,147 classes): metadata/utilities-index.json