Introduction
Picture this: You’re building a testimonial page for a client. The quotes look bland and forgettable. Your design needs personality and visual polish. Every website uses quotes—from customer testimonials to article excerpts. Yet most developers struggle to make them stand out effectively.
The solution lies in mastering CSS techniques for quotation styling. This includes the native CSS quotes property, sophisticated blockquote element designs, and creative visual treatments. You can transform plain text into eye-catching, professional quote displays.
This comprehensive guide covers everything from basic syntax to advanced techniques. You’ll learn how to implement the quotes property with quotation marks that adapt automatically. We’ll explore block quote styling methods using borders, pseudo-elements, and typography. Finally, you’ll discover creative quote style implementations including pull quotes, animations, and interactive effects.
Whether you’re a beginner learning CSS fundamentals or an experienced developer seeking fresh ideas, you’ll find practical, copy-paste solutions. Each technique includes complete HTML and working code examples. Let’s dive into the art of styling quotes beautifully.
The CSS Quotes Property: Fundamentals and Syntax
The CSS quotes property controls which quotation marks appear around inline quoted text. It works specifically with the HTML <q> element to generate appropriate marks automatically. This property defines pairs of opening quotes and closing quotes for different nesting levels.
Here’s the basic syntax structure:
blockquote {
quotes: """ """ "'" "'";
}The CSS quotes property accepts pairs of strings. The first pair defines first-level quote marks. The second pair handles nested quotes. You can specify multiple levels by adding more pairs.
Let’s see a practical example with HTML:
<q>This is a first-level quote with <q>a nested quote inside</q> it.</q>q {
quotes: "«" "»" "‹" "›";
}
q::before {
content: open-quote;
}
q::after {
content: close-quote;
}This code creates guillemet-style marks automatically. The open-quote value inserts the appropriate opening character. The close-quote value adds the matching closing character. The browser tracks nesting levels intelligently.
The content property works together with the CSS quotes property. It uses special keywords to insert the defined marks. Without defining content: open-quote, the quotation marks won’t appear visually.
You can also use the auto value to apply language-specific defaults:
q {
quotes: auto;
}The auto value respects the document’s language settings. It applies culturally appropriate quotation marks automatically. This approach works well for multilingual websites.
Need to remove quote marks entirely? Use the none value:
q {
quotes: none;
}The none value prevents any marks from appearing. This proves useful when you’re adding custom decorative elements instead.
Browser support for the CSS quotes property is excellent in 2026. All modern browsers handle it consistently. Legacy support extends back to Internet Explorer 8. You can use this feature confidently in production environments.
How to Style Blockquotes: From Basic to Beautiful
The blockquote element differs significantly from inline <q> tags. A blockquote represents standalone quoted material, typically displayed as a block. While <q> adds quotation marks automatically, styling blockquotes requires manual CSS design.
Let’s start with basic blockquote element formatting:
<blockquote>
<p>The best way to predict the future is to create it.</p>
</blockquote>blockquote {
margin: 2rem 0;
padding: 1.5rem;
background-color: #f5f5f5;
border-radius: 8px;
font-style: italic;
}This creates a subtle, readable quote style. The padding adds breathing room. The background provides visual separation from surrounding content. Typography adjustments enhance the quoted nature.
The border-left technique offers another popular approach:
blockquote {
margin: 2rem 0;
padding-left: 2rem;
border-left: 4px solid #2c3e50;
font-size: 1.125rem;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #555;
}This border creates a strong vertical accent. It draws the eye immediately to quoted content. The left padding prevents text from touching the border directly.
Now let’s add decorative quote marks using the ::before pseudo-element:
blockquote {
position: relative;
margin: 2rem 0;
padding: 2rem 2rem 2rem 4rem;
font-style: italic;
font-size: 1.25rem;
}
blockquote::before {
content: """;
position: absolute;
left: 0.5rem;
top: 0;
font-size: 4rem;
color: #3498db;
line-height: 1;
font-family: Georgia, serif;
}The ::before pseudo-element inserts a large decorative mark. Absolute positioning places it precisely where needed. This technique creates a classic, elegant appearance.
You can enhance typography further with font-size and line-height adjustments:
blockquote {
margin: 3rem auto;
max-width: 700px;
padding: 2rem;
font-family: 'Georgia', serif;
font-size: 1.375rem;
line-height: 1.8;
text-align: center;
color: #2c3e50;
}
blockquote p {
margin: 0;
}This centered approach works beautifully for testimonials. The typography choices emphasize readability and elegance. Generous line-height prevents text from feeling cramped.
Here’s a more sophisticated example combining multiple techniques:
<blockquote>
<p>Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.</p>
</blockquote>blockquote {
position: relative;
margin: 3rem 0;
padding: 2.5rem 2rem 2rem 5rem;
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
color: white;
border-radius: 12px;
font-size: 1.25rem;
line-height: 1.7;
}
blockquote::before {
content: """;
position: absolute;
left: 1rem;
top: 0.5rem;
font-size: 5rem;
opacity: 0.3;
font-weight: bold;
}This creates a visually striking quote style with gradient backgrounds. The semi-transparent quote mark adds depth without overwhelming text. Border-radius softens edges for a modern feel.
Creative CSS Quote Designs and Effects
Pull Quotes and Visual Highlights
Pull quotes are excerpted statements designed to capture attention within articles. They emphasize key points and break up long text blocks. These elements typically float beside main content or span multiple columns.
Here’s an effective pull quotes implementation:
<aside class="pull-quote">
Great design is invisible until it's missing.
</aside>.pull-quote {
float: right;
width: 40%;
margin: 0 0 1.5rem 2rem;
padding: 1.5rem;
border-top: 3px solid #e74c3c;
border-bottom: 3px solid #e74c3c;
font-size: 1.5rem;
font-weight: 600;
line-height: 1.4;
color: #e74c3c;
text-align: center;
}This design floats the quote to the right side. The double border creates a contained, highlighted appearance. Bold typography ensures readability even at a glance.
Here’s a centered pull quotes variation:
.pull-quote {
margin: 3rem auto;
max-width: 600px;
padding: 2rem 4rem;
position: relative;
text-align: center;
font-size: 1.75rem;
font-weight: 300;
letter-spacing: -0.5px;
}
.pull-quote::before,
.pull-quote::after {
content: "❝";
position: absolute;
font-size: 3rem;
color: #95a5a6;
opacity: 0.4;
}
.pull-quote::before {
left: 0;
top: 0.5rem;
}
.pull-quote::after {
content: "❞";
right: 0;
bottom: 0.5rem;
}This uses both ::before and ::after for balanced quote marks. The decorative marks frame the text symmetrically.
Nested Quotes and Multi-Level Styling
Nested quotes require careful attention to maintain clarity. The CSS quotes property handles nesting automatically when configured correctly:
<blockquote>
<p>She said, <q>I remember when he told me, <q>Never give up.</q></q></p>
</blockquote>q {
quotes: """ """ "'" "'";
}
q::before {
content: open-quote;
}
q::after {
content: close-quote;
}The browser automatically selects appropriate marks for each nesting level. First-level quotes receive double marks. Second-level quotes use single marks automatically.
For styling nested blockquotes differently:
blockquote {
margin: 2rem 0;
padding-left: 2rem;
border-left: 4px solid #3498db;
color: #555;
}
blockquote blockquote {
margin: 1rem 0;
padding-left: 1.5rem;
border-left: 3px solid #95a5a6;
color: #777;
font-size: 0.95em;
}This creates a visual hierarchy for nested quotes. The inner blockquote appears slightly smaller and lighter.
Animated and Interactive Quote Styles
Animation adds engaging polish to quote displays. Simple hover effects can enhance user interaction significantly:
blockquote {
margin: 2rem 0;
padding: 2rem;
border-left: 4px solid #3498db;
background-color: #ecf0f1;
transition: all 0.3s ease;
cursor: pointer;
}
blockquote:hover {
border-left-width: 8px;
background-color: #d5dbdb;
transform: translateX(10px);
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}These hover effects create subtle movement and depth. The border expands while the element shifts slightly. The animation value ensures smooth transitions.
Here’s a more elaborate example with animated quote marks:
blockquote {
position: relative;
margin: 3rem 0;
padding: 2rem 2rem 2rem 4rem;
font-size: 1.25rem;
}
blockquote::before {
content: """;
position: absolute;
left: 0.5rem;
top: 0;
font-size: 4rem;
color: #3498db;
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(20px);
transition: all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.68, -0.55, 0.265, 1.55);
}
blockquote:hover::before {
opacity: 1;
transform: translateY(0);
}The quote mark animates into view on hover. The cubic-bezier timing creates a playful bounce effect.
For projects using SCSS, here’s a sophisticated approach:
blockquote {
position: relative;
margin: 2rem 0;
padding: 2rem;
&::before {
content: """;
position: absolute;
font-size: 5rem;
opacity: 0.2;
animation: fadeIn 0.8s ease;
}
&:hover {
.quote-author {
color: #3498db;
transform: translateX(10px);
}
}
}
.quote-author {
display: block;
margin-top: 1rem;
font-style: italic;
color: #7f8c8d;
transition: all 0.3s ease;
}
@keyframes fadeIn {
from {
opacity: 0;
transform: scale(0.8);
}
to {
opacity: 0.2;
transform: scale(1);
}
}SCSS nesting keeps related styles organized. The animation brings creative quotes to life with smooth scaling.
Another SCSS technique for multiple quote variations:
@mixin quote-style($color, $border-width) {
border-left: $border-width solid $color;
&::before {
color: $color;
}
}
.quote-blue {
@include quote-style(#3498db, 4px);
}
.quote-red {
@include quote-style(#e74c3c, 4px);
}
.quote-green {
@include quote-style(#2ecc71, 4px);
}This SCSS mixin enables rapid creation of themed quote styles. You can maintain consistency across color variations effortlessly.
Copy-Paste CSS Quote Style Examples
Example 1: Classic Bordered Blockquote with Large Quote Marks
This traditional design works perfectly for formal content:
<blockquote class="classic-quote">
<p>Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.</p>
<cite>— Steve Jobs</cite>
</blockquote>.classic-quote {
position: relative;
margin: 3rem auto;
max-width: 700px;
padding: 2.5rem 2rem 2rem 5rem;
border: 2px solid #34495e;
border-radius: 8px;
background-color: #f8f9fa;
font-family: 'Georgia', serif;
font-size: 1.25rem;
line-height: 1.7;
color: #2c3e50;
}
.classic-quote::before {
content: """;
position: absolute;
left: 1rem;
top: 0.5rem;
font-size: 6rem;
line-height: 1;
color: #3498db;
opacity: 0.5;
font-family: 'Georgia', serif;
}
.classic-quote p {
margin: 0 0 1rem 0;
}
.classic-quote cite {
display: block;
font-size: 1rem;
font-style: italic;
color: #7f8c8d;
text-align: right;
}The cite element provides semantic attribution. The large opening quotes create immediate visual impact. Border and background work together for containment. This design has excellent browser support across all modern platforms.
Example 2: Modern Card-Style Quote with Gradient Effects
This contemporary design suits creative portfolios and modern websites:
<blockquote class="modern-quote">
<p>The only way to do great work is to love what you do.</p>
<footer>
<cite class="citation-author">Steve Jobs</cite>
</footer>
</blockquote>.modern-quote {
position: relative;
margin: 3rem auto;
max-width: 650px;
padding: 3rem 2.5rem 2.5rem;
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
border-radius: 16px;
box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
color: white;
overflow: hidden;
}
.modern-quote::before {
content: """;
position: absolute;
right: 1rem;
top: -1rem;
font-size: 10rem;
line-height: 1;
opacity: 0.15;
font-weight: bold;
}
.modern-quote p {
margin: 0;
font-size: 1.5rem;
line-height: 1.6;
font-weight: 300;
position: relative;
z-index: 1;
}
.modern-quote footer {
margin-top: 1.5rem;
padding-top: 1rem;
border-top: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
}
.citation-author {
font-style: normal;
font-size: 1rem;
opacity: 0.9;
}This quote style uses gradients for visual depth. The oversized quote mark adds subtle texture. The citation receives clear separation through the border technique.
Example 3: Minimal Quote with Animated Hover State
Perfect for blogs and content-focused sites:
<blockquote class="minimal-quote">
<p>Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.</p>
<cite>Leonardo da Vinci</cite>
</blockquote>.minimal-quote {
position: relative;
margin: 3rem 0;
padding: 1.5rem 0 1.5rem 3rem;
border-left: 3px solid #95a5a6;
font-size: 1.25rem;
line-height: 1.7;
color: #2c3e50;
transition: all 0.4s ease;
}
.minimal-quote::before {
content: open-quote;
position: absolute;
left: 0.5rem;
top: 0.5rem;
font-size: 2.5rem;
color: #3498db;
opacity: 0;
transform: translateX(-10px);
transition: all 0.4s ease;
}
.minimal-quote:hover {
border-left-color: #3498db;
padding-left: 3.5rem;
}
.minimal-quote:hover::before {
opacity: 1;
transform: translateX(0);
}
.minimal-quote p {
margin: 0 0 0.75rem 0;
}
.minimal-quote cite {
display: block;
font-size: 0.95rem;
font-style: italic;
color: #7f8c8d;
}These hover effects add interactivity without overwhelming content. The animated quote mark appears smoothly. The border color shift provides subtle feedback.
Example 4: Citation-Focused Quote with Proper Semantic HTML
This example emphasizes attribution with full semantic markup:
<figure class="citation-quote">
<blockquote>
<p>The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.</p>
</blockquote>
<figcaption>
<cite class="cite-element">
<span class="author">Eleanor Roosevelt</span>
<span class="source">You Learn by Living, 1960</span>
</cite>
</figcaption>
</figure>.citation-quote {
margin: 3rem auto;
max-width: 700px;
padding: 0;
font-family: 'Georgia', serif;
}
.citation-quote blockquote {
margin: 0;
padding: 2rem 2rem 1.5rem;
background-color: #ecf0f1;
border-radius: 8px 8px 0 0;
font-size: 1.375rem;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #2c3e50;
position: relative;
}
.citation-quote blockquote::before {
content: """;
font-size: 3rem;
color: #3498db;
opacity: 0.3;
position: absolute;
left: 0.5rem;
top: 0;
}
.citation-quote blockquote p {
margin: 0;
font-style: italic;
}
.citation-quote figcaption {
padding: 1.25rem 2rem;
background-color: #d5dbdb;
border-radius: 0 0 8px 8px;
}
.cite-element {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 0.25rem;
font-style: normal;
}
.author {
font-weight: 600;
color: #2c3e50;
font-size: 1rem;
}
.source {
font-size: 0.875rem;
color: #7f8c8d;
}This structure uses proper HTML5 semantic elements. The <figure> wraps related content together. The cite element contains both author and source information. The citation styling creates clear visual hierarchy. This approach enhances accessibility and SEO simultaneously.
The auto value for the content property would work here too:
.citation-quote blockquote::before {
content: open-quote;
quotes: auto;
}Though we’re using a literal character for precise control.
CSS Quote Styling: Best Practices and Common Issues
Semantic HTML forms the foundation of proper quote implementation. Always use the blockquote element for block-level quotations. Reserve generic <div> elements for purely decorative containers. Search engines understand blockquote semantics and weight the content appropriately.
The <q> element suits inline quotations within paragraphs. It adds quotation marks automatically when combined with the CSS quotes property. Don’t use styled <span> elements as substitutes—they lack semantic meaning.
Accessibility considerations matter significantly for styled quotes. Screen readers announce blockquote elements distinctly. They inform users that quoted content begins and ends. Ensure your CSS styling doesn’t override this native behavior.
Color contrast requires careful attention. WCAG guidelines recommend a 4.5:1 ratio for body text. Decorative quote marks can use lighter colors since they’re supplementary. Always test your designs with contrast checking tools.
Common rendering issues appear in older browser versions. The CSS quotes property occasionally fails in Internet Explorer. Provide fallback styling using explicit quote characters:
blockquote::before {
content: """; /* Explicit fallback */
/* content: open-quote; */ /* Preferred method */
}Quote mark positioning problems often stem from font metrics. Different typefaces render quotation marks at varying sizes. Test your design with multiple font stacks to ensure consistency.
blockquote::before {
font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;
/* Serif fonts typically have better quote marks */
}Images versus CSS for quote styling presents an interesting decision. CSS offers several advantages: scalability, performance, and maintenance ease. However, highly custom designs sometimes require image assets.
Use CSS for standard quote marks and geometric shapes. Consider SVG (embedded via CSS) for complex decorative elements. Avoid raster images entirely—they don’t scale properly.
blockquote::before {
content: url('data:image/svg+xml,...');
/* SVG provides perfect scaling */
}Responsive design affects quote styling significantly. Large decorative marks may overwhelm small screens. Adjust font sizes and padding using media queries:
blockquote::before {
font-size: 4rem;
}
@media (max-width: 768px) {
blockquote::before {
font-size: 2.5rem;
}
}The none value proves useful when removing default styling. Some CSS resets apply unwanted quote properties. Override them explicitly:
blockquote {
quotes: none;
}
blockquote::before,
blockquote::after {
content: none;
}Performance considerations rarely affect quote styling. Pseudo-elements render efficiently. Avoid excessive animations on multiple blockquote instances. Limit complex gradients and shadows to hero quotes.
Print styles deserve attention for quotation-heavy content. Many quote styles rely on color and backgrounds. These elements often disappear in print:
@media print {
blockquote {
border: 2px solid black;
background: none;
color: black;
}
}Testing across browsers remains essential. Modern browsers handle the CSS quotes property consistently. However, subtle rendering differences appear in font rendering and line-height calculations. Check your designs in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Conclusion
You’ve now mastered comprehensive techniques for styling quotes with CSS. We explored the foundational CSS quotes property with its open-quote and close-quote values. You learned multiple approaches for styling blockquotes, from subtle borders to bold gradient designs.
The examples provided cover diverse use cases. Classic bordered styles suit professional content. Modern card designs work beautifully for testimonials and portfolios. Minimal animated styles enhance blogs and editorial layouts. Each example uses semantic HTML and production-ready CSS you can implement immediately.
Remember that quote styling serves the content. Choose designs that enhance readability rather than distract. Maintain appropriate contrast, respect semantic markup, and test across devices.
Your next steps might include exploring responsive typography for quotes. Consider implementing CSS custom properties for easy theme switching. Experiment with CSS Grid for complex pull quotes layouts. The techniques you’ve learned form a solid foundation.
Take these code examples and make them your own. Adjust colors, spacing, and typography to match your projects. Share your creative quotes implementations with the design community. Great quote styling elevates content and creates memorable reading experiences.