How to style React Native Application ?
Last Updated :
10 May, 2025
In this article, we'll learn how to style React Native applications. There are two major ways to style your React Native Application.
Style Props
To style an element with the style props, the value must be a JavaScript Object. You just have to add a style prop to your element.
Syntax
<View style={{}}> </View>
Using StyleSheet
StyleSheets separates the style code from the main elements. It makes the code easier to understand and increases its usability. In large code bases adding inline styles for each element can become messed up that's why stylesheets are used.
To use the stylesheet in your code, first import the stylesheet:
import { StyleSheet} from 'react-native';Syntax:
const styles = StyleSheet.create({ style1Name: { }, style2Name: { }, style3Name: { }});
Step-by-Step Implementation
Step 1: Create a React Native Project
Now, create a project with the following command.
npx create-expo-app app-name --template
Note: Replace the app-name with your app name for example : react-native-demo-app
Next, you might be asked to choose a template. Select one based on your preference as shown in the image below. I am selecting the blank template because it will generate a minimal app, as clean as an empty canvas in JavaScript.
It completes the project creation and displays a message: "Your Project is ready!" as shown in the image below.
Now go into your project folder, i.e., react-native-demo
cd app-name
Project Structure:
Step 2: Run Application
Start the server by using the following command.
npx expo start
Then, the application will display a QR code.
- For the Android users,
- For the Android Emulator, press "a" as mentioned in the image below.
- For Physical Device, Download the "Expo Go" app from the Play Store. Open the app, and you will see a button labeled "Scan QR Code." Click that button and scan the QR code; it will automatically build the Android app on your device.
- For iOS users, simply scan the QR code using the Camera app.
- If you're using a web browser, it will provide a local host link that you can use as mentioned in the image below.
Style Props Example
Example 1: This example will demonstrate the style of props. Write the below code in the App.js file.
App.js:
App.js
import React from 'react'; // Import React library to use React components and hooks
import {
View, // Import View component to create a container
Text, // Import Text component to display text
} from 'react-native'; // Import components from react-native library
// Define the main App component as the default export
export default function App() {
// Return the UI of the App component
return (
<View
style={{
flex: 1, // Set flex to 1 to fill the entire screen
justifyContent: 'center', // Center align items vertically
alignItems: 'center', // Center align items horizontally
}}
> {/* Outer container view */}
<View
style={{
backgroundColor: 'green', // Set background color to green
height: 200, // Set height of the container to 200
width: 200, // Set width of the container to 200
justifyContent: 'center', // Center align items vertically
alignItems: 'center', // Center align items horizontally
}}
>
<Text
style={{
fontSize: 20, // Set font size of the text to 20
color: 'white', // Set text color to white
textAlign: 'center', // Center align the text
margin: 10, // Add margin around the text
}}
>
GeeksforGeeks {/* Text to be displayed */}
</Text>
</View>
</View>
);
}
Output:
Using StyleSheet Example
Example 2: Let's convert the Example 1 code into styleSheet to demonstrate the use of Stylesheet. Write the below code in the App.js file.
App.js:
JavaScript
import React from 'react'; // Import React library to use React components and hooks
import {
View, // Import View component to create a container
Text, // Import Text component to display text
StyleSheet, // Import StyleSheet to create styles for components
} from 'react-native'; // Import components from react-native library
// Define the main App component as the default export
export default function App() {
// Return the UI of the App component
return (
<View
style={{
flex: 1, // Set flex to 1 to fill the entire screen
justifyContent: 'center', // Center align items vertically
alignItems: 'center', // Center align items horizontally
}}
> {/* Outer container view */}
<View
style={styles.container} // Apply styles to the inner container view
>
<Text
style={styles.text} // Apply styles to the text component
>
GeeksforGeeks {/* Text to be displayed */}
</Text>
</View>
</View>
);
}
// Define styles for the components
const styles = StyleSheet.create({
container: { // Style for the container view
backgroundColor: 'black', // Set background color to green
height: 200, // Set height to 200
width: 200, // Set width to 200
justifyContent: 'center', // Center align items vertically
alignItems: 'center', // Center align items horizontally
},
text: { // Style for the text component
fontSize: 20, // Set font size to 20
color: 'white', // Set text color to white
textAlign: 'center', // Center align the text
margin: 10, // Add margin around the text
}
});
Output:
