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Ever notice that three-line icon on mobile websites? That’s the hamburger menu – now a key piece of responsive design.
For frontend developers, mastering the CSS hamburger menu balances both form and function. A well-built menu improves mobile user experience while maintaining your site’s visual identity.
This guide showcases CSS menu examples that transform boring navigation into engaging UI components. You’ll discover:
- Pure CSS toggle techniques without JavaScript
- Animated hamburger button transitions that provide visual feedback
- Accessible mobile menus supporting all users
- Menu overlay designs that work across devices
Whether you’re building mobile-friendly navigation from scratch or improving an existing collapsible navigation system, these examples will help you create menus that are both functional and stylish.
Let’s explore CSS menu transitions that elevate your frontend architecture while keeping navigation UX smooth and intuitive.
CSS Hamburger Menu Examples
The Showy Menu with a Color Blast by Brandon Ward
See the Pen
Full width menu & SVG animation by Brandon Ward (@brandondward)
on CodePen.
Brandon’s approach combines full-screen navigation with vibrant color transitions that grab attention. What makes this example valuable is how it handles the menu transformation while maintaining strong visual hierarchy.
The Real MVP Hamburger Menu
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The ultimate hamburger menu by Charles (@CharlesSmart)
on CodePen.
Charles Smart created what many developers consider the ultimate mobile-friendly navigation. The beauty lies in its simplicity and cross-browser compatibility.
Lean & Mean Sidebar Action
This sidebar menu represents pure efficiency in responsive design. Using only HTML and CSS, it creates a slide-out menu that works across different viewport settings.
Slide it Right with Praveen Bisht
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Slide Out Navigation Menu by Praveen Bisht (@prvnbist)
on CodePen.
Praveen’s slide-out navigation menu demonstrates excellent touch interface optimization. The subtle animation provides clear user feedback without feeling overwhelming.
Mobile Menu Vibes with a Central Twist
See the Pen
Mobile Menu Animation by Stas Melnikov (@melnik909)
on CodePen.
Stas Melnikov’s bottom-centered approach challenges conventional navigation UI placement. By positioning the menu button at the screen bottom, it improves touchscreen accessibility for one-handed use.
Playful Menu Moves Over Here
See the Pen
Hamburger Menu Animations by Tamino Martinius (@Zaku)
on CodePen.
Tamino Martinius showcases four distinct menu animations in one interface. Each transformation provides a different visual cue about the navigation state.
The Animated Show by Nicholas M. Smith
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Animated Burger/Menu Icon by Nicholas M. Smith (@icutpeople)
on CodePen.
Nicholas created a refined burger icon animation that communicates state changes clearly. The smooth transition from menu to close icon provides excellent user experience.
Dive into the CSS Deep End
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CSS Challenge – Day 2 by Elitsa Dimitrova (@elitsa_dimitrova)
on CodePen.
Elitsa Dimitrova’s CSS challenge pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with pure CSS preprocessors. The complex animations showcase advanced front-end development techniques.
The Artistic Touch by Arjan Jassal
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Material Design Menu by Arjan Jassal (@arjancodes)
on CodePen.
Arjan’s Material Design approach showcases how to implement established design systems within a hamburger menu context. The animations follow Google’s motion principles closely.
Twist and Shout with this Navigation
This unique approach rotates the entire page content to reveal the navigation. While unconventional, it creates a memorable interaction pattern that users remember.
Sil van Diepen’s Attention Grabber
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Menu test – css only – effects by Sil van Diepen (@silvandiepen)
on CodePen.
Sil’s implementation focuses on making the menu icon impossible to miss through clever effects. The animation draws attention at exactly the right moment.
Keep It Classic and Centred
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Navbar by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
This example by Álvaro takes a traditional approach to the menu component but executes it flawlessly. The centered navigation maintains cross-device experience consistency.
The 3D Magic Trick
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3D Hamburger Transformicon by Bennett Feely (@bennettfeely)
on CodePen.
Bennett Feely’s 3D transformation creates depth and dimension in what would otherwise be a flat interface element. The menu transformation feels physical and tangible.
From Burger to Book
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Hamburger Menu to Book Menu by Halil İbrahim Nuroğlu (@haibnu)
on CodePen.
Halil İbrahim Nuroğlu created an unexpected transformation from hamburger to book icon. This creative approach connects the menu concept to content in a clever way.
Adding Some Dimension
This implementation adds perspective to create a 3D effect that makes the menu feel like a physical object. The combination of CSS and JavaScript creates a sophisticated interaction.
Toggle with Swag
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Cool hamburger toggle effect by Kriszta (@vajkri)
on CodePen.
Kriszta’s toggle effect demonstrates how subtle animation details can make interactions feel more satisfying. The clean transformation provides clear user feedback.
Two-toned Delight
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Hamburger Menu (CSS only) by Youri Pailloux (@Zorlimar)
on CodePen.
Youri Pailloux’s half-white, half-blue design creates visual interest through color division. The expanding animation transforms the small icon into a full header section.
Purple Rain, Purple Icon
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Hamburger Open Animation by Sarath AR (@sarath-ar)
on CodePen.
Sarath AR uses a bold purple backdrop to make the menu icon stand out. The color creates immediate visual hierarchy in the navigation UI.
Bounce it with Jack
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Jumping Hamburger Menu Icon by Jack Thomson (@Jackthomsonn)
on CodePen.
Jack Thomson adds playfulness with a bouncing animation. The slight elasticity makes the interface feel more responsive and alive.
Open Sesame! Or…Close?
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Hamburger menu open/close animation by Jonathan Suh (@jonsuh)
on CodePen.
Jonathan Suh’s open/close animation provides crystal-clear state indication. The transformation leaves no doubt about whether the menu is open or closed.
Keep it Slick and Pro
See the Pen
CSS(SASS) Hamburger Menu Animation by Derek Morash (@derekmorash)
on CodePen.
Derek Morash’s SASS-based animation creates a professional, refined interaction. The subtle movements convey quality and attention to detail.
Stretch and Conquer
See the Pen
Simple animated navigation menu by Oury (@ourystd)
on CodePen.
Oury’s navigation stretches the toggle into a horizontal bar, creating a satisfying expansion effect that reveals menu items progressively.
Sketch it Out, Dude!
See the Pen
Drawn Hamburger Transition by Jesse Couch (@designcouch)
on CodePen.
Jesse Couch’s drawn effect creates the impression of the hamburger being sketched and erased in real-time. This artistic approach adds character to the interface.
Minimalism for the Win
See the Pen
Single Element Animated Hamburger Menu CSS Only by Josh Fabean (@fabean)
on CodePen.
Josh Fabean’s single-element approach proves that effective UI doesn’t need complex markup. The entire menu icon uses just one HTML element.
Elastic Fantastic
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hamburger menu elastic by Davide Cantelli (@cant89)
on CodePen.
Davide Cantelli’s elastic menu creates a stretching effect that feels physical and satisfying. The animation mimics real-world materials.
Keep it Morphing
See the Pen
Morphing Hamburger Menu with CSS by lmgonzalves (@lmgonzalves)
on CodePen.
The morphing menu by lmgonzalves demonstrates how shape transitions can clearly communicate state changes in navigation.
Burger Party by Mikael
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Flippin’ burgers by Mikael Ainalem (@ainalem)
on CodePen.
Mikael Ainalem’s collection of eight different hamburger animations demonstrates the variety possible within this UI pattern. Each animation has distinct personality and behavior.
All-screen All-star
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100% CSS Hamburger Animation by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Álvaro’s full-screen takeover creates an immersive navigation experience that transforms the entire viewport when activated.
Atomic Boom Boom!
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Atomic Hamburger Menu CSS by Alex Coven (@alcoven)
on CodePen.
Alex Coven’s atomic hamburger menu uses a particle effect to transform the icon, creating a memorable and distinctive interaction.
Go Circular or Go Home
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CSS Gooey Menu (Version 4) by Lucas Bebber (@lbebber)
on CodePen.
Click and BOOM! A circle bursts into a bunch of mini-circles, each with its own secret.
Groove with the Moves
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hamburger menu css animation by jun xu (@junxu)
on CodePen.
Animation so smooth, it’ll have you swaying side to side. Feel the rhythm with every click!
Slide and Ride
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Adaptive menu on CSS only by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Slide into the web scene with this snazzy sliding menu. All flash without the dash of heavy code.
Double Trouble: CSS & jQuery
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Hamburger Menu – CSS and jQuery by rv7 (@Rahul_V7)
on CodePen.
Mix a dash of CSS with a sprinkle of jQuery, and voila! A banging burger menu, complete with a header bar.
Highlight the Night
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Click highlighter on menu button using :after by Rhys Matthew (@rhyspacker)
on CodePen.
Kudos to Rhys Matthew for this gem. Click and get that cool highlight effect, all Google Material Design-esque.
Triple Threat
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Hamburger animation & Triple background color using CSS by Himalaya Singh (@himalayasingh)
on CodePen.
From a burger to an X with a whole mood switch for the background. Talk about drama!
Wild Child Burger
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Obnoxious Burger by Adam Kuhn (@cobra_winfrey)
on CodePen.
Adam Kuhn brings the wild side with this burger. Click and get ready for some chaos!
One More for the Road
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Another Hamburger 🍔 Animation | CSS by Joshua Ward (@joshuaward)
on CodePen.
If you’re still hungry for more, check out this piece. It’s another burger with all the right moves.
FAQ on CSS Hamburger Menu Examples
How do I create a basic hamburger menu with CSS?
To create a simple hamburger menu, you need three horizontal lines using CSS. Style a div with three span elements inside, each with properties like width: 100%, height: 3px, and margin: 6px 0. Add CSS menu transformations to animate the icon when clicked.
Do I need JavaScript for a functional hamburger menu?
Not necessarily. While JavaScript offers more control, you can create a pure CSS toggle using the checkbox hack: hide an input[type="checkbox"], style a label as your hamburger icon, then use :checked pseudo-class to reveal your hidden menu CSS when activated.
How can I make my hamburger menu accessible?
For navigation accessibility, add aria-label="Menu" and aria-expanded attributes to your menu button. Ensure keyboard navigation works properly. Include visible focus states and maintain proper touch target sizing (at least 44×44px). Test with screen readers for WCAG compliance.
What’s the best placement for a hamburger menu?
Most mobile-friendly navigation systems place the hamburger in the top-right corner, following navigation UX solutions conventions. Left corner placement works too. Consider your site’s information architecture and test different positions with users to find what works best for your specific design.
How do I animate the hamburger icon when clicked?
Use CSS transform property and transitions to create animated hamburger buttons. Common effects include morphing the three lines into an X shape using rotate() and translate(). Consider animation timing carefully—between 200-300ms usually feels responsive without being distracting.
Can I use CSS frameworks for hamburger menus?
Absolutely! CSS frameworks like Bootstrap, Tailwind, and Foundation offer pre-built menu component libraries with hamburger functionality. These provide cross-browser menu support and responsive behavior right out of the box, saving development time while ensuring good UI/UX prototyping.
How do I handle different screen sizes with my menu?
Use media query breakpoints to show traditional navigation on larger screens and switch to a hamburger for mobile views. This mobile-first design approach ensures your responsive UI patterns adapt seamlessly. Consider when and how your menu transforms based on available screen space.
What are common hamburger menu animation patterns?
Popular menu animation patterns include slide-in from sides, fade-in overlays, and push content. Off-canvas menu designs hide navigation off-screen, while menu overlay design places it above the content. Each pattern affects user interaction feedback differently—choose based on your site’s overall feel.
How can I customize the hamburger icon design?
Beyond the standard three lines, explore SVG menu icons or custom burger icon design using CSS variables for menus. You can adjust thickness, spacing, roundness, and color. Some sites use creative alternatives while maintaining the recognized three-line menu icon pattern users expect.
What testing should I do for my hamburger menu?
Test across devices, browsers, and with real users. Check touch-friendly menus functionality on actual mobile devices. Verify menu state management works correctly when resizing windows. Use browser developer tools to simulate different screens and ensure your responsive navigation bar performs consistently.
Conclusion
Exploring CSS hamburger menu examples reveals how these compact navigation systems have revolutionized mobile web development. From simple three-line menu icons to complex slide-in menu code, the options are virtually endless for creating effective collapsible navigation.
The best menu bar JavaScript integration balances aesthetics with functionality. Remember these key takeaways:
- Menu usability practices should prioritize user needs over flashy animations
- Frontend architecture decisions impact both performance and accessibility
- Progressive enhancement ensures your navigation drawer works even when JavaScript fails
- CSS grid menu layout and flexbox navigation provide powerful formatting options
As frontend libraries continue to evolve, stay current with emerging menu interaction patterns. The humble hamburger has become an essential element in responsive design patterns, recognized instantly by users worldwide.
Whether you prefer HTML5 nav elements or complex web component menus, the perfect solution balances your design vision with proven navigation best practices.
If you liked this article about CSS hamburger menus, you should check out this article about CSS tabs.
There are also similar articles discussing CSS arrows, CSS modals, CSS accordions, and CSS link styles.
And let’s not forget about articles on CSS button hover effects, CSS forms, JavaScript carousels, and CSS background patterns.
