Tired of boring blue underlined links? Your web pages deserve better.
Links form the backbone of user interaction on websites, yet many developers overlook their styling potential. With just a few lines of CSS, you can transform ordinary hyperlinks into stunning interactive elements that enhance both aesthetics and usability.
This guide showcases practical CSS link styles examples that elevate your web design from basic to professional. Whether you’re building navigation menus or creating button-like links, you’ll discover techniques for:
- Custom link hover effects that provide visual feedback
- Removing link underlines while maintaining accessibility
- Implementing animated link effects for modern interfaces
- Using CSS selectors for links to target specific elements
From simple color changes to complex transition effects, these examples work across major web browsers while following WCAG guidelines for accessibility.
Let’s explore how HTML anchor tag styling can transform your web presence.
CSS link style examples
Subtle Link Animations
See the Pen
Subtle link animations. by Josip Psihistal (@butsuri)
on CodePen.
Bloggers, alert! Seven sleek and subtle animations here to elevate your link game. Engage your readers with style without overwhelming ’em.
Links as Buttons
See the Pen
Link as a Button by CSS-Tricks (@css-tricks)
on CodePen.
Ever thought of making your links wear a button costume? CSS’s got your back. Dress up your links with some snazzy padding and colors, and voilà! Button-lookalike links in the house!
CSS Link Style Compilation
See the Pen
Link Style Compilation by Teegan Lincoln (@teeganlincoln)
on CodePen.
From the minimalistic to the extravagant, this list offers ten unique link styles. Want your links to shine or make that button-link fusion pop? Dive into this treasure trove for some inspo.
Underline Hover Test
See the Pen
Underline hover test by Elwin van den Hazel (@elwinvdhazel)
on CodePen.
A classy underline for your links? Count me in! Entice your visitors with this sleek style and who knows, they might just stick around longer.
Animated Font Weight On Hover
See the Pen
Animated font weight on hover by Jesper Strange Klitgaard Christiansen (@jesperkc)
on CodePen.
Both menu and text links can rock this weight-changing animation. Created with a blend of SCSS and HTML 5, it’s a win-win!
Blinking Link Effect
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Blinking Link Effect by MDS (@mds)
on CodePen.
For the lovers of all things retro, this blinker is pure gold. Hover, and watch the magic unfold.
Squiggle Link Effects
See the Pen
Link Effectz – Squiggle by Geoff Graham (@geoffgraham)
on CodePen.
Music sites, attention! These squiggly links, crafted with CSS3, can amplify the vibe of your page.
Cool CSS3 Link Ideas
See the Pen
Cool CSS3 Link Ideas by Brenden Palmer (@brenden)
on CodePen.
These aren’t just any links. They’re bold, red, and a total crowd-pleaser. Unleash these beasts and watch your site sizzle.
Spring Bounce Hover Effect
See the Pen
Spring/Bounce Hover Effect by Mark Mead (@markmead)
on CodePen.
Picture this: text links bouncing with joy! The highlighter style gets playful when you hover, making it perfect for blogs and articles.
Menu Hover Line Effect
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Menu Hover Line Effect by Mehmet Burak Erman (@mburakerman)
on CodePen.
Crafted with the power of CSS3, these menu lines aren’t just static. They groove, making your navigation oh-so-fun.
Button And Link Styles
See the Pen
Button and link styles by Kyle Hyams (@kylehyams)
on CodePen.
Optimize space and design with these versatile link styles. Attach links to buttons seamlessly and make your design both logical and eye-catching.
Anchor Click Canvas Animation
See the Pen
Anchor Click Canvas Animation by Nick Sheffield (@nicksheffield)
on CodePen.
Imagine giving a high-five, but the hand is a link, and the clap? It’s a color splash. Super artsy!
Underline Link Effect
See the Pen
Underline Link Effect by Eina O (@thelittleblacksmith)
on CodePen.
Who said simple’s boring? This underline? Pure CSS goodness. Elegant and neat.
Slice Link Text
See the Pen
Slice link text by Mattia Astorino (@equinusocio)
on CodePen.
Get this: a link design you can trim, animate, AND it’s all in CSS3. Spicy, right?
CSS3 Keyframes Animation Link Style
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CSS3 Keyframes Animation Link Style by Agustin Sevilla (@auginator)
on CodePen.
Auginator stepped up and brought this animated showstopper. Move over, dance floor!
Multi-line Link Hover Effect
See the Pen
Multi-line Link Hover Effect by Antoinette Janus (@internette)
on CodePen.
Check Antoinette Janus’ vibe! Multi-line hover effects for the win.
Gradient Link Style
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Gradient Link Style by Andy Fought (@andyfought)
on CodePen.
Your website deserves to look fab! Throw in some gradient links and watch the magic unfold.
Menu Link Effect
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Menu Link Effect for WordPress by Ravenous (@ravenous)
on CodePen.
You’ve seen it, you’ve loved it. Rolling text effect? Classic and oh-so-stylish.
Links With Marginalia Notes
See the Pen
Links with Marginalia Notes, version 2 by Amelia Bellamy-Royds (@AmeliaBR)
on CodePen.
A fresh twist on links from The Correspondent. Responsive, accessible, and all sorts of fancy.
Anchor Hover Effects
See the Pen
Anchor Hover Effects by Sim G (@simgooder)
on CodePen.
Body typography getting a makeover with these hover effects. The CSS pseudo magic’s real here.
Inline Link Styles
See the Pen
Inline Link Styles by Jeff McCarthy (@jeffmccarthyesq)
on CodePen.
Want clever, gorgeous links? Well, look no further. These inlines? Total game-changers.
Pure CSS Link with Rainbow Underline Effect
See the Pen
Pure CSS Link with Rainbow Underline Effect by freefrontend.com (@cssparadise)
on CodePen.
Dark backdrop. Rainbow underline. Total mood-setter. And guess what? All CSS.
Jumping Link Hover Effect
See the Pen
Jumping link hovers by Bennett Feely (@bennettfeely)
on CodePen.
Bennett Feely’s masterpiece. Links that jump on hover. Customize? Absolutely!
Animated Gradient Underline For Link Hover State
See the Pen
Animated Gradient Underline for Link Hover State by George W. Park (@GeorgePark)
on CodePen.
Change colors with a flick of a CSS variable. Link text and underline? More dynamic than ever!
Styling Links
Diving deep into link styling? Understand the pseudo-class magic. It’s essential, trust me.
Link Hover Effects
See the Pen
Link Hover Effects by Peiwen Lu (@P233)
on CodePen.
Oh man, you’ve gotta check these out! Not only do they jazz up your site, but they’re like the little black dress for your links. Sleek, functional, and super versatile.
CSS Link Effects
See the Pen
css link effects, by sam van der Heijden by Sam van der Heijden (@samvdh)
on CodePen.
Sam? Yeah, he’s a genius. Delivers on hover styles without the fuss. These are for those “less is more” days, fitting snug on any part of your site.
Link Style Tests
See the Pen
Link Style Tests by Nick Ciliak (@nickcil)
on CodePen.
Think of these as the Robin to your Batman. Elevating your content game? These got your back.
Link Highlight Hover/Click Effect
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Link Highlight Hover/Click Effect by Emily Hayman (@eehayman)
on CodePen.
Kudos to Emily Hayman! She crafted this beauty. Tailor-make it? Sure thing!
CSS Link Effects By uNick
See the Pen
CSS link effects by uNickHow (@uNickHow)
on CodePen.
Choices, choices! You’ve got 18 killer hover effects, each with its own flair. Dive in, mix it up!
Strikethrough Link Hover Effect
See the Pen
Strikethrough hover-effect by Artyom (@artyom-ivanov)
on CodePen.
Artyom’s gift to the world? A strikethrough that’s more swank than simple. Mold it? Of course!
Text Underline Hover Effects
See the Pen
Text underline hover effects by Misha Heesakkers (@MishaHahaha)
on CodePen.
Make those links pop and sparkle. Give your audience some eye candy while they browse. Get ready to see those “wow” reactions.
Laser Revealed Title Link
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Laser revealed title link by JFarrow (@JFarrow)
on CodePen.
Laser show on a web page? Oh, JFarrow did that! Play around, get wild.
Magnetic Link Style CSS UI Effect
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Magnetic UI effect by Ryan Yu (@iamryanyu)
on CodePen.
Dabble in a mix of CSS3 and a sprinkle of Javascript. It’s interactive, fun, and fresh!
Link Hover Arrow Idea
See the Pen
Link Hover Arrow Idea by Gabrielle Wee (@gabriellewee)
on CodePen.
Backgrounds can be game changers. This one? It’s like a comfy cushion for your links with a splash of cool blue.
Cool CSS link hover animation
See the Pen
Cool CSS3 Link Ideas by Brenden Palmer (@brenden)
on CodePen.
Shout out to Brenden Palmer! Ever wanted your link to dance? Here’s your chance.
Single Element Link Styling
See the Pen
Single Element Link Styling by Alex Bergin (@abergin)
on CodePen.
Spotlight on those crucial links! Guide your audience, grab their attention, and make it count.
Three Fancy Link Hover Effects
See the Pen
Three Fancy Link Hover Effects by James Hancock (@jhancock532)
on CodePen.
Three’s a charm, and James Hancock knows it. Customize? Say no more!
FAQ on CSS Link Styles Examples
How do I remove the underline from links?
Use the text-decoration property:
a {
text-decoration: none;
}
This CSS property removes the default underline while maintaining the link’s functionality. Consider adding alternative visual cues for accessibility to ensure users can still identify links.
How can I create hover effects for links?
Use the :hover pseudo-class:
a:hover {
color: #ff6b00;
font-weight: bold;
}
This link state styling activates when users hover over links. Combine with transition effects for smoother interactions between states.
What are link pseudo-classes and how do I use them?
Link pseudo-selectors target different link states:
a:link { color: blue; }
a:visited { color: purple; }
a:hover { color: red; }
a:active { color: orange; }
Remember LVHA order (Link, Visited, Hover, Active) for proper CSS selector for links functionality.
How can I style links to look like buttons?
Apply button-like links styling:
a.button {
padding: 10px 15px;
background-color: #4CAF50;
color: white;
border-radius: 4px;
display: inline-block;
}
This transforms anchor elements into interactive buttons while maintaining semantic HTML structure.
How do I add icons to my links?
Use the ::before pseudo-element:
a.external::before {
content: "↗️";
margin-right: 5px;
}
This technique enables link icon integration without modifying your HTML structure. Perfect for indicating external links.
How can I create animated underlines for links?
Use hover state animations:
a {
text-decoration: none;
position: relative;
}
a::after {
content: '';
position: absolute;
width: 0;
height: 2px;
bottom: 0;
left: 0;
background-color: currentColor;
transition: width 0.3s;
}
a:hover::after {
width: 100%;
}
How do I style visited links differently?
Use the :visited pseudo-class:
a:visited {
color: #800080;
}
This visited link colors technique helps users track their navigation history. Browser security restrictions limit styling options to protect user privacy.
How can I make my link styles accessible?
Focus on contrast ratios:
a {
color: #0066CC; /* 4.5:1 ratio on white */
}
a:focus {
outline: 2px solid #000;
}
Include focus states for keyboard navigation and maintain sufficient color contrast following WCAG guidelines.
How do I create links with gradient backgrounds?
Apply gradient link backgrounds:
a.gradient {
background-image: linear-gradient(45deg, #ff6b6b, #ffa35f);
padding: 5px 10px;
color: white;
border-radius: 4px;
}
Enhance with box-shadow effects for depth and dimension.
How can I adapt link styles for mobile devices?
Use media queries:
@media (max-width: 768px) {
a {
padding: 12px; /* Larger touch target */
}
}
This creates mobile-friendly link styles with larger touch targets. Consider user interface elements guidelines for optimal mobile-first design.
Conclusion
Mastering CSS link styles examples transforms ordinary websites into engaging interactive experiences. Through proper A tag customization and hypertext reference styling, your links become powerful design elements rather than mere navigation tools.
The techniques we’ve explored—from link transformation effects to clickable element styling—work harmoniously within front-end frameworks like Bootstrap or with vanilla CSS. By implementing these patterns, you create a visual language that guides users intuitively through your content.
Remember these key takeaways:
- Link behavior modifications boost user engagement
- Link opacity changes and text shadows add visual depth
- Link state indicators provide crucial feedback
- Link contrast ratios ensure everyone can use your site
As web design patterns evolve, experiment with modern link aesthetics while adhering to front-end development best practices. Your newly styled links won’t just look better—they’ll work better too.
The difference between amateur and professional websites often comes down to these details. Start implementing these link styling best practices today.
If you liked this article about CSS link styles, you should check out this article about CSS hamburger menus.
There are also similar articles discussing CSS tabs, CSS arrows, CSS modals, and CSS accordions.
And let’s not forget about articles on CSS button hover effects, CSS forms, JavaScript carousels, and CSS background patterns.
