\nThis can contribute around 50-100 KB (or more) of unused CSS being shipped unnecessarily, especially for sites that rely on custom editors or builders.\n<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/a-close-up-of-a-keyboard-wordpress-admin-dashboard-gutenberg-editor-css-files.jpg\")
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When Should You Remove Gutenberg CSS?<\/h2>\n
\nNot every site should remove Gutenberg CSS, and doing so improperly can break layouts. Here’s when it makes sense<\/strong> to remove it:\n<\/p>\n \nHowever, if your theme or plugins use Gutenberg blocks (even for headers, footers, or widgets), removing these styles can break design or layout elements.\n<\/p>\n \nTo determine whether Gutenberg CSS is loading, inspect your site’s front end:\n<\/p>\n \nIf you find them, you\u2019re almost certainly loading unnecessary CSS \u2014 unless you\u2019re using blocks somewhere on the page.\n<\/p>\n \nTo remove these styles globally \u2014 and safely \u2014 you’ll need to conditionally deregister them using WordPress hooks like \nThis function checks if the current request is for the front end (not admin area) and removes the queued Gutenberg CSS styles.\n<\/p>\n \nInstead of editing your theme files, you can package the same code in a plugin for easier maintenance. Here’s how:\n<\/p>\n \nAfter making any change to CSS enqueuing or dequeuing, clear your cache and test your entire site<\/strong>:\n<\/p>\n \nIf something breaks, undo the change or re-enable one or more of the dequeued styles.\n<\/p>\n \nSometimes only specific post types or templates use Gutenberg blocks. In such cases, you can apply conditional logic:\n<\/p>\n \nThis example ignores block CSS unless the user is on a single blog post.\n<\/p>\n \nAnother non-coding option is to use an asset manager plugin. These allow you to selectively unload Gutenberg CSS per page or per post basis. Recommended plugins include:\n<\/p>\n \nThese plugins are ideal for non-developers or those running complex sites where CSS needs vary between pages.\n<\/p>\n \nWhile it’s beneficial to remove unused CSS, it’s just as easy to go overboard. If you’re not absolutely sure that block styles aren\u2019t required, take a cautious approach. Common pitfalls include:\n<\/p>\n\n
How to Identify Gutenberg CSS on Your Site<\/h2>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/savethevideo.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/icon-browser-dev-tools-css-files-wordpress-page-source.jpg\"){kind=icon}
\nSafely Removing Gutenberg CSS: The Right Way<\/h2>\n
wp_dequeue_style<\/code> or wp_deregister_style<\/code>. Below is how you can do that efficiently.\n<\/p>\nAdd This Snippet to Your Theme\u2019s functions.php<\/h3>\n
\nfunction remove_gutenberg_css() {\n if (!is_admin()) {\n wp_dequeue_style('wp-block-library');\n wp_dequeue_style('wp-block-library-theme');\n wp_dequeue_style('global-styles');\n }\n}\nadd_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'remove_gutenberg_css', 100);\n<\/code><\/pre>\nAlternative: Create a Custom Plugin<\/h3>\n
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\/wp-content\/plugins\/<\/code> and name it remove-gutenberg-css<\/code>.<\/li>\nremove-gutenberg-css.php<\/code>.<\/li>\n\n<?php\n\/*\nPlugin Name: Remove Gutenberg CSS\nDescription: Deregister Gutenberg block library CSS.\nVersion: 1.0\n*\/\n\nfunction remove_gutenberg_css_files() {\n if (!is_admin()) {\n wp_dequeue_style('wp-block-library');\n wp_dequeue_style('wp-block-library-theme');\n wp_dequeue_style('global-styles');\n }\n}\nadd_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'remove_gutenberg_css_files', 100);\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<\/li>\nMake Sure You Test!<\/h2>\n
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Use Conditional Logic if Needed<\/h2>\n
\nfunction remove_gutenberg_styles_conditionally() {\n if (!is_admin() && !is_singular('post')) {\n wp_dequeue_style('wp-block-library');\n wp_dequeue_style('wp-block-library-theme');\n wp_dequeue_style('global-styles');\n }\n}\nadd_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'remove_gutenberg_styles_conditionally', 100);\n<\/code><\/pre>\nAdvanced: Unloading Gutenberg CSS via Asset Managers<\/h2>\n
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Cautions and Common Mistakes<\/h2>\n