What’s New in Bootstrap 5: Key Features and Changes (2026)

What’s new in Bootstrap 5? Bootstrap is one of the most popular front-end frameworks for building responsive, mobile-first websites, and version 5 was its biggest change in years. When we first wrote about it, Bootstrap 5 was still in alpha. Today Bootstrap 5.3 is the stable version used by millions of sites. Here are the key Bootstrap 5 features, what changed from Bootstrap 4, and how to start using it.

Quick answer: Bootstrap 5 dropped jQuery and Internet Explorer support, uses vanilla JavaScript, adds CSS custom properties (variables), an xxl grid tier, offcanvas menus, floating form labels, a utilities API, built-in RTL support, and (since 5.3) colour modes for dark mode. Load it from the official CDN or install it with npm.

Key Bootstrap 5 features

1. No more jQuery

All Bootstrap JavaScript components, from dropdowns to modals, now use plain JavaScript. Pages load faster, and you no longer need jQuery unless your own code uses it.

2. No Internet Explorer support

Dropping IE 10 and 11 let Bootstrap use modern CSS such as custom properties and flexbox everywhere, with less legacy code.

3. CSS variables

Colours, spacing and component styles are exposed as CSS custom properties like --bs-primary, so you can change themes without recompiling Sass.

4. Colour modes and dark mode (5.3)

Add data-bs-theme="dark" to the html tag or any element to switch it to dark mode. You can create your own colour modes too.

5. New xxl grid breakpoint

A sixth grid tier for screens 1400px and wider, plus gutter utilities (g-*) to control spacing between columns.

6. Offcanvas component

Slide-in sidebars and menus from any edge of the screen, perfect for mobile navigation. For a simple menu that stays on screen while scrolling, a sticky navbar in pure CSS is often enough.

7. Better forms

Restyled form controls, floating labels and consistent checkboxes, radios and switches across browsers.

8. Utilities API and RTL

Generate your own utility classes with the Sass utilities API, and build right-to-left layouts for Arabic, Hebrew and Urdu with the built-in RTL CSS.

9. Bootstrap Icons

Bootstrap has its own free icon library with over 2,000 SVG icons, though many sites still use Font Awesome icons with Bootstrap.

How to start using Bootstrap 5

1. Add the CSS link from the official getbootstrap.com page (jsDelivr CDN) in your head.
2. Add the JavaScript bundle (which includes Popper) before the closing body tag.
3. Use the starter template and build with the grid, components and utilities.

Choose a fast CDN; see our tests of the fastest CDN for jQuery and Bootstrap, and these tips to load Bootstrap faster.

Upgrading from Bootstrap 4

• Rename data attributes: data-toggle becomes data-bs-toggle.
• Replace .ml-* and .mr-* with .ms-* and .me-* (start/end, for RTL support).
• Replace .form-group with spacing utilities, and custom form classes with the new form classes.
• Remove jQuery-dependent plugin code or rewrite it in vanilla JavaScript.

FAQ

What is the latest Bootstrap version?

Bootstrap 5.3.x is the current stable series. Check getbootstrap.com for the newest release.

Does Bootstrap 5 need jQuery?

No. Bootstrap 5 runs on plain JavaScript.

Is Bootstrap still worth learning?

Yes, for quick, responsive layouts and admin panels. Utility-first frameworks like Tailwind are popular alternatives.

Are you using Bootstrap 5 on your site? Share your tips in the comments.