Overview
Bulma includes many helper classes for spacing, typography, colors, and more. If you don’t need these helpers or use a different utility system, the no-helpers version can significantly reduce your CSS bundle size.Available Files
The no-helpers version comes in two variants:Standard
bulma-no-helpers.scssIncludes all Bulma features except helper classes, with standard class names.
Prefixed
bulma-no-helpers-prefixed.scssIncludes all Bulma features except helper classes, with the
bulma- prefix for all classes.File Structure
bulma-no-helpers.scss
This file includes:- All utilities
- Both light and dark themes
- Base styles
- All elements
- Form components
- All components
- Grid system
- Layout styles
- Skeleton styles
- No helper classes
bulma-no-helpers-prefixed.scss
Same as above, but with thebulma- prefix for all class names:
Installation
Import the version you need in your SCSS file:Standard (No Helpers)
Prefixed (No Helpers)
Benefits
Reduced File Size
Excluding helper classes significantly reduces the CSS bundle size.
Custom Utilities
Use your own utility system like Tailwind CSS alongside Bulma components.
No Conflicts
Avoid potential conflicts with other utility-first CSS frameworks.
Cleaner Output
Only include the component styles you actually use.
When to Use
Consider using the no-helpers version when:- You’re using another utility-first CSS framework (like Tailwind CSS)
- You have your own custom utility class system
- You want to minimize CSS file size and don’t use Bulma’s helpers
- You prefer component-based styling over utility classes
- You want to avoid CSS bloat from unused helper classes
What You’re Missing
Without helper classes, you won’t have access to:- Spacing helpers (margins, paddings)
- Typography helpers (text alignment, sizes, weights)
- Color helpers (text colors, background colors)
- Display helpers (is-hidden, is-visible)
- Flexbox helpers (is-flex, justify-content, align-items)
- Other utility classes
If you need helper classes, use the standard Bulma version or the no-dark-mode version instead.
Comparison
| Feature | Standard Bulma | No Helpers |
|---|---|---|
| Components | ✓ | ✓ |
| Elements | ✓ | ✓ |
| Themes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Helper classes | ✓ | ✗ |
| File size | Larger | Smaller |
