How to Style Gutenberg Blocks Using SCSS/CSS

Nov 28, 2025 |

10 minutes read

Styling Core and Custom Blocks with SCSS

The Gutenberg block editor has completely reshaped how WordPress sites are built and managed. Instead of relying on shortcodes or rigid page templates, Gutenberg introduces a flexible, block-based system that allows creators to design rich layouts visually. Each piece of content—headings, images, buttons, columns, embeds—exists as an individual block that can be styled, repositioned, or customized independently.

That’s where SCSS/CSS becomes a game-changer. SCSS (Sass) extends standard CSS with variables, mixins, nesting, and reusable patterns that make styling Gutenberg blocks more efficient and scalable. Instead of writing repetitive CSS or wrestling with long selector chains, developers can use SCSS to keep their code clean, organized, and easier to maintain as the site grows.

This guide dives deep into how Gutenberg loads styles, how block-specific styles work, and how to set up a structured SCSS workflow for both core and custom blocks. We’ll explore best practices, common pitfalls, and practical examples that help you build polished, responsive block designs. Whether you’re a theme developer aiming for better design consistency or a beginner learning to style blocks with confidence, understanding how to combine SCSS with Gutenberg is an essential step toward mastering modern WordPress development.

Why Style Gutenberg Blocks Using SCSS?

While CSS is perfectly capable of styling Gutenberg blocks, SCSS offers several advantages that elevate your workflow:

Cleaner Code Structure
SCSS allows you to use variables, mixins, nesting, and partials, making your styles easier to maintain.
Faster Development Workflow
SCSS helps streamline your workflow by enabling reusable code with variables, mixins, and nesting. This reduces duplication and speeds up development, especially in larger projects.
Better File Organization
Separate SCSS files for each block keep everything tidy and scalable.
Minimizes CSS Conflicts
SCSS file structure makes it easier to scope styles and prevent global overrides.

If you are building a custom block or extending a theme, SCSS is a powerful way to streamline Gutenberg styling.

Understanding How Gutenberg Loads Styles

Before writing custom styles, you need to know how WordPress handles block-specific CSS. Gutenberg loads styles in two places:

1. Editor Styles (backend)

These styles control how the block looks inside the Gutenberg editor.

Frontend Styles
- These are styles applied when the page or post is viewed on the website.
- To keep a consistent appearance, you should load styles in both environments.

2. Setting Up SCSS for Your Theme or Plugin

If you haven’t configured SCSS yet, here’s a simple workflow:

Folder Structure Example

Compile SCSS → CSS Using a Preprocessor

You can use tools like:

Node Sass
Dart Sass
Gulp
Webpack
VS Code Extensions

Once compiled, enqueue the CSS file in WordPress.

3. Enqueueing Block Styles

Enqueue Frontend Styles
Enqueue Editor Styles

This ensures your SCSS-generated CSS applies across both editor and frontend.

4. Styling Gutenberg Core Blocks Using SCSS

Here’s how to style common default blocks.

Styling Paragraph Block:
- SCSS:
This improves readability and sculpts typography directly for paragraph blocks.
Styling Heading Block:
The nesting makes it easy to handle alignment classes Gutenberg automatically adds.
Styling Buttons Block:
Gutenberg’s button block is one of the most common elements website owners want to style — SCSS makes this elegant and maintainable.

5. Styling Custom Gutenberg Blocks with SCSS

If you’re creating custom blocks using block.json, SCSS will help you organize editor and frontend styles separately.

Create SCSS File for Your Block
- Example: /scss/blocks/_team.scss
Use Specific Block Wrapper Class
- Custom blocks usually output a wrapper like:
  <div class=”mytheme-team-block”>
  <h3>John Doe</h3>
  </div>

SCSS Example

This ensures your styles never conflict with other global elements.

6. Loading Styles Using block.json

For custom blocks, WordPress supports automatic style loading.

Block.json
Compile SCSS to both files:
- team.scss → team.css
- team-editor.scss → team-editor.css
This is the cleanest way to style custom Gutenberg blocks.

7. Best Practices for Styling Gutenberg Blocks with SCSS

Use Block-Specific Namespaces
Prefix all classes to avoid conflicts
- .mytheme-hero-block
- .mytheme-card-block
Avoid Overriding Core Editor Classes
- Directly editing Gutenberg classes often creates future update conflicts.
Keep Editor & Frontend Styles Consistent
- If your block looks different in the backend, users get confused while designing.
Create Reusable Variables
- $primary-color: #005af0;
- $border-radius: 8px;
Use them across multiple block styles.

8. Advanced SCSS Techniques for Gutenberg

A. SCSS Mixins for Responsive Styling:


@mixin responsive-text($size-sm, $size-lg) { 
  		font-size: $size-sm; 
  		@media (min-width: 768px) { 
   	 		font-size: $size-lg; 
 	 	} 
} 
 
.wp-block-heading { 
  		@include responsive-text(20px, 32px); 
}

B. Use CSS Grid for Layout Blocks:


.mytheme-grid-block { 
  		display: grid; 
  		grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); 
  		gap: 20px; 
}

C. Add Animations:


.mytheme-fade-in { 
opacity: 0; 
  	animation: fadeIn 1s ease forwards; 
} 
 
@keyframes fadeIn { 
 	to { opacity: 1; } 
}

Animations make blocks more interactive and visually appealing.

9. Enhancing Gutenberg Styling with Theme.json

If you’re working with a block theme, theme.json can complement your SCSS.

It allows you to:

Control block spacing defaults
Force consistent font sizes
Apply padding and margin presets
Change color palettes
Disable unwanted block features

Example:

When combined with SCSS, theme.json creates a powerful styling ecosystem that is both scalable and easy for content editors to use.

10. Adding Interactivity with SCSS + JavaScript

You can take block styling beyond basic visuals by pairing SCSS with small JavaScript enhancements:

Examples:

Scroll animations
Button hover ripple effects
Tabs or accordions
Sliders and carousels
Sticky elements inside custom blocks

For example, animate elements when they appear in the viewport:


.mytheme-fade-in { 
opacity: 0; 
  	animation: fadeIn 1s ease forwards; 
} 
 
@keyframes fadeIn { 
 	to { opacity: 1; } 
}

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The Way Forward

Styling Gutenberg blocks with SCSS/CSS gives you unmatched flexibility and control over your WordPress site’s design. SCSS enhances workflow efficiency, keeps your styles clean and organized, and makes it easier to scale your project with reusable components. Whether you’re enhancing core blocks or building custom ones, SCSS empowers you to create beautiful, responsive, consistent block designs that feel professional and polished.

Mastering SCSS for Gutenberg is more than just a skill—it’s an essential part of modern WordPress development.