Tired of cluttered web interfaces? CSS tabs offer an elegant solution for organizing content while enhancing user experience.
As a frontend development tool, tab navigation has become essential for modern web design patterns. Whether you’re creating a portfolio or an e-commerce site, mastering tabbed content sections can dramatically improve how visitors interact with your pages.
This guide explores 15 stunning CSS tabs examples that work across browsers like Chrome and Firefox. You’ll discover:
- Pure CSS tabs requiring no JavaScript
- Responsive tabs that adapt to mobile screens
- Horizontal tabs with creative transition effects
- Vertical tabs for space-efficient navigation
Drawing from resources like CodePen, CSS-Tricks, and MDN Web Docs, these examples demonstrate best practices for creating tab-based website design that’s both functional and visually appealing.
By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to implement custom tab designs in your projects, elevating your frontend UI to professional standards.
CSS tabs examples
Animated Tab Magic
See the Pen
Pure CSS Tabs by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Ah, look at this! Gorgeous animations as you toggle from one tab to another, and it even jazzes up the content!
Smooth and Stylish Tabs
See the Pen
Tabbed Content Section by katiekatsup (@katiekatsup)
on CodePen.
Allen Brady totally nails it with this elegant CSS tab design. It’s got that pro feel, right? Perfect for, well, anything online.
User-Friendly Tabs for All
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Pure CSS Accessible Tabs by Louis Lazaris (@impressivewebs)
on CodePen.
Here’s one for everyone. Move around with arrow keys after you’ve focused on this component. And guess what? No JavaScript, all pure CSS goodness!
Texts & Icons Fusion
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Material Tabs & Pages by Reza (@reza-h)
on CodePen.
Pretty straightforward with a blend of icons and text. It just makes your choice clearer.
Close ‘Em Up Tabs
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Exploding CSS Tabs by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Close the tab and watch the magic. Yep, that’s an animation right there!
Outside-the-Box CSS Tab
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II just another Css tabs (:checked) by Kseso (@Kseso)
on CodePen.
Who says tabs are boring? This one’s got flair, effects, and screams innovation. More than just navigation, it’s a treat for the eyes.
Tabs with a Side of Icons
See the Pen
Featured Tabs by Richard Gonyeau (@RGonyeau)
on CodePen.
Richard Gonyeau’s creation. Icons added for that extra oomph. Customize? Of course, you can!
Moody CSS Tabs
See the Pen
CSS Tabs Revisited by Eric Sadowski (@ejsado)
on CodePen.
Into darker vibes? Check out this CSS masterpiece by Eric Sadowski. All this awesomeness, and it’s just built on HTML and CSS.
Icon-Loaded Tabs
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Pure CSS Tabs With Indicator by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Want tabs with icons? This is your go-to!
The Understated Tab
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Simple CSS tabs with shadow by Nazar Ilkiv (@ekscentrysytet)
on CodePen.
Simple. Minimal. Perfect as a canvas for whatever theme you’re thinking.
Hue-Shift Tabs
See the Pen
Pure CSS Color Tabs (no label) by ari (@tari)
on CodePen.
ari brings this lively tab design to the table. Colors that change and dance. Want to make it your own? Go for it!
The Folder-Inspired Tab
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css tabs by massimo (@_massimo)
on CodePen.
Remember those files and folders from the 90s? This design brings it back, but with style.
Zoom In, Zoom Out Tabs
See the Pen
Tabby Tabs by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Ever seen tabs that zoom? Check these out. Clean, minimalistic, and yep, all done with pure HTML and CSS. Cool, right?
The Chic Tab
See the Pen
Pure CSS Tabs Widget by SitePoint (@SitePoint)
on CodePen.
Oh, snap! That navy blue tab on a clean white canvas? Pops out like your fave sneakers on a sunny day. Click on it, and bam! All the secrets inside revealed. Kinda like magic.
Skyscrapers of Tabs
See the Pen
Vertical tabs with smooth animation by Benjamin Koehler (@codesuey)
on CodePen.
So, Benjamin Koehler got the memo. He knew tabs don’t always have to be horizontal. Picture this: Vertical tabs, smooth dance-like animations, and customization? You got it, mate!
The Foodie’s Delight
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Recipe card with css tabs by Gisete Kindahl (@gk)
on CodePen.
If you’re all about those drool-worthy food blogs or are into dishing out recipes, this design’s calling your name. Imagine showcasing your grandma’s secret apple pie recipe in a swanky tabbed style. But hey, feel free to use it for whatever floats your boat.
Flexin’ Those Tabs
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Responsive pure CSS tabs & accordion by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
No JS, all CSS, fully responsive. On your phone? It turns into those accordion-style tabs. Plus, there’s this fade animation when you hop between tabs. Cool beans, right?
The Old-School Browser Vibe
Pure CSS doing wonders here. Hover over, see a pic and some text, click on the embedded links. And for each page? There’s a working scroll bar! Nostalgia, but make it modern.
Tab Dance
See the Pen
Adaptive tabs by Lewi Hussey (@Lewitje)
on CodePen.
Props to Lewi Hussey for this! Animated Adaptive tabs, sliding and gliding. And hey, if you’re feeling crafty, go ahead and tweak it.
The Tab That Likes Surprises
Hover over and voila! Out pops the hidden menu, like a jack in the box, but way cooler.
Pure Minimalism
See the Pen
Pure CSS Tabs by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Less is more. Flat theme. Only CSS. A beauty in its simplest form.
Upside Down Tabs?
Inverted means they’re at the bottom. Increase the text size and watch the tab unveil itself. Fresh perspective on the classic Sliding Doors technique.
The Animated Artist
See the Pen
Animated Tab Bar by abxlfazl khxrshidi (@abxlfazl)
on CodePen.
SVG Animated Tab Bar crafted by the genius abxlfazl khxrshidi. Visual art in tab form. If you want to add your own twist, you’re welcome!
Layered Goodness
Alright, here’s the tea. Imagine having tabs within tabs, like inception but way cooler. We’re talking sub-navigation magic, and guess what? Only CSS and those cutesy nested unordered lists. Pure brilliance.
Center Stage Tabs
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Pure CSS Tabs by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Ever seen those tabs that fade from one to the other? Yup, that’s the vibe here. And when you land on one, it’s got this snazzy background color indicator, kinda like giving you a nod of acknowledgment.
Designer’s Delight
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Tab bar active animation – CSS only by Heiko Bublitz (@he1ko)
on CodePen.
Shoutout to Heiko Bublitz. Dude spent ages getting this tab template all jazzed up. If you own a store, this one’s like having a personal stylist for your webpage. Lookin’ fly!
Elastic Fantastic
See the Pen
Tabs with elastic border by Irem Lopsum (@iremlopsum)
on CodePen.
Made by the genius Irem Lopsum, these tabs aren’t just static, mate! They’ve got this elastic border thing going on. And if you’re in the mood to mix things up, you can tailor it to your style.
The Showstopper
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Add file tab bar animation by Live_Fast_Die_Last (@codepen_codepen)
on CodePen.
Tabs so good they’ll make heads turn. Seriously, this one’s a magnet for customers.
The Iconic Choice
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responsive tabs by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Keeping it minimal and sleek with some cool icons to boot. And there’s this neat top indicator when you’re on a tab. Makes things pop and shows that vertical height? It matters.
Fluid Flow
See the Pen
Fluid tab bar by Shyam (@Shtam3x)
on CodePen.
Crafted by Shyam, it’s the tab template that means business. Get this, and watch the customers stream in.
Pure Pizzazz
See the Pen
CSS3 Tabs by Sorax by YozhEzhi (@YozhEzhi)
on CodePen.
Who knew something so basic could be so boss? Sorax sure did. We’re talking tabs, the CSS3 way.
Beaming Tabs
See the Pen
Light & Sexy Tabs by Alex Lime (@alexlime)
on CodePen.
Alex Lime’s creation here? A stunner! It’s like the red carpet outfit for your webpage. Customers will feel like VIPs.
Rainbow Rider
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css tabs clip-path by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Cool tabs with a gradient that’s just… chef’s kiss!
The Top Tier
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Material Expanding Overlay – Top-Aligned Tabs by Tony Tomlinson (@ibb)
on CodePen.
Stop the search, Tony Tomlinson’s got your back with this pro tab template. It’s fresh, it’s modern, it’s everything you want.
Simple Elegance
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Simple pure css tabs by Sean B (@seanysean)
on CodePen.
You don’t need frills when you’ve got style. Just CSS, pure and unadulterated.
Tab Tumble
See the Pen
Pure CSS Tabs that scale down to menu by Álvaro (@alvarotrigo)
on CodePen.
Who doesn’t love a good slide-down animation in their responsive design? Tabs that move with finesse.
Snapshot Sensation
See the Pen
Tab bar photo/video switch by Aaron Iker (@aaroniker)
on CodePen.
Get your customers hooked with tabs that toggle between photos and videos. Kudos to Aaron Iker!
High & Mighty
See the Pen
Transitioning Between Variable Heights with CSS Tabs by Joseph Fusco (@fusco)
on CodePen.
Crafted with love by Joseph Fusco, this one adjusts and transitions between different tab heights. Say goodbye to monotony.
Android-esque Elegance
See the Pen
Android Tab Bar in CSS by Niall Paterson (@paterson)
on CodePen.
This is Niall Paterson’s masterpiece – Tabs that breathe style, reminiscent of Android vibes.
Tab it Right
See the Pen
NoScript Tabs Menu with Images by Michael Rosata (@mrosata)
on CodePen.
Michael Rosata’s got the formula down pat. Modern tabs that customers will love at first click.
Map it Out
See the Pen
Materialize-Tab/Googlemap by Ian (@zzzian)
on CodePen.
Kudos to Ian! Tabs that integrate with Google maps? Mind. Blown.
FAQ on CSS Tabs Examples
How do I create CSS tabs without using JavaScript?
To create pure CSS tabs, use the :target pseudo-class or checkbox hack with labels. Structure your HTML with radio inputs and corresponding content divs. Style with CSS selectors to show/hide tab content containers based on input states. This CSS-only tabs approach works well for simple implementations while ensuring accessibility.
What’s the best way to make tabs responsive?
For mobile-friendly tabs, use flexbox tabs layout or grid-based tabs with media queries. Convert horizontal tabs to vertical tabs at smaller breakpoints, or transform into an accordion tabs pattern. Platforms like Bootstrap and Tailwind CSS offer responsive tabbed interface components that adapt seamlessly across devices.
How can I add animations to my CSS tabs?
Implement tab transition effects using CSS transitions or animations. Add properties like transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out; to your tab content switching elements. Tab animation effects like fade, slide, or rotate enhance user experience. CodePen has numerous tab hover effects examples created by skilled frontend developers.
What HTML structure works best for CSS tabs?
The optimal structure includes a container with tab navigation elements (buttons or links) and corresponding tabbed sections. Use appropriate ARIA attributes (role=”tablist”, role=”tab”, role=”tabpanel”) for web accessibility standards compliance. MDN Web Docs provides detailed guidance on semantic HTML structure for tabs.
How do I style the active tab differently?
Style tab active states using the :active, :focus, or :checked (for radio inputs) pseudo-classes. Create visual tab indicators with borders, background colors, or underlines. Custom tab design often includes changing text color and weight. For inspiration, check CSS-Tricks and Frontend Mentor examples.
Can I nest tabs within tabs?
Yes, nested tabs are possible but require careful planning. Structure your HTML with clear parent-child relationships and use specific CSS selectors to target each level. Tab UI component libraries like jQuery UI, React tabs, and Angular tabs component offer built-in support for nested interfaces.
How do I ensure my tabs are accessible?
Follow WCAG guidelines by using proper semantic HTML, keyboard navigation support, and ARIA roles/attributes. Ensure tab button styling includes visible focus states and adequate color contrast. Frontend Masters courses cover implementing ARIA-compliant tabs that work with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
What are the most popular tab design trends?
Current trends include modern tab design with minimal borders, subtle shadows, and microinteractions. Material Design guidelines influence many contemporary tab styling techniques. Ghost tabs (transparent until hover/active), underlined tabs, and contained tabs (with background) dominate tab design inspiration galleries on Dev.to and Smashing Magazine.
How do I troubleshoot cross-browser tab issues?
Test in Chrome DevTools and Firefox Developer Edition to identify rendering inconsistencies. Common issues include flexbox/grid support differences and transition bugs. Use vendor prefixes or feature detection. Stack Overflow discussions often address specific cross-browser compatible tabs challenges encountered by web designers.
Can I combine tabs with other UI patterns?
Yes, tabs work well with accordions, carousels, and modals for complex content organization tabs. Create hybrid components like expandable tabs or tabbed modals. Frontend frameworks like Vue.js tabs, Semantic UI, and Foundation framework provide flexible options for combining website section organizers with other UI elements.
Conclusion
Exploring CSS tabs examples has shown us the versatility of this fundamental web interface tabs technique. From sliding tabs to tab panel styling, the possibilities are endless for creating intuitive navigation systems.
Frontend UI patterns like tabs have transformed how we approach content toggle mechanisms. By implementing the examples from this guide, you’ll join countless UX designers who rely on tabbed interfaces to enhance site usability.
Remember these key takeaways:
- Tab-based user interfaces improve organization while reducing visual clutter
- Code snippets for tabs can be customized to match any design aesthetic
- Browser-supported tab features continue to evolve with web standards
Whether you prefer tools like Bulma CSS, Semantic UI, or hand-coded solutions, the right tabbed navigation menu can dramatically improve user engagement.
For deeper learning, explore resources on A List Apart, join discussions on Dev.to, or experiment with CSS preprocessors to create your own innovative tab layout techniques.
If you liked this article about CSS tabs, you should check out this article about CSS hamburger menus.
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.
