A media query consists of an optional media type and zero or more expressions that limit the style sheets’ scope by using media features, such as width, height, and color. Media queries, added in CSS3, let the presentation of content be tailored to a specific range of output devices without having to change the content itself.

Syntax

<!-- CSS media query on a link element -->
<link rel="stylesheet" media="(max-width: 800px)" href="example.css" />

<!-- CSS media query within a stylesheet -->
<style>
@media (max-width: 600px) {
  .facet_sidebar {
    display: none;
  }
}
</style>

When a media query is true, the corresponding style sheet or style rules are applied, following the normal cascading rules. Style sheets with media queries attached to their tags will still download even if their media queries would return false (they will not apply, however).

Unless you use the not or only operators, the media type is optional and the all type will be implied.

Logical operators

You can compose complex media queries using logical operators, including not, and, and only. The and operator is used for combining multiple media features together into a single media query, requiring each chained feature to return true in order for the query to be true. The not operator is used to negate an entire media query. The only operator is used to apply a style only if the entire query matches, useful for preventing older browsers from applying selected styles. If you use the not or only operators, you must specify an explicit media type.

You can also combine multiple media queries in a comma-separated list; if any of the media queries in the list is true, the entire media statement returns true. This is equivalent to an or operator.

The and keyword is used for combining multiple media features together, as well as combining media features with media types. A basic media query, a single media feature with the implied all media type, could look like this:

@media (min-width: 700px) { ... }

@media (min-width: 700px) and (orientation: landscape) { ... }

@media tv and (min-width: 700px) and (orientation: landscape) { ...  }

Now, the above media query will only apply if the media type is TV, the viewport is 700px wide or wider, and the display is in landscape.