Imagine your website as a bustling city, and nestled within is the quintessential alleyway, the CSS hamburger menu—your digital Speakeasy, if you will, where all your navigation secrets cozy up, away from the dapper main streets of your site.
It’s this compact marvel, often symbolized by three neat lines, that cradles the essence of modern web navigation.
Now, I’m here to be your trusty guide through this concrete jungle of responsive design. We’ll navigate the twists and turns of front-end development together.
I’ll show you how to craft a menu that not only fits snugly into its mobile residence but also elegantly unfolds on wider screens—a masterpiece of user interface design.
By article’s end, expect to hold the blueprint to an accessible, mobile-friendly menu. You’ll grasp why this tiny icon is a titan in UX best practices.
We’ll dissect every layer—from the HTML5 structure to the subtle art of CSS3 animations. Ready to tango with toggle buttons and make your site’s heart beat across all devices? Let’s dive right in!
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.
Ever thought about jazzing up your site with some pizzazz? Dive into this! It’s got bright vibes, sleek transitions, and those hover tricks that’ll have folks saying “Woah!”
The Real MVP Hamburger Menu
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The ultimate hamburger menu by Charles (@CharlesSmart)
on CodePen.
Shoutout to Charles! He crafted this masterpiece.
Lean & Mean Sidebar Action
Stripped-down and straightforward, this sidebar menu is just good ol’ HTML and CSS magic.
Slide it Right with Praveen Bisht
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Slide Out Navigation Menu by Praveen Bisht (@prvnbist)
on CodePen.
A slide-out that’s lowkey but high-key effective. It’s like that unsung hero that doesn’t seek the limelight but gets the job done.
Mobile Menu Vibes with a Central Twist
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Mobile Menu Animation by Stas Melnikov (@melnik909)
on CodePen.
This mobile-friendly gem sits pretty at the bottom. And that hamburger icon? Smack in the middle for all those lefties and righties out there.
Playful Menu Moves Over Here
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Hamburger Menu Animations by Tamino Martinius (@Zaku)
on CodePen.
This place is serving up four unique animations. Wanna see a button morph into an X or arrow? It’s all here.
The Animated Show by Nicholas M. Smith
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Animated Burger/Menu Icon by Nicholas M. Smith (@icutpeople)
on CodePen.
Nicholas whipped up this snazzy animated icon. Kudos!
Dive into the CSS Deep End
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CSS Challenge – Day 2 by Elitsa Dimitrova (@elitsa_dimitrova)
on CodePen.
Looking to level up? This challenge will test your skills and make you a web wizard.
The Artistic Touch by Arjan Jassal
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Material Design Menu by Arjan Jassal (@arjancodes)
on CodePen.
Arjan brought some style with this design-focused menu.
Twist and Shout with this Navigation
Turn heads with this piece – literally. It rotates the main content to showcase a side menu.
Sil van Diepen’s Attention Grabber
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Menu test – css only – effects by Sil van Diepen (@silvandiepen)
on CodePen.
Those menu-icons? A total eyeball magnet. People won’t just scroll past.
Keep It Classic and Centred
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Navbar by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
No fluff. No fuss. Just an effective and animated menu using the classics – HTML and CSS.
The 3D Magic Trick
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3D Hamburger Transformicon by Bennett Feely (@bennettfeely)
on CodePen.
You know what’s rad? This 3D Hamburger Transform icon. If you’re all about giving your peeps a fab experience, Bennett Feely’s got your back. It’s not just a menu-icon, it’s THE menu-icon. Major stand out vibes!
From Burger to Book
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Hamburger Menu to Book Menu by Halil İbrahim Nuroğlu (@haibnu)
on CodePen.
Big props to Halil İbrahim Nuroğlu for turning a hamburger into a literary genius. That’s right, it’s a Hamburger to Book Menu transformation!
Adding Some Dimension
Want a 3D Perspective Hamburger Menu? Say no more! With a sprinkle of CSS and a touch of JavaScript, you’ll be cruising in style.
Toggle with Swag
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Cool hamburger toggle effect by Kriszta (@vajkri)
on CodePen.
Level up your online street cred with this rad hamburger toggle effect. It’s sleek, it’s chic, and it’ll make your site the talk of the web town.
Two-toned Delight
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Hamburger Menu (CSS only) by Youri Pailloux (@Zorlimar)
on CodePen.
Half white, half blue, all awesome. Watch as this menu gracefully stretches from a burger to a full-on header bar. Iconic!
Purple Rain, Purple Icon
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Hamburger Open Animation by Sarath AR (@sarath-ar)
on CodePen.
Sarath AR knows how to make a statement. Check out this purple backdrop that makes the menu-icon pop like a rockstar.
Bounce it with Jack
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Jumping Hamburger Menu Icon by Jack Thomson (@Jackthomsonn)
on CodePen.
Jack Thomson adds a touch of jump to your site with this bouncing CSS menu.
Open Sesame! Or…Close?
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Hamburger menu open/close animation by Jonathan Suh (@jonsuh)
on CodePen.
Peek into this toggle animation magic. And guess what? No JavaScript needed. CSS3’s got it covered!
Keep it Slick and Pro
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CSS(SASS) Hamburger Menu Animation by Derek Morash (@derekmorash)
on CodePen.
Need to keep it simple yet sophisticated? Look no further than this CSS(SASS) Hamburger Menu Animation. Sleek, clean, and pro.
Stretch and Conquer
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Simple animated navigation menu by Oury (@ourystd)
on CodePen.
Talk about awesome sauce! This navigation stretches the toggle into a full-on horizontal bar. All thanks to CSS3 transitions and some rad transforms.
Sketch it Out, Dude!
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Drawn Hamburger Transition by Jesse Couch (@designcouch)
on CodePen.
Colors? Man, they can totally crank up those menu vibes on your site. It’s like a magic spell or something.
Minimalism for the Win
See the Pen
Single Element Animated Hamburger Menu CSS Only by Josh Fabean (@fabean)
on CodePen.
Who said less ain’t more? Dig into this simple hamburger menu icon. No fuss, all style.
Elastic Fantastic
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hamburger menu elastic by Davide Cantelli (@cant89)
on CodePen.
Holla at Davide Cantelli! Dude’s got this killer menu icon that’s all about making your site rock and roll. All while keeping things profesh.
Keep it Morphing
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Morphing Hamburger Menu with CSS by lmgonzalves (@lmgonzalves)
on CodePen.
Pure CSS. Pure HTML. Pure genius. Dive into this simple yet elegant hamburger menu. Perfect for the newbies and pros alike!
Burger Party by Mikael
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Flippin’ burgers by Mikael Ainalem (@ainalem)
on CodePen.
Ever seen eight burgers groove together? Thanks to Mikael Ainalem, now you can! Each icon’s got its own jam.
All-screen All-star
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100% CSS Hamburger Animation by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Who doesn’t like a full-screen surprise? Click and see the magic unravel. All with some CSS swagger.
Atomic Boom Boom!
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Atomic Hamburger Menu CSS by Alex Coven (@alcoven)
on CodePen.
Get ready for a bang with this atomic hamburger menu. It’s not just about looks; that loading animation is something else!
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
How do I create a CSS hamburger menu?
Integrating this nifty icon into your layout means playing with a mix of HTML, CSS, and sometimes a pinch of JavaScript.
Start with a button element, style it to morph into the iconic lines, and employ a checkbox for state tracking, because believe me, toggle buttons? They’re the unsung heroes here.
What’s the best practice for making it accessible?
Sprinkle some ARIA attributes and ensure it’s keyboard navigable. Every droplet of effort here makes your dropdown menu a beacon of inclusivity.
It’s like ensuring there’s a ramp in that digital Speakeasy for everyone. Don’t shy away from screen readers, make friends with them.
Can a CSS hamburger menu be animated?
Absolutely. With CSS3 animations, you can make those lines dance, rotate, or even defy gravity. Transitions and transforms are your allies, turning the mundane into a digital ballet of lines that converge, diverge, or spin into an X because, hey, everyone loves a little drama.
How do I make it work on all devices?
Enter the world of media queries and responsive web design. These tools ensure your menu’s as flexible as a gymnast, looking sharp on all screens.
Remember, you’re the conductor, and each device is an instrument playing a different tune in a harmonious responsive navigation orchestra.
Do I need to use JavaScript for a hamburger menu?
While it’s not compulsory, JavaScript often makes an appearance to handle complex interactions, especially when mingling with dynamic content.
For a simple display toggle, CSS is your wingman, but for advanced features, JS steps in, ready to tango with your toggle navigation script.
How do I style the menu items inside a hamburger menu?
Ah, this is where your creativity takes center stage. Styling lists for site navigation design is key. Make them clear, comfortable to tap, and visually aligned with your brand’s vibe.
Use hover and click effects to give life to interactions—consider them the heartbeat of your user’s journey.
What is the recommended size for the hamburger icon?
Size does matter here—the sweet spot lies in being comfortably tappable but not overwhelming. Roughly 44×44 pixels, give or take, scales well across devices and falls in line with touchscreen interaction standards.
Make sure thumbs and fingers of all sizes can navigate your urban digital landscape with ease.
How does a hamburger menu impact user experience?
Think of it as a hidden gem; it neatens up the interface, keeping your streets clean for a pleasant stroll. But hide too much, and folks might miss the party. Balance is key. Make your user experience smooth, sneak in a hint of anticipation, and watch engagement soar.
What are the alternatives to a CSS hamburger menu for navigation?
Options abound—we’ve got fullscreen menus, sticky headers, and off-canvas drawers in our toolbox. Some say tab bars or bottom navigation are the way to go. Mix and match these patterns, but know your crowd. Different audiences, different strokes.
How do you ensure the hamburger menu loads quickly?
Speed is the name of the game. Optimize your images, use SVGs if you can, and keep an eye on those pesky, invisible render-blocking resources.
Employ minified HTML and CSS, defer or async your JavaScript. Every millisecond you shave off loading time? That’s pure gold in the currency of user experience.
Conclusion
Wrapping up this crafty dive into the CSS hamburger menu, we’ve unraveled its mysteries and armed ourselves with the savvy to stitch it into the fabric of a digital masterpiece. Responsive design isn’t just a buzzword—it’s our credo, the silent backbone of the mobile-friendly menus we’ve meticulously designed.
- Mastery of CSS and HTML? Check.
- Tinkering with JavaScript for that extra flair? Done.
- Ensuring a seamless user experience with accessibility standards? Nailed it.
This isn’t just about building a hidden alley for links to lurk; it’s about crafting a gateway, a portal to the soul of your site—an experience in disguise. As you press on, remember that each line of code, each subtle animation, weaves deeper into the story your website tells. Go on then, be bold. Let’s make those menus more than just functional. Let’s make them memorable.
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.