# Dark mode toggles: two states are enough

DevFeed: [Dark mode toggles: two states are enough](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/dark-mode-toggles-two-states-are-enough-4261.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://css-tricks.com/dark-mode-toggles-two-states-are-enough/>)

Author: Geoff Graham

Published: 2026-08-17T14:15:50Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [CSS-Tricks](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/css-tricks.md>)

Topics: [Dark Mode](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/dark-mode.md>), [Web Development](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/web-development.md>)

Tags: [browser](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/browser.md>), [dark-mode](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/dark-mode.md>), [links](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/links.md>), [os](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/os.md>), [ui](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ui.md>), [ui-ux-design](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ui-ux-design.md>), [ux](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ux.md>)

## AI overview

The article argues that persistent light/dark theme controls generally need only two states. Sites should follow the system preference by default and let users override it, reducing interface complexity and cognitive load.

## Source excerpt

Lea's pushing back on light/dark mode implementations that display three state options for visitors: light, dark, and system. Dark mode toggles: two states are enough originally handwritten and published with love on CSS-Tricks. You should really get the newsletter as well.