Bouncing loaderanimation
Creates a bouncing loader animation.
HTML
<div class="bouncing-loader">
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
</div>
CSS
@keyframes bouncing-loader {
to {
opacity: 0.1;
transform: translate3d(0, -1rem, 0);
}
}
.bouncing-loader {
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
}
.bouncing-loader > div {
width: 1rem;
height: 1rem;
margin: 3rem 0.2rem;
background: #8385aa;
border-radius: 50%;
animation: bouncing-loader 0.6s infinite alternate;
}
.bouncing-loader > div:nth-child(2) {
animation-delay: 0.2s;
}
.bouncing-loader > div:nth-child(3) {
animation-delay: 0.4s;
}
Demo
Explanation
Note: 1rem
is usually 16px
.
-
@keyframes
defines an animation that has two states, where the element changesopacity
and is translated up on the 2D plane usingtransform: translate3d()
. Using a single axis translation ontransform: translate3d()
improves the performance of the animation. -
.bouncing-loader
is the parent container of the bouncing circles and usesdisplay: flex
andjustify-content: center
to position them in the center. -
.bouncing-loader > div
, targets the three childdiv
s of the parent to be styled. Thediv
s are given a width and height of1rem
, usingborder-radius: 50%
to turn them from squares to circles. -
margin: 3rem 0.2rem
specifies that each circle has a top/bottom margin of3rem
and left/right margin of0.2rem
so that they do not directly touch each other, giving them some breathing room. -
animation
is a shorthand property for the various animation properties:animation-name
,animation-duration
,animation-iteration-count
,animation-direction
are used. -
nth-child(n)
targets the element which is the nth child of its parent. -
animation-delay
is used on the second and thirddiv
respectively, so that each element does not start the animation at the same time.
Browser support
93.4%✅ No caveats.
Box-sizing resetlayout
Resets the box-model so that width
s and height
s are not affected by their border
s or padding
.
HTML
<div class="box">border-box</div>
<div class="box content-box">content-box</div>
CSS
html {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
*,
*::before,
*::after {
box-sizing: inherit;
}
.box {
display: inline-block;
width: 150px;
height: 150px;
padding: 10px;
background: tomato;
color: white;
border: 10px solid red;
}
.content-box {
box-sizing: content-box;
}
Demo
border-box content-boxExplanation
box-sizing: border-box
makes the addition ofpadding
orborder
s not affect an element'swidth
orheight
.box-sizing: inherit
makes an element respect its parent'sbox-sizing
rule.
Browser support
95.9%✅ No caveats.
Button border animationanimation
Creates a border animation on hover.
HTML
<div class="button-border"><button class="button">Submit</button></div>
CSS
.button {
background-color: #c47135;
border: none;
color: #ffffff;
outline: none;
padding: 12px 40px 10px;
position: relative;
}
.button:before,
.button:after {
border: 0 solid transparent;
transition: all 0.25s;
content: '';
height: 24px;
position: absolute;
width: 24px;
}
.button:before {
border-top: 2px solid #c47135;
left: 0px;
top: -5px;
}
.button:after {
border-bottom: 2px solid #c47135;
bottom: -5px;
right: 0px;
}
.button:hover {
background-color: #c47135;
}
.button:hover:before,
.button:hover:after {
height: 100%;
width: 100%;
}
Demo
Explanation
Use the :before
and :after
pseduo-elements as borders that animate on hover.
Browser support
99+%✅ No caveats.
Calc()other
The function calc() allows to define CSS values with the use of mathematical expressions, the value adopted for the property is the result of a mathematical expression.
HTML
<div class="box-example"></div>
CSS
.box-example {
height: 280px;
background: #222 url('https://image.ibb.co/fUL9nS/wolf.png') no-repeat;
background-position: calc(100% - 20px) calc(100% - 20px);
}
Demo
If you want to align a background-image from right and bottom wasn't possible with just straight length values. So now it's possible using calc():
Background-image in the right/bottomExplanation
- It allows addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
- Can use different units (pixel and percent together, for example) for each value in your expression.
- It is permitted to nest calc() functions.
- It can be used in any property that
<length>
,<frequency>
,<angle>
,<time>
,<number>
,<color>
, or<integer>
is allowed, like width, height, font-size, top, left, etc.
Browser support
93.0%✅ No caveats.
Circlevisual
Creates a circle shape with pure CSS.
HTML
<div class="circle"></div>
CSS
.circle {
border-radius: 50%;
width: 2rem;
height: 2rem;
background: #333;
}
Demo
Explanation
border-radius: 50%
curves the borders of an element to create a circle.
Since a circle has the same radius at any given point, the width
and height
must be the same. Differing values will create an ellipse.
Browser support
93.7%✅ No caveats.
Clearfixlayout
Ensures that an element self-clears its children.
Note: This is only useful if you are still using float to build layouts. Please consider using a modern approach with flexbox layout or grid layout.
HTML
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="floated">float a</div>
<div class="floated">float b</div>
<div class="floated">float c</div>
</div>
CSS
.clearfix::after {
content: '';
display: block;
clear: both;
}
.floated {
float: left;
}
Demo
Explanation
.clearfix::after
defines a pseudo-element.content: ''
allows the pseudo-element to affect layout.clear: both
indicates that the left, right or both sides of the element cannot be adjacent to earlier floated elements within the same block formatting context.
Browser support
99+%⚠️ For this snippet to work properly you need to ensure that there are no non-floating children in the container and that there are no tall floats before the clearfixed container but in the same formatting context (e.g. floated columns).
Constant width to height ratiolayout
Given an element of variable width, it will ensure its height remains proportionate in a responsive fashion (i.e., its width to height ratio remains constant).
HTML
<div class="constant-width-to-height-ratio"></div>
CSS
.constant-width-to-height-ratio {
background: #333;
width: 50%;
}
.constant-width-to-height-ratio::before {
content: '';
padding-top: 100%;
float: left;
}
.constant-width-to-height-ratio::after {
content: '';
display: block;
clear: both;
}
Demo
Explanation
padding-top
on the ::before
pseudo-element causes the height of the element to equal a percentage of its width. 100%
therefore means the element's height will always be 100%
of the width, creating
a responsive square.
This method also allows content to be placed inside the element normally.
Browser support
99+%✅ No caveats.
Countervisualother
Counters are, in essence, variables maintained by CSS whose values may be incremented by CSS rules to track how many times they're used.
HTML
<ul>
<li>List item</li>
<li>List item</li>
<li>
List item
<ul>
<li>List item</li>
<li>List item</li>
<li>List item</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
CSS
ul {
counter-reset: counter;
}
li::before {
counter-increment: counter;
content: counters(counter, '.') ' ';
}
Demo
- List item
- List item
- List item
- List item
- List item
- List item
Explanation
You can create a ordered list using any type of HTML.
-
counter-reset
Initializes a counter, the value is the name of the counter. By default, the counter starts at 0. This property can also be used to change its value to any specific number. -
counter-increment
Used in element that will be countable. Oncecounter-reset
initialized, a counter's value can be increased or decreased. -
counter(name, style)
Displays the value of a section counter. Generally used in acontent
property. This function can receive two parameters, the first as the name of the counter and the second one can bedecimal
orupper-roman
(decimal
by default). -
counters(counter, string, style)
Displays the value of a section counter. Generally used in acontent
property. This function can receive three parameters, the first as the name of the counter, the second one you can include a string which comes after the counter and the third one can bedecimal
orupper-roman
(decimal
by default). -
A CSS counter can be especially useful for making outlined lists, because a new instance of the counter is automatically created in child elements. Using the
counters()
function, separating text can be inserted between different levels of nested counters.
Browser support
95.9%✅ No caveats.
Custom scrollbarvisual
Customizes the scrollbar style for the document and elements with scrollable overflow, on WebKit platforms.
HTML
<div class="custom-scrollbar">
<p>
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit.<br />
Iure id exercitationem nulla qui repellat laborum vitae, <br />
molestias tempora velit natus. Quas, assumenda nisi. <br />
Quisquam enim qui iure, consequatur velit sit?
</p>
</div>
CSS
.custom-scrollbar {
height: 70px;
overflow-y: scroll;
}
/* To style the document scrollbar, remove `.custom-scrollbar` */
.custom-scrollbar::-webkit-scrollbar {
width: 8px;
}
.custom-scrollbar::-webkit-scrollbar-track {
box-shadow: inset 0 0 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
border-radius: 10px;
}
.custom-scrollbar::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb {
border-radius: 10px;
box-shadow: inset 0 0 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
}
Demo
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit.
Iure id exercitationem nulla qui repellat laborum vitae,
molestias tempora velit natus. Quas, assumenda nisi.
Quisquam enim qui iure, consequatur velit sit?
Explanation
::-webkit-scrollbar
targets the whole scrollbar element.::-webkit-scrollbar-track
targets only the scrollbar track.::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb
targets the scrollbar thumb.
There are many other pseudo-elements that you can use to style scrollbars. For more info, visit the WebKit Blog.
Browser support
86.7%⚠️ Scrollbar styling doesn't appear to be on any standards track.
Custom text selectionvisual
Changes the styling of text selection.
HTML
<p class="custom-text-selection">Select some of this text.</p>
CSS
::selection {
background: aquamarine;
color: black;
}
.custom-text-selection::selection {
background: deeppink;
color: white;
}
Demo
Select some of this text.
Explanation
::selection
defines a pseudo selector on an element to style text within it when selected. Note that if you don't combine any other selector your style will be applied at document root level, to any selectable element.
Browser support
82.5%⚠️ Requires prefixes for full support and is not actually in any specification.
Custom variablesother
CSS variables that contain specific values to be reused throughout a document.
HTML
<p class="custom-variables">CSS is awesome!</p>
CSS
:root {
/* Place variables within here to use the variables globally. */
}
.custom-variables {
--some-color: #da7800;
--some-keyword: italic;
--some-size: 1.25em;
--some-complex-value: 1px 1px 2px whitesmoke, 0 0 1em slategray, 0 0 0.2em slategray;
color: var(--some-color);
font-size: var(--some-size);
font-style: var(--some-keyword);
text-shadow: var(--some-complex-value);
}
Demo
CSS is awesome!
Explanation
The variables are defined globally within the :root
CSS pseudo-class which matches the root element of a tree representing the document. Variables can also be scoped to a selector if defined within the block.
Declare a variable with --variable-name:
.
Reuse variables throughout the document using the var(--variable-name)
function.
Browser support
87.6%✅ No caveats.
Disable selectioninteractivity
Makes the content unselectable.
HTML
<p>You can select me.</p>
<p class="unselectable">You can't select me!</p>
CSS
.unselectable {
user-select: none;
}
Demo
You can select me.
You can't select me!
Explanation
user-select: none
specifies that the text cannot be selected.
Browser support
89.2%⚠️ Requires prefixes for full support. ⚠️ This is not a secure method to prevent users from copying content.
Display table centeringlayout
Vertically and horizontally centers a child element within its parent element using display: table
(as an alternative to flexbox
).
HTML
<div class="container">
<div class="center"><span>Centered content</span></div>
</div>
CSS
.container {
border: 1px solid #333;
height: 250px;
width: 250px;
}
.center {
display: table;
height: 100%;
width: 100%;
}
.center > span {
display: table-cell;
text-align: center;
vertical-align: middle;
}
Demo
Centered contentExplanation
display: table
on '.center' allows the element to behave like a<table>
HTML element.- 100% height and width on '.center' allows the element to fill the available space within its parent element.
display: table-cell
on '.center > span' allows the element to behave like an HTML element.text-align: center
on '.center > span' centers the child element horizontally.vertical-align: middle
on '.center > span' centers the child element vertically.
The outer parent ('.container' in this case) must have a fixed height and width.
Browser support
99+%✅ No caveats.
Donut spinneranimation
Creates a donut spinner that can be used to indicate the loading of content.
HTML
<div class="donut"></div>
CSS
@keyframes donut-spin {
0% {
transform: rotate(0deg);
}
100% {
transform: rotate(360deg);
}
}
.donut {
display: inline-block;
border: 4px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
border-left-color: #7983ff;
border-radius: 50%;
width: 30px;
height: 30px;
animation: donut-spin 1.2s linear infinite;
}
Demo
Explanation
Use a semi-transparent border
for the whole element, except one side that will serve as the loading indicator for the donut. Use animation
to rotate the element.
Browser support
93.4%⚠️ Requires prefixes for full support.
Dynamic shadowvisual
Creates a shadow similar to box-shadow
but based on the colors of the element itself.
HTML
<div class="dynamic-shadow"></div>
CSS
.dynamic-shadow {
position: relative;
width: 10rem;
height: 10rem;
background: linear-gradient(75deg, #6d78ff, #00ffb8);
z-index: 1;
}
.dynamic-shadow::after {
content: '';
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
position: absolute;
background: inherit;
top: 0.5rem;
filter: blur(0.4rem);
opacity: 0.7;
z-index: -1;
}
Demo
Explanation
position: relative
on the element establishes a Cartesian positioning context for psuedo-elements.z-index: 1
establishes a new stacking context.::after
defines a pseudo-element.position: absolute
takes the pseudo element out of the flow of the document and positions it in relation to the parent.width: 100%
andheight: 100%
sizes the pseudo-element to fill its parent's dimensions, making it equal in size.background: inherit
causes the pseudo-element to inherit the linear gradient specified on the element.top: 0.5rem
offsets the pseudo-element down slightly from its parent.filter: blur(0.4rem)
will blur the pseudo-element to create the appearance of a shadow underneath.opacity: 0.7
makes the pseudo-element partially transparent.z-index: -1
positions the pseudo-element behind the parent but in front of the background.
Browser support
90.2%⚠️ Requires prefixes for full support.
Easing variablesanimation
Variables that can be reused for transition-timing-function
properties, more powerful than the built-in ease
, ease-in
, ease-out
and ease-in-out
.
HTML
<div class="easing-variables">Hover</div>
CSS
:root {
/* Place variables in here to use globally */
}
.easing-variables {
--ease-in-quad: cubic-bezier(0.55, 0.085, 0.68, 0.53);
--ease-in-cubic: cubic-bezier(0.55, 0.055, 0.675, 0.19);
--ease-in-quart: cubic-bezier(0.895, 0.03, 0.685, 0.22);
--ease-in-quint: cubic-bezier(0.755, 0.05, 0.855, 0.06);
--ease-in-expo: cubic-bezier(0.95, 0.05, 0.795, 0.035);
--ease-in-circ: cubic-bezier(0.6, 0.04, 0.98, 0.335);
--ease-out-quad: cubic-bezier(0.25, 0.46, 0.45, 0.94);
--ease-out-cubic: cubic-bezier(0.215, 0.61, 0.355, 1);
--ease-out-quart: cubic-bezier(0.165, 0.84, 0.44, 1);
--ease-out-quint: cubic-bezier(0.23, 1, 0.32, 1);
--ease-out-expo: cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1);
--ease-out-circ: cubic-bezier(0.075, 0.82, 0.165, 1);
--ease-in-out-quad: cubic-bezier(0.455, 0.03, 0.515, 0.955);
--ease-in-out-cubic: cubic-bezier(0.645, 0.045, 0.355, 1);
--ease-in-out-quart: cubic-bezier(0.77, 0, 0.175, 1);
--ease-in-out-quint: cubic-bezier(0.86, 0, 0.07, 1);
--ease-in-out-expo: cubic-bezier(1, 0, 0, 1);
--ease-in-out-circ: cubic-bezier(0.785, 0.135, 0.15, 0.86);
display: inline-block;
width: 75px;
height: 75px;
padding: 10px;
color: white;
line-height: 50px;
text-align: center;
background: #333;
transition: transform 1s var(--ease-out-quart);
}
.easing-variables:hover {
transform: rotate(45deg);
}
Demo
HoverExplanation
The variables are defined globally within the :root
CSS pseudo-class which matches the root element of a tree representing the document. In HTML, :root
represents the <html>
element and is identical to
the selector html
, except that its specificity is higher.
Browser support
87.6%✅ No caveats.
Etched textvisual
Creates an effect where text appears to be "etched" or engraved into the background.
HTML
<p class="etched-text">I appear etched into the background.</p>
CSS
.etched-text {
text-shadow: 0 2px white;
font-size: 1.5rem;
font-weight: bold;
color: #b8bec5;
}
Demo
I appear etched into the background.
Explanation
text-shadow: 0 2px white
creates a white shadow offset 0px
horizontally and 2px
vertically from the origin position.
The background must be darker than the shadow for the effect to work.
The text color should be slightly faded to make it look like it's engraved/carved out of the background.
Browser support
95.5%✅ No caveats.
Evenly distributed childrenlayout
Evenly distributes child elements within a parent element.
HTML
<div class="evenly-distributed-children">
<p>Item1</p>
<p>Item2</p>
<p>Item3</p>
</div>
CSS
.evenly-distributed-children {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
}
Demo
Item1
Item2
Item3
Explanation
display: flex
enables flexbox.justify-content: space-between
evenly distributes child elements horizontally. The first item is positioned at the left edge, while the last item is positioned at the right edge.
Alternatively, use justify-content: space-around
to distribute the children with space around them, rather than between them.
Browser support
95.5%⚠️ Needs prefixes for full support.
Fit image in containerlayoutvisual
Changes the fit and position of an image within its container while preserving its aspect ratio. Previously only possible using a background image and the background-size
property.
HTML
<img class="image image-contain" src="https://picsum.photos/600/200" />
<img class="image image-cover" src="https://picsum.photos/600/200" />
CSS
.image {
background: #34495e;
border: 1px solid #34495e;
width: 200px;
height: 200px;
}
.image-contain {
object-fit: contain;
object-position: center;
}
.image-cover {
object-fit: cover;
object-position: right top;
}
Demo
Explanation
object-fit: contain
fits the entire image within the container while preserving its aspect ratio.object-fit: cover
fills the container with the image while preserving its aspect ratio.object-position: [x] [y]
positions the image within the container.
Browser support
91.5%✅ No caveats.
Flexbox centeringlayout
Horizontally and vertically centers a child element within a parent element using flexbox
.
HTML
<div class="flexbox-centering"><div class="child">Centered content.</div></div>
CSS
.flexbox-centering {
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
height: 100px;
}
Demo
Centered content.Explanation
display: flex
enables flexbox.justify-content: center
centers the child horizontally.align-items: center
centers the child vertically.
Browser support
95.5%⚠️ Needs prefixes for full support.
Focus Withinvisualinteractivity
Changes the appearance of a form if any of its children are focused.
HTML
<div class="focus-within">
<form>
<label for="given_name">Given Name:</label> <input id="given_name" type="text" /> <br />
<label for="family_name">Family Name:</label> <input id="family_name" type="text" />
</form>
</div>
CSS
form {
border: 3px solid #2d98da;
color: #000000;
padding: 4px;
}
form:focus-within {
background: #f7b731;
color: #000000;
}
Demo
Explanation
The psuedo class :focus-within
applies styles to a parent element if any child element gets focused. For example, an input
element inside a form
element.
Browser support
78.9%⚠️ Not supported in IE11 or the current version of Edge.
Fullscreenvisual
The :fullscreen CSS pseudo-class represents an element that's displayed when the browser is in fullscreen mode.
HTML
<div class="container">
<p><em>Click the button below to enter the element into fullscreen mode. </em></p>
<div class="element" id="element"><p>I change color in fullscreen mode!</p></div>
<br />
<button onclick="var el = document.getElementById('element'); el.requestFullscreen();">
Go Full Screen!
</button>
</div>
CSS
.container {
margin: 40px auto;
max-width: 700px;
}
.element {
padding: 20px;
height: 300px;
width: 100%;
background-color: skyblue;
}
.element p {
text-align: center;
color: white;
font-size: 3em;
}
.element:-ms-fullscreen p {
visibility: visible;
}
.element:fullscreen {
background-color: #e4708a;
width: 100vw;
height: 100vh;
}
Demo
Click the button below to enter the element into fullscreen mode.
I change color in fullscreen mode!
Explanation
fullscreen
CSS pseudo-class selector is used to select and style an element that is being displayed in fullscreen mode.
Browser support
81.6%83.38
Ghost tricklayout
Vertically centers an element in another.
HTML
<div class="ghost-trick">
<div class="ghosting"><p>Vertically centered without changing the position property.</p></div>
</div>
CSS
.ghosting {
height: 300px;
background: #0ff;
}
.ghosting:before {
content: '';
display: inline-block;
height: 100%;
vertical-align: middle;
}
p {
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: middle;
}
Demo
Vertically centered without changing the position property.
Explanation
Use the style of a :before
pseudo-element to vertically align inline elements without changing their position
property.
Browser support
95.9%Gradient textvisual
Gives text a gradient color.
HTML
<p class="gradient-text">Gradient text</p>
CSS
.gradient-text {
background: -webkit-linear-gradient(pink, red);
-webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
-webkit-background-clip: text;
}
Demo
Gradient text
Explanation
background: -webkit-linear-gradient(...)
gives the text element a gradient background.webkit-text-fill-color: transparent
fills the text with a transparent color.webkit-background-clip: text
clips the background with the text, filling the text with the gradient background as the color.
Browser support
90.1%⚠️ Uses non-standard properties.
Grid centeringlayout
Horizontally and vertically centers a child element within a parent element using grid
.
HTML
<div class="grid-centering"><div class="child">Centered content.</div></div>
CSS
.grid-centering {
display: grid;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
height: 100px;
}
Demo
Centered content.Explanation
display: grid
enables grid.justify-content: center
centers the child horizontally.align-items: center
centers the child vertically.
Browser support
88.3%✅ No caveats.
Hairline bordervisual
Gives an element a border equal to 1 native device pixel in width, which can look very sharp and crisp.
HTML
<div class="hairline-border">text</div>
CSS
.hairline-border {
box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px;
}
@media (min-resolution: 2dppx) {
.hairline-border {
box-shadow: 0 0 0 0.5px;
}
}
@media (min-resolution: 3dppx) {
.hairline-border {
box-shadow: 0 0 0 0.33333333px;
}
}
@media (min-resolution: 4dppx) {
.hairline-border {
box-shadow: 0 0 0 0.25px;
}
}
Demo
textExplanation
box-shadow
, when only using spread, adds a pseudo-border which can use subpixels*.- Use
@media (min-resolution: ...)
to check the device pixel ratio (1dppx
equals 96 DPI), setting the spread of thebox-shadow
equal to1 / dppx
.
Browser Support
93.7%⚠️ Needs alternate syntax and JavaScript user agent checking for full support.
*Chrome does not support subpixel values on border
. Safari does not support subpixel values on box-shadow
. Firefox supports subpixel values on both.
Height transitionanimation
Transitions an element's height from 0
to auto
when its height is unknown.
HTML
<div class="trigger">
Hover me to see a height transition.
<div class="el">content</div>
</div>
CSS
.el {
transition: max-height 0.5s;
overflow: hidden;
max-height: 0;
}
.trigger:hover > .el {
max-height: var(--max-height);
}
JavaScript
var el = document.querySelector('.el')
var height = el.scrollHeight
el.style.setProperty('--max-height', height + 'px')
Demo
Hover me to see a height transition. contentExplanation
CSS
transition: max-height: 0.5s cubic-bezier(...)
specifies that changes tomax-height
should be transitioned over 0.5 seconds, using anease-out-quint
timing function.overflow: hidden
prevents the contents of the hidden element from overflowing its container.max-height: 0
specifies that the element has no height initially..target:hover > .el
specifies that when the parent is hovered over, target a child.el
within it and use the--max-height
variable which was defined by JavaScript.
JavaScript
el.scrollHeight
is the height of the element including overflow, which will change dynamically based on the content of the element.el.style.setProperty(...)
sets the--max-height
CSS variable which is used to specify themax-height
of the element the target is hovered over, allowing it to transition smoothly from 0 to auto.
Browser Support
87.6% Requires JavaScript ⚠️ Causes reflow on each animation frame, which will be laggy if there are a large number of elements beneath the element that is transitioning in height.Hover Shadow Box Animationanimation
Creates a shadow box around the text whern it is hovered.
HTML
<p class="hover-shadow-box-animation">Box it!</p>
CSS
.hover-shadow-box-animation {
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: middle;
transform: perspective(1px) translateZ(0);
box-shadow: 0 0 1px transparent;
margin: 10px;
transition-duration: 0.3s;
transition-property: box-shadow, transform;
}
.hover-shadow-box-animation:hover,
.hover-shadow-box-animation:focus,
.hover-shadow-box-animation:active {
box-shadow: 1px 10px 10px -10px rgba(0, 0, 24, 0.5);
transform: scale(1.2);
}
Demo
Box it!
Explanation
display: inline-block
to set width and length forp
element thus making it aninline-block
.- Set
transform: perspective(1px)
to give element a 3D space by affecting the distance between the Z plane and the user andtranslate(0)
to reposition thep
element along z-axis in 3D space. box-shadow:
to set up the box.transparent
to make box transparent.transition-property
to enable transitions for bothbox-shadow
andtransform
.:hover
to activate whole css when hovering is done untilactive
.transform: scale(1.2)
to change the scale, magnifying the text.
Browser Support
93.3%✅ No caveats.
Hover underline animationanimation
Creates an animated underline effect when the text is hovered over.
Credit: flatuicolors.com/
HTML
<p class="hover-underline-animation">Hover this text to see the effect!</p>
CSS
.hover-underline-animation {
display: inline-block;
position: relative;
color: #0087ca;
}
.hover-underline-animation::after {
content: '';
position: absolute;
width: 100%;
transform: scaleX(0);
height: 2px;
bottom: 0;
left: 0;
background-color: #0087ca;
transform-origin: bottom right;
transition: transform 0.25s ease-out;
}
.hover-underline-animation:hover::after {
transform: scaleX(1);
transform-origin: bottom left;
}
Demo
Hover this text to see the effect!
Explanation
display: inline-block
makes the blockp
aninline-block
to prevent the underline from spanning the entire parent width rather than just the content (text).position: relative
on the element establishes a Cartesian positioning context for pseudo-elements.::after
defines a pseudo-element.position: absolute
takes the pseudo element out of the flow of the document and positions it in relation to the parent.width: 100%
ensures the pseudo-element spans the entire width of the text block.transform: scaleX(0)
initially scales the pseudo element to 0 so it has no width and is not visible.bottom: 0
andleft: 0
position it to the bottom left of the block.transition: transform 0.25s ease-out
means changes totransform
will be transitioned over 0.25 seconds with anease-out
timing function.transform-origin: bottom right
means the transform anchor point is positioned at the bottom right of the block.:hover::after
then usesscaleX(1)
to transition the width to 100%, then changes thetransform-origin
tobottom left
so that the anchor point is reversed, allowing it transition out in the other direction when hovered off.
Browser support
93.5%✅ No caveats.
Last item with remaining available heightlayout
Take advantage of available viewport space by giving the last element the remaining available space in current viewport, even when resizing the window.
HTML
<div class="container">
<div>Div 1</div>
<div>Div 2</div>
<div>Div 3</div>
</div>
CSS
html,
body {
height: 100%;
margin: 0;
}
.container {
height: 100%;
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
}
.container > div:last-child {
background-color: tomato;
flex: 1;
}
Demo
Div 1 Div 2 Div 3Explanation
height: 100%
set the height of container as viewport height.display: flex
enables flexbox.flex-direction: column
set the direction of flex items' order from top to down.flex-grow: 1
the flexbox will apply remaining available space of container to last child element.
The parent must have a viewport height. flex-grow: 1
could be applied to the first or second element, which will have all available space.
Browser support
95.5%⚠️ Needs prefixes for full support.
Mouse cursor gradient trackingvisualinteractivity
A hover effect where the gradient follows the mouse cursor.
Credit: Tobias Reich
HTML
<button class="mouse-cursor-gradient-tracking"><span>Hover me</span></button>
CSS
.mouse-cursor-gradient-tracking {
position: relative;
background: #7983ff;
padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
font-size: 1.2rem;
border: none;
color: white;
cursor: pointer;
outline: none;
overflow: hidden;
}
.mouse-cursor-gradient-tracking span {
position: relative;
}
.mouse-cursor-gradient-tracking::before {
--size: 0;
content: '';
position: absolute;
left: var(--x);
top: var(--y);
width: var(--size);
height: var(--size);
background: radial-gradient(circle closest-side, pink, transparent);
transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
transition: width 0.2s ease, height 0.2s ease;
}
.mouse-cursor-gradient-tracking:hover::before {
--size: 200px;
}
JavaScript
var btn = document.querySelector('.mouse-cursor-gradient-tracking')
btn.onmousemove = function(e) {
var x = e.pageX - btn.offsetLeft - btn.offsetParent.offsetLeft
var y = e.pageY - btn.offsetTop - btn.offsetParent.offsetTop
btn.style.setProperty('--x', x + 'px')
btn.style.setProperty('--y', y + 'px')
}
Demo
Explanation
TODO
Browser support
87.6% Requires JavaScript ⚠️ Requires JavaScript.:not selectorvisual
The :not
psuedo selector is useful for styling a group of elements, while leaving the last (or specified) element unstyled.
HTML
<ul class="css-not-selector-shortcut">
<li>One</li>
<li>Two</li>
<li>Three</li>
<li>Four</li>
</ul>
CSS
.css-not-selector-shortcut {
display: flex;
}
ul {
padding-left: 0;
}
li {
list-style-type: none;
margin: 0;
padding: 0 0.75rem;
}
li:not(:last-child) {
border-right: 2px solid #d2d5e4;
}
Demo
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
Explanation
li:not(:last-child)
specifies that the styles should apply to all li
elements except the :last-child
.
Browser support
95.9%✅ No caveats.
Offscreenlayoutvisual
A bulletproof way to completely hide an element visually and positionally in the DOM while still allowing it to be accessed by JavaScript and readable by screen readers. This method is very useful for accessibility (ADA)
development when more context is needed for visually-impaired users. As an alternative to display: none
which is not readable by screen readers or visibility: hidden
which takes up physical space in the DOM.
HTML
<a class="button" href="http://pantswebsite.com">
Learn More <span class="offscreen"> about pants</span>
</a>
CSS
.offscreen {
border: 0;
clip: rect(0 0 0 0);
height: 1px;
margin: -1px;
overflow: hidden;
padding: 0;
position: absolute;
width: 1px;
}
Demo
Learn More about pantsExplanation
- Remove all borders.
- Use
clip
to indicate that no part of the element should be shown. - Make the height and width of the element 1px.
- Negate the elements height and width using
margin: -1px
. - Hide the element's overflow.
- Remove all padding.
- Position the element absolutely so that it does not take up space in the DOM.
Browser support
99+%✅ No caveats.
(Although clip
technically has been depreciated, the newer clip-path
currently has very limited browser support.)
Overflow scroll gradientvisual
Adds a fading gradient to an overflowing element to better indicate there is more content to be scrolled.
HTML
<div class="overflow-scroll-gradient">
<div class="overflow-scroll-gradient__scroller">
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. <br />
Iure id exercitationem nulla qui repellat laborum vitae, <br />
molestias tempora velit natus. Quas, assumenda nisi. <br />
Quisquam enim qui iure, consequatur velit sit? <br />
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit.<br />
Iure id exercitationem nulla qui repellat laborum vitae, <br />
molestias tempora velit natus. Quas, assumenda nisi. <br />
Quisquam enim qui iure, consequatur velit sit?
</div>
</div>
CSS
.overflow-scroll-gradient {
position: relative;
}
.overflow-scroll-gradient::after {
content: '';
position: absolute;
bottom: 0;
width: 240px;
height: 25px;
background: linear-gradient(
rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.001),
white
); /* transparent keyword is broken in Safari */
pointer-events: none;
}
.overflow-scroll-gradient__scroller {
overflow-y: scroll;
background: white;
width: 240px;
height: 200px;
padding: 15px;
line-height: 1.2;
}
Demo
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit.Iure id exercitationem nulla qui repellat laborum vitae,
molestias tempora velit natus. Quas, assumenda nisi.
Quisquam enim qui iure, consequatur velit sit?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit.
Iure id exercitationem nulla qui repellat laborum vitae,
molestias tempora velit natus. Quas, assumenda nisi.
Quisquam enim qui iure, consequatur velit sit?
Explanation
position: relative
on the parent establishes a Cartesian positioning context for pseudo-elements.::after
defines a pseudo element.background-image: linear-gradient(...)
adds a linear gradient that fades from transparent to white (top to bottom).position: absolute
takes the pseudo element out of the flow of the document and positions it in relation to the parent.width: 240px
matches the size of the scrolling element (which is a child of the parent that has the pseudo element).height: 25px
is the height of the fading gradient pseudo-element, which should be kept relatively small.bottom: 0
positions the pseudo-element at the bottom of the parent.pointer-events: none
specifies that the pseudo-element cannot be a target of mouse events, allowing text behind it to still be selectable/interactive.
Browser support
93.5%✅ No caveats.
Popout menuinteractivity
Reveals an interactive popout menu on hover and focus.
HTML
<div class="reference" tabindex="0"><div class="popout-menu">Popout menu</div></div>
CSS
.reference {
position: relative;
background: tomato;
width: 100px;
height: 100px;
}
.popout-menu {
position: absolute;
visibility: hidden;
left: 100%;
background: #333;
color: white;
padding: 15px;
}
.reference:hover > .popout-menu,
.reference:focus > .popout-menu,
.reference:focus-within > .popout-menu {
visibility: visible;
}
Demo
Popout menuExplanation
position: relative
on the reference parent establishes a Cartesian positioning context for its child.position: absolute
takes the popout menu out of the flow of the document and positions it in relation to the parent.left: 100%
moves the the popout menu 100% of its parent's width from the left.visibility: hidden
hides the popout menu initially and allows for transitions (unlikedisplay: none
)..reference:hover > .popout-menu
means that when.reference
is hovered over, select immediate children with a class of.popout-menu
and change theirvisibility
tovisible
, which shows the popout..reference:focus > .popout-menu
means that when.reference
is focused, the popout would be shown..reference:focus-within > .popout-menu
ensures that the popout is shown when the focus is within the reference.
Browser support
99+%✅ No caveats.
Pretty text underlinevisual
A nicer alternative to text-decoration: underline
or <u></u>
where descenders do not clip the underline. Natively implemented as text-decoration-skip-ink: auto
but it has less control over the underline.
HTML
<p class="pretty-text-underline">Pretty text underline without clipping descending letters.</p>
CSS
.pretty-text-underline {
display: inline;
text-shadow: 1px 1px #f5f6f9, -1px 1px #f5f6f9, -1px -1px #f5f6f9, 1px -1px #f5f6f9;
background-image: linear-gradient(90deg, currentColor 100%, transparent 100%);
background-position: bottom;
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-size: 100% 1px;
}
.pretty-text-underline::-moz-selection {
background-color: rgba(0, 150, 255, 0.3);
text-shadow: none;
}
.pretty-text-underline::selection {
background-color: rgba(0, 150, 255, 0.3);
text-shadow: none;
}
Demo
Pretty text underline without clipping descending letters.
Explanation
text-shadow
uses 4 values with offsets that cover a 4x4 px area to ensure the underline has a "thick" shadow that covers the line where descenders clip it. Use a color that matches the background. For a larger font, use a largerpx
size. Additional values can create an even thicker shadow, and subpixel values can also be used.background-image: linear-gradient(...)
creates a 90deg gradient using the text color (currentColor
).- The
background-*
properties size the gradient as 100% of the width of the block and 1px in height at the bottom and disables repetition, which creates a 1px underline beneath the text. - The
::selection
pseudo selector rule ensures the text shadow does not interfere with text selection.
Browser support
93.5%✅ No caveats.
Reset all stylesvisual
Resets all styles to default values with one property. This will not affect direction
and unicode-bidi
properties.
HTML
<div class="reset-all-styles">
<h5>Title</h5>
<p>
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Iure id exercitationem nulla qui
repellat laborum vitae, molestias tempora velit natus. Quas, assumenda nisi. Quisquam enim qui
iure, consequatur velit sit?
</p>
</div>
CSS
.reset-all-styles {
all: initial;
}
Demo
Title
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Iure id exercitationem nulla qui repellat laborum vitae, molestias tempora velit natus. Quas, assumenda nisi. Quisquam enim qui iure, consequatur velit sit?
Explanation
The all
property allows you to reset all styles (inherited or not) to default values.
Browser support
87.2%⚠️ MS Edge status is under consideration.
Shape separatorvisual
Uses an SVG shape to separate two different blocks to create more a interesting visual appearance compared to standard horizontal separation.
HTML
<div class="shape-separator"></div>
CSS
.shape-separator {
position: relative;
height: 48px;
background: #333;
}
.shape-separator::after {
content: '';
background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 24 12'%3E%3Cpath d='m12 0l12 12h-24z' fill='%23fff'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
position: absolute;
width: 100%;
height: 12px;
bottom: 0;
}
Demo
Explanation
position: relative
on the element establishes a Cartesian positioning context for pseudo elements.::after
defines a pseudo element.background-image: url(...)
adds the SVG shape (a 24x12 triangle) as the background image of the pseudo element, which repeats by default. It must be the same color as the block that is being separated. For other shapes, we can use the URL-encoder for SVG.position: absolute
takes the pseudo element out of the flow of the document and positions it in relation to the parent.width: 100%
ensures the element stretches the entire width of its parent.height: 12px
is the same height as the shape.bottom: 0
positions the pseudo element at the bottom of the parent.
Browser support
95.7%✅ No caveats.
Sibling fadeinteractivity
Fades out the siblings of a hovered item.
HTML
<div class="sibling-fade">
<span>Item 1</span> <span>Item 2</span> <span>Item 3</span> <span>Item 4</span>
<span>Item 5</span> <span>Item 6</span>
</div>
CSS
span {
padding: 0 1rem;
transition: opacity 0.2s;
}
.sibling-fade:hover span:not(:hover) {
opacity: 0.5;
}
Demo
Item 1 Item 2 Item 3 Item 4 Item 5 Item 6Explanation
transition: opacity 0.2s
specifies that changes to opacity will be transitioned over 0.2 seconds..sibling-fade:hover span:not(:hover)
specifies that when the parent is hovered, select anyspan
children that are not currently being hovered and change their opacity to0.5
.
Browser support
93.5%✅ No caveats.
System font stackvisual
Uses the native font of the operating system to get close to a native app feel.
HTML
<p class="system-font-stack">This text uses the system font.</p>
CSS
.system-font-stack {
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu,
Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
}
Demo
This text uses the system font.
Explanation
The browser looks for each successive font, preferring the first one if possible, and falls back to the next if it cannot find the font (on the system or defined in CSS).
-apple-system
is San Francisco, used on iOS and macOS (not Chrome however)BlinkMacSystemFont
is San Francisco, used on macOS ChromeSegoe UI
is used on Windows 10Roboto
is used on AndroidOxygen-Sans
is used on Linux with KDEUbuntu
is used on Ubuntu (all variants)Cantarell
is used on Linux with GNOME Shell"Helvetica Neue"
andHelvetica
is used on macOS 10.10 and below (wrapped in quotes because it has a space)Arial
is a font widely supported by all operating systemssans-serif
is the fallback sans-serif font if none of the other fonts are supported
Browser support
99+%✅ No caveats.
Toggle switchvisualinteractivity
Creates a toggle switch with CSS only.
HTML
<input type="checkbox" id="toggle" class="offscreen" /> <label for="toggle" class="switch"></label>
CSS
.switch {
position: relative;
display: inline-block;
width: 40px;
height: 20px;
background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25);
border-radius: 20px;
transition: all 0.3s;
}
.switch::after {
content: '';
position: absolute;
width: 18px;
height: 18px;
border-radius: 18px;
background-color: white;
top: 1px;
left: 1px;
transition: all 0.3s;
}
input[type='checkbox']:checked + .switch::after {
transform: translateX(20px);
}
input[type='checkbox']:checked + .switch {
background-color: #7983ff;
}
.offscreen {
position: absolute;
left: -9999px;
}
Demo
Explanation
This effect is styling only the <label>
element to look like a toggle switch, and hiding the actual <input>
checkbox by positioning it offscreen. When clicking the label associated with the <input>
element, it sets the <input>
checkbox into the :checked
state.
- The
for
attribute associates the<label>
with the appropriate<input>
checkbox element by itsid
. .switch::after
defines a pseudo-element for the<label>
to create the circular knob.input[type='checkbox']:checked + .switch::after
targets the<label>
's pseudo-element's style when the checkbox ischecked
.transform: translateX(20px)
moves the pseudo-element (knob) 20px to the right when the checkbox ischecked
.background-color: #7983ff;
sets the background-color of the switch to a different color when the checkbox ischecked
..offscreen
moves the<input>
checkbox element, which does not comprise any part of the actual toggle switch, out of the flow of document and positions it far away from the view, but does not hide it so it is accessible via keyboard and screen readers.transition: all 0.3s
specifies all property changes will be transitioned over 0.3 seconds, therefore transitioning the<label>
'sbackground-color
and the pseudo-element'stransform
property when the checkbox is checked.
Browser support
93.7%⚠️ Requires prefixes for full support.
Transform centeringlayout
Vertically and horizontally centers a child element within its parent element using position: absolute
and transform: translate()
(as an alternative to flexbox
or display: table
). Similar to flexbox
,
this method does not require you to know the height or width of your parent or child so it is ideal for responsive applications.
HTML
<div class="parent"><div class="child">Centered content</div></div>
CSS
.parent {
border: 1px solid #333;
height: 250px;
position: relative;
width: 250px;
}
.child {
left: 50%;
position: absolute;
top: 50%;
transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
text-align: center;
}
Demo
Centered contentExplanation
position: absolute
on the child element allows it to be positioned based on its containing block.left: 50%
andtop: 50%
offsets the child 50% from the left and top edge of its containing block.transform: translate(-50%, -50%)
allows the height and width of the child element to be negated so that it is vertically and horizontally centered.
Note: Fixed height and width on parent element is for the demo only.
Browser support
99+%⚠️ Requires prefix for full support.
Trianglevisual
Creates a triangle shape with pure CSS.
HTML
<div class="triangle"></div>
CSS
.triangle {
width: 0;
height: 0;
border-top: 20px solid #333;
border-left: 20px solid transparent;
border-right: 20px solid transparent;
}
Demo
Explanation
View this link for a detailed explanation.
The color of the border is the color of the triangle. The side the triangle tip points corresponds to the opposite border-*
property. For example, a color on border-top
means the arrow points downward.
Experiment with the px
values to change the proportion of the triangle.
Browser support
99+%✅ No caveats.
Truncate text multilinelayout
If the text is longer than one line, it will be truncated for n
lines and end with an gradient fade.
HTML
<p class="truncate-text-multiline">
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut
labore et.
</p>
CSS
.truncate-text-multiline {
overflow: hidden;
display: block;
height: 109.2px;
margin: 0 auto;
font-size: 26px;
line-height: 1.4;
width: 400px;
position: relative;
}
.truncate-text-multiline:after {
content: '';
position: absolute;
bottom: 0;
right: 0;
width: 150px;
height: 36.4px;
background: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0), #f5f6f9 50%);
}
Demo
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et.
Explanation
overflow: hidden
prevents the text from overflowing its dimensions (for a block, 100% width and auto height).width: 400px
ensures the element has a dimension.height: 109.2px
calculated value for height, it equalsfont-size * line-height * numberOfLines
(in this case26 * 1.4 * 3 = 109.2
)height: 36.4px
calculated value for gradient container, it equalsfont-size * line-height
(in this case26 * 1.4 = 36.4
)background: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0), #f5f6f9 50%)
gradient fromtransparent
to#f5f6f9
Browser support
99+%✅ No caveats.
Truncate textlayout
If the text is longer than one line, it will be truncated and end with an ellipsis …
.
HTML
<p class="truncate-text">If I exceed one line's width, I will be truncated.</p>
CSS
.truncate-text {
overflow: hidden;
white-space: nowrap;
text-overflow: ellipsis;
width: 200px;
}
Demo
If I exceed one line's width, I will be truncated.
Explanation
overflow: hidden
prevents the text from overflowing its dimensions (for a block, 100% width and auto height).white-space: nowrap
prevents the text from exceeding one line in height.text-overflow: ellipsis
makes it so that if the text exceeds its dimensions, it will end with an ellipsis.width: 200px;
ensures the element has a dimension, to know when to get ellipsis
Browser support
95.8%⚠️ Only works for single line elements.
Zebra striped listvisual
Creates a striped list with alternating background colors, which is useful for differentiating siblings that have content spread across a wide row.
HTML
<ul>
<li>Item 01</li>
<li>Item 02</li>
<li>Item 03</li>
<li>Item 04</li>
<li>Item 05</li>
</ul>
CSS
li:nth-child(odd) {
background-color: #eee;
}
Demo
- Item 01
- Item 02
- Item 03
- Item 04
- Item 05
Explanation
- Use the
:nth-child(odd)
or:nth-child(even)
pseudo-class to apply a different background color to elements that match based on their position in a group of siblings.
Note that you can use it to apply different styles to other HTML elements like div, tr, p, ol, etc.
Browser support
95.9%✅ No caveats.