3+ Simple Steps to Build an Animated Website Navigation Bar
Learn 3+ simple steps to build a stunning Animated Website Navigation Bar with hover effects and color enhancements for a dynamic experience.
Table of contents
An engaging navigation bar can significantly enhance the user experience of a website. When you integrate animations into your website’s navigation, it adds a touch of modernity and interactivity that captures attention. An Animated Website Navigation Bar does more than just guide users; it turns a functional feature into a design element that complements your site’s aesthetics.
In this article, we’ll walk through how you can create a visually appealing and functional navigation bar with animation effects. Whether it’s a colour effect navbar, a menu navbar, or an animated navbar HTML CSS, you’ll learn how to make a navigation bar that’s both dynamic and user-friendly.
Why an Animated Website Navigation Bar Matters
A navigation bar is the cornerstone of your website’s structure, guiding users to the most important sections of your site. Adding animation to it can elevate its role, making navigation seamless and enjoyable. An Animated Website Navigation Bar not only helps users find what they’re looking for but also enhances the overall visual appeal of your website.
Animations can also subtly communicate interactivity. For instance, when you hover over a menu navbar, a small animation can indicate that it’s clickable, improving usability. Similarly, using a colour effect navbar can create a vibrant transition that aligns with your brand’s theme. By incorporating animation, you ensure your navigation bar stands out while maintaining its usability.
Preparing to Build Your Animated Navigation Bar
Structuring the Navbar
The first step in creating an Animated Website Navigation Bar is structuring it properly using HTML. Your navbar should include clear links to the essential sections of your website. Whether it’s a dropdown menu, a horizontal bar, or a minimalist style, the structure forms the backbone of your design.
Adding Animation
Once the structure is in place, CSS comes into play to bring animations to life. CSS properties like transition, transform, and keyframes are vital for achieving effects like sliding menus, color transitions, and hover effects. An animated navbar HTML CSS design uses these properties to create smooth and visually pleasing interactions.
Section for Code
Include your animated navbar HTML CSS code here for structuring and animating your navigation bar.
Enhancing the Design with Colour Effects
One way to make your navigation bar stand out is by using a colour effect navbar. This involves creating smooth color transitions when users hover over menu items. For example, a gradient effect can dynamically shift colors, drawing attention to the navigation bar while keeping it aligned with your site’s theme.
To implement this, CSS hover pseudo-classes and transitions are often used. You can also experiment with gradient animations that move across the navigation bar, adding a layer of sophistication. When done correctly, these effects can transform a basic navbar into an interactive design element.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>LayakCoder</title>
<style>
html {
box-sizing: border-box;
--bgColorMenu : #1d1d27;
--duration: .7s;
}
html *,
html *::before,
html *::after {
box-sizing: inherit;
}
body{
margin: 0;
display: flex;
height: 100vh;
overflow: hidden;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
background-color: #ffb457;
-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;
transition: background-color var(--duration);
}
.menu{
margin: 0;
display: flex;
/* Works well with 100% width */
width: 32.05em;
font-size: 1.5em;
padding: 0 2.85em;
position: relative;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
background-color: var(--bgColorMenu);
}
.menu__item{
all: unset;
flex-grow: 1;
z-index: 100;
display: flex;
cursor: pointer;
position: relative;
border-radius: 50%;
align-items: center;
will-change: transform;
justify-content: center;
padding: 0.55em 0 0.85em;
transition: transform var(--timeOut , var(--duration));
}
.menu__item::before{
content: "";
z-index: -1;
width: 4.2em;
height: 4.2em;
border-radius: 50%;
position: absolute;
transform: scale(0);
transition: background-color var(--duration), transform var(--duration);
}
.menu__item.active {
transform: translate3d(0, -.8em , 0);
}
.menu__item.active::before{
transform: scale(1);
background-color: var(--bgColorItem);
}
.icon{
width: 2.6em;
height: 2.6em;
stroke: white;
fill: transparent;
stroke-width: 1pt;
stroke-miterlimit: 10;
stroke-linecap: round;
stroke-linejoin: round;
stroke-dasharray: 400;
}
.menu__item.active .icon {
animation: strok 1.5s reverse;
}
@keyframes strok {
100% {
stroke-dashoffset: 400;
}
}
.menu__border{
left: 0;
bottom: 99%;
width: 10.9em;
height: 2.4em;
position: absolute;
clip-path: url(#menu);
will-change: transform;
background-color: var(--bgColorMenu);
transition: transform var(--timeOut , var(--duration));
}
.svg-container {
width: 0;
height: 0;
}
@media screen and (max-width: 50em) {
.menu{
font-size: .8em;
}
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<menu class="menu">
<button class="menu__item active" style="--bgColorItem: #ff8c00;">
<svg class="icon" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
<path d="M3.8,6.6h16.4" />
<path d="M20.2,12.1H3.8" />
<path d="M3.8,17.5h16.4" />
</svg>
</button>
<button class="menu__item" style="--bgColorItem: #f54888;">
<svg class="icon" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
<path d="M6.7,4.8h10.7c0.3,0,0.6,0.2,0.7,0.5l2.8,7.3c0,0.1,0,0.2,0,0.3v5.6c0,0.4-0.4,0.8-0.8,0.8H3.8
C3.4,19.3,3,19,3,18.5v-5.6c0-0.1,0-0.2,0.1-0.3L6,5.3C6.1,5,6.4,4.8,6.7,4.8z" />
<path d="M3.4,12.9H8l1.6,2.8h4.9l1.5-2.8h4.6" />
</svg>
</button>
<button class="menu__item" style="--bgColorItem: #4343f5;">
<svg class="icon" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
<path d="M3.4,11.9l8.8,4.4l8.4-4.4" />
<path d="M3.4,16.2l8.8,4.5l8.4-4.5" />
<path d="M3.7,7.8l8.6-4.5l8,4.5l-8,4.3L3.7,7.8z" />
</button>
<button class="menu__item" style="--bgColorItem: #e0b115;">
<svg class="icon" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
<path d="M5.1,3.9h13.9c0.6,0,1.2,0.5,1.2,1.2v13.9c0,0.6-0.5,1.2-1.2,1.2H5.1c-0.6,0-1.2-0.5-1.2-1.2V5.1
C3.9,4.4,4.4,3.9,5.1,3.9z" />
<path d="M4.2,9.3h15.6" />
<path d="M9.1,9.5v10.3" />
</button>
<button class="menu__item" style="--bgColorItem:#65ddb7;">
<svg class="icon" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
<path d="M5.1,3.9h13.9c0.6,0,1.2,0.5,1.2,1.2v13.9c0,0.6-0.5,1.2-1.2,1.2H5.1c-0.6,0-1.2-0.5-1.2-1.2V5.1
C3.9,4.4,4.4,3.9,5.1,3.9z" />
<path d="M5.5,20l9.9-9.9l4.7,4.7" />
<path d="M10.4,8.8c0,0.9-0.7,1.6-1.6,1.6c-0.9,0-1.6-0.7-1.6-1.6C7.3,8,8,7.3,8.9,7.3C9.7,7.3,10.4,8,10.4,8.8z" />
</svg>
</button>
<div class="menu__border"></div>
</menu>
<div class="svg-container">
<svg viewBox="0 0 202.9 45.5">
<clipPath id="menu" clipPathUnits="objectBoundingBox" transform="scale(0.0049285362247413 0.021978021978022)">
<path d="M6.7,45.5c5.7,0.1,14.1-0.4,23.3-4c5.7-2.3,9.9-5,18.1-10.5c10.7-7.1,11.8-9.2,20.6-14.3c5-2.9,9.2-5.2,15.2-7
c7.1-2.1,13.3-2.3,17.6-2.1c4.2-0.2,10.5,0.1,17.6,2.1c6.1,1.8,10.2,4.1,15.2,7c8.8,5,9.9,7.1,20.6,14.3c8.3,5.5,12.4,8.2,18.1,10.5
c9.2,3.6,17.6,4.2,23.3,4H6.7z" />
</clipPath>
</svg>
</div>
</body>
</html>
Making the Navbar Interactive with Menu Animations
Interactivity plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of an Animated Website Navigation Bar. A menu navbar with animations, such as sliding dropdowns or expanding menu items, can enhance usability while making navigation more intuitive.
For instance, when a user clicks on the menu icon in a mobile-friendly navbar, an animation can smoothly expand the menu. This effect not only looks appealing but also communicates functionality, ensuring users understand the interaction.
Section for Code
menu navbar animation code here for creating interactive menu designs.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>Document</title>
<style>
@import url("https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter:wght@300;400;500;600;700;800;900&display=swap");
*,
*:after,
*:before {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
body {
font-family: "Inter", sans-serif;
line-height: 1.5;
min-height: 100vh;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
background-color: #000000;
}
.menu {
padding: 2rem;
background-color: #fff;
position: relative;
width: calc(130px + 4 * 70px + 4rem);
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
border-radius: 20px 20px;
box-shadow: 0 10px 25px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.075);
}
.link {
display: inline-flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
width: 70px;
height: 50px;
border-radius: 99em;
position: relative;
z-index: 1;
overflow: hidden;
transform-origin: center left;
transition: width 0.2s ease-in;
text-decoration: none;
color: inherit;
}
.link:before {
position: absolute;
z-index: -1;
content: "";
display: block;
border-radius: 99em;
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
top: 0;
transform: translateX(100%);
transition: transform 0.2s ease-in;
transform-origin: center right;
background-color: #eee;
}
.link:hover, .link:focus {
outline: 0;
width: 130px;
}
.link:hover:before,
.link:hover .link-title, .link:focus:before,
.link:focus .link-title {
transform: translateX(0);
opacity: 1;
}
.link-icon {
width: 28px;
height: 28px;
display: block;
flex-shrink: 0;
left: 18px;
position: absolute;
}
.link-icon svg {
width: 28px;
height: 28px;
}
.link-title {
transform: translateX(100%);
transition: transform 0.2s ease-in;
transform-origin: center right;
display: block;
text-align: center;
text-indent: 28px;
width: 100%;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="menu">
<a href="#" class="link">
<span class="link-icon">
<!-- icon -->
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="192" height="192" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 256 256">
<rect width="256" height="256" fill="none"></rect>
<path d="M213.3815,109.61945,133.376,36.88436a8,8,0,0,0-10.76339.00036l-79.9945,72.73477A8,8,0,0,0,40,115.53855V208a8,8,0,0,0,8,8H208a8,8,0,0,0,8-8V115.53887A8,8,0,0,0,213.3815,109.61945Z" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="16"></path>
</svg>
<!-- /icon -->
</span>
<span class="link-title">Home</span>
</a>
<a href="#" class="link">
<span class="link-icon">
<!-- icon -->
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="192" height="192" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 256 256">
<rect width="256" height="256" fill="none"></rect>
<polyline points="76.201 132.201 152.201 40.201 216 40 215.799 103.799 123.799 179.799" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="16"></polyline>
<line x1="100" y1="156" x2="160" y2="96" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="16"></line>
<path d="M82.14214,197.45584,52.201,227.397a8,8,0,0,1-11.31371,0L28.603,215.11268a8,8,0,0,1,0-11.31371l29.94113-29.94112a8,8,0,0,0,0-11.31371L37.65685,141.65685a8,8,0,0,1,0-11.3137l12.6863-12.6863a8,8,0,0,1,11.3137,0l76.6863,76.6863a8,8,0,0,1,0,11.3137l-12.6863,12.6863a8,8,0,0,1-11.3137,0L93.45584,197.45584A8,8,0,0,0,82.14214,197.45584Z" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="16"></path>
</svg>
<!-- /icon -->
</span>
<span class="link-title">Games</span>
</a>
<a href="#" class="link">
<span class="link-icon">
<!-- icon -->
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="192" height="192" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 256 256">
<rect width="256" height="256" fill="none"></rect>
<path d="M45.42853,176.99811A95.95978,95.95978,0,1,1,79.00228,210.5717l.00023-.001L45.84594,220.044a8,8,0,0,1-9.89-9.89l9.47331-33.15657Z" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="16"></path>
<line x1="96" y1="112" x2="160" y2="112" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="16"></line>
<line x1="96" y1="144" x2="160" y2="144" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="16"></line>
</svg>
<!-- /icon -->
</span>
<span class="link-title">Chat</span>
</a>
<a href="#" class="link">
<span class="link-icon">
<!-- icon -->
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="192" height="192" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 256 256">
<rect width="256" height="256" fill="none"></rect>
<circle cx="116" cy="116" r="84" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="16"></circle>
<line x1="175.39356" y1="175.40039" x2="223.99414" y2="224.00098" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="16"></line>
</svg>
<!-- /icon -->
</span>
<span class="link-title">Search</span>
</a>
<a href="#" class="link">
<span class="link-icon">
<!-- icon -->
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="192" height="192" fill="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 256 256">
<rect width="256" height="256" fill="none"></rect>
<circle cx="128" cy="96" r="64" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-miterlimit="10" stroke-width="16"></circle>
<path d="M30.989,215.99064a112.03731,112.03731,0,0,1,194.02311.002" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="16"></path>
</svg>
<!-- /icon -->
</span>
<span class="link-title">Profile</span>
</a>
</div>
</body>
</html>
Steps to Build an Animated Website Navigation Bar
Step 1: Create a Base Structure
Start by designing the base structure of your Animated Website Navigation Bar using semantic HTML. Ensure the layout is clean and includes necessary links, dropdowns, or icons.
Step 2: Apply Animations
Use CSS to add animations like hover effects, transitions, or sliding menus. Experiment with properties like transform and opacity for dynamic effects. For instance, you can implement a colour effect navbar by using gradient transitions.
Step 3: Test Responsiveness
Ensure your navigation bar looks and functions well on different screen sizes. Media queries in CSS can help you adjust the layout and animations for mobile devices. A responsive design ensures that the Animated Website Navigation Bar enhances usability across all platforms.
Optimizing the Animated Website Navigation Bar
To ensure your navigation bar performs well and complements your website’s design, follow these best practices:
Keep Animations Subtle: Avoid overloading your navbar with too many animations. Subtle effects like a colour effect navbar or hover transitions are often more effective.
Focus on Performance: Optimize your CSS animations to ensure they don’t affect the website’s loading time.
Maintain Usability: Ensure animations don’t interfere with the navbar’s functionality. For example, dropdown menus should open smoothly without delays.
Conclusion
An Animated Website Navigation Bar is more than just a design element—it’s a functional feature that can enhance user engagement and improve navigation. Whether you’re adding a colour effect navbar, designing a menu navbar, or building an animated navbar HTML CSS, the key is to balance aesthetics with usability.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a navigation bar that not only looks stunning but also aligns with your website’s functionality and user experience. Start building your animated navbar today and give your website the modern edge it deserves!