Learn Elm-ui - 9 Code Examples & CST Typing Practice Test
Elm UI is a library for building web interfaces in Elm, focusing on layout and styling in a declarative, type-safe way without relying on CSS.
Learn ELM-UI with Real Code Examples
Updated Nov 25, 2025
Architecture
UI is composed of nested Boxes
Boxes define layout, alignment, padding, and spacing
Styles are applied as Elm records
Components can be composed from smaller boxes
No separate HTML or CSS files required
Rendering Model
Elm compiler generates HTML/CSS
Element boxes define layout
Nested elements compose complex UIs
Attributes and styling applied via Elm records
Responsive adjustments through alignment properties
Architectural Patterns
The Elm Architecture (TEA) for state management
Composable boxes for UI
Stateless elements where possible
Single source of truth for UI state
Functional event handling
Real World Architectures
Elm-based dashboards
Internal tools with complex forms
Educational web apps with type-safe UI
Responsive data visualization apps
Full-page web apps with modular UI components
Design Principles
Declarative UI composition
Type safety for layout and styling
Functional and composable components
Minimal reliance on CSS
Predictable and maintainable UIs
Scalability Guide
Compose UIs with reusable boxes
Use modules for organization
Avoid deeply nested boxes for performance
Split large pages into smaller Elm modules
Integrate with Elm Architecture for state management
Migration Guide
Move from plain Elm HTML to Elm UI
Refactor CSS-based layouts to Box layouts
Update component composition patterns
Replace manual spacing/alignment with Elm UI functions
Test layouts and responsiveness
Frequently Asked Questions about Elm-ui
What is Elm-ui?
Elm UI is a library for building web interfaces in Elm, focusing on layout and styling in a declarative, type-safe way without relying on CSS.
What are the primary use cases for Elm-ui?
Building web interfaces in Elm. Creating responsive layouts without CSS. Developing reusable UI components. Prototyping web app designs quickly. Type-safe styling and spacing
What are the strengths of Elm-ui?
Strong type safety ensures layout correctness. Reduces runtime layout errors. Declarative and composable UI design. Eliminates CSS complexity. Works seamlessly with Elm’s functional paradigm
What are the limitations of Elm-ui?
Limited to Elm applications. Does not support all CSS features. Smaller ecosystem compared to HTML/CSS frameworks. Learning curve for functional layout thinking. Less flexible for highly custom or complex visual designs
How can I practice Elm-ui typing speed?
CodeSpeedTest offers 9+ real Elm-ui code examples for typing practice. You can measure your WPM, track accuracy, and improve your coding speed with guided exercises.