Learn Bootstrap 3 Step by Step
Learn Bootstrap 3 in simple English. Understand the concept, check examples, and practice step by step. This page helps you understand older projects that still use Bootstrap 3.
What is Bootstrap 3?
Bootstrap 3 is an older version of the Bootstrap framework. It helps you build responsive web pages using ready-made classes for layout, buttons, forms, navigation bars, and more.
Even though Bootstrap 5 is the latest version, Bootstrap 3 is still useful because many older websites and projects use it.
HTML
Creates the structure
CSS
Adds design and styling
Bootstrap 3
Provides ready-made classes
Why Learn Bootstrap 3?
- Many old websites still use Bootstrap 3
- Useful for job support and project maintenance
- Helps understand legacy frontend code
- Easy way to learn old framework structure
- Useful for interviews when old versions are discussed
- Good for working on support projects
- Helps compare Bootstrap versions clearly
- Good for understanding framework basics
Bootstrap Versions Overview
Understanding versions helps students know which version to learn first and which version is useful for support.
Bootstrap 3
Old version, still used in many old projects.
Bootstrap 4
Improved version with better layout system.
Bootstrap 5
Latest version and recommended for new students.
How to Add Bootstrap 3
The easiest way is to use the CDN link. Add this code inside the
<head> section of your HTML page.
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.4.1/css/bootstrap.min.css">Basic Bootstrap 3 Page
Below is a simple Bootstrap 3 example with container, heading, paragraph, and button.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Bootstrap 3 Example</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.4.1/css/bootstrap.min.css">
</head>
<body>
<div class="container">
<h1 class="text-primary">Hello Students</h1>
<p>This is Bootstrap 3 example.</p>
<button class="btn btn-warning">Click Me</button>
</div>
</body>
</html>Core Topics in Bootstrap 3
1. Container
Container is used to wrap content and give proper layout spacing.
<div class="container">...</div>2. Grid System
Bootstrap 3 uses rows and columns to create responsive layouts.
<div class="row"> <div class="col-md-6">...</div> </div>3. Typography
Bootstrap gives text classes for color, alignment, and style.
text-primary, text-center, text-success4. Buttons
Buttons are easy to create using ready-made Bootstrap classes.
btn btn-primary, btn btn-success5. Panels
Panels are used to show content inside a clean box layout.
panel panel-default, panel-heading, panel-body6. Forms
Forms become cleaner using Bootstrap form classes.
form-control, form-group7. Navbar
Navbar is used to create header navigation sections.
navbar, navbar-default, navbar-brand8. Glyphicons
Bootstrap 3 includes built-in icons called Glyphicons.
<span class="glyphicon glyphicon-user"></span>9. Tables
Tables can be styled easily using Bootstrap table classes.
table table-bordered, table-striped10. Responsive Layout
Bootstrap 3 helps pages adjust on mobile, tablet, and desktop screens.
col-xs-12, col-sm-6, col-md-4Quick Understanding
Common Classes
container= layoutrow= horizontal groupcol-md-6= columnbtn= buttonpanel= content box
Important Features
navbar= navigation barform-control= input designglyphicon= icontable= table stylingtext-primary= text color
Practice Tasks
Try these simple Bootstrap 3 tasks:
Live Example
This example uses Bootstrap 3 CDN with container, heading, paragraph, and button.
Mini Project
Build This
- Navbar
- Header section
- 2 column layout
- Panel section
- Contact form
Goal
This project helps students combine layout, buttons, panels, and forms into one simple webpage.
Learning Flow
Container
Learn how layout starts.
Grid System
Learn rows and columns.
Components
Practice buttons, panels, and forms.
Responsive Design
Make pages work on all screens.
Basic Interview Questions
1. What is Bootstrap 3?
Bootstrap 3 is a CSS framework used to build responsive web pages.
2. Why do we use Bootstrap 3?
To build websites faster using ready-made classes.
3. What is container?
Container is used to wrap content and provide layout.
4. What is panel in Bootstrap 3?
Panel is used to create content boxes in Bootstrap 3.
5. What is Glyphicon?
Glyphicon is the built-in icon system used in Bootstrap 3.
Final Message
Bootstrap 3 becomes easy when you practice regularly. Do not only copy the code. Change the classes, test the output, and see what happens.
Learn Bootstrap 5 first for new projects, then use Bootstrap 3 for old project support.
