CSS Hover Effect - An Introduction

CSS is a stylesheet language that describes the presentation of an HTML document and is commonly used in web development. CSS describes how elements will look on screen, on paper, or in other media. It is used to define your web page’s styles, including the design, layout, and variations in display for different devices and screen sizes. Here you will learn about the CSS hover effect which adds the effects when the elements hover over it.

Want a Top Software Development Job? Start Here!

Full Stack Developer - MERN StackExplore Program
Want a Top Software Development Job? Start Here!

What is a CSS Hover Effect?

A CSS hover effect takes place when a user hovers over an element, and the element responds with transition effects. It is used to mark the key items on the web page and it’s an effective way to enhance the user experience. 

Syntax: :hover {

  Css declarations;

}

Let’s understand it by using some examples

CSS Hover Effect Example 1 

In this example, you will create a link that will change the color when hovered over.

Example1

  • The :hover pseudo-class is triggered when the user hovers over an element with the pointer. It does not necessarily activate the link.
  • The :active pseudo-class changes the appearance of the element while it is being used. 

Example1_2

Read more: CSS Links: A Guide to Styling Links in Different States

CSS Hover Effect Example 2 

Here is an illustration to show some more hover effects you can use on your page.

Example2

Example2_2

How to Use Hover CSS?

When a user hovers over an element in CSS, the element responds by triggering transition effects. It is an efficient approach to improve user experience and is used to highlight the important elements on the web page.

the syntax "hover"

declarations in CSS;

}

What Is the Best CSS Hover Effect?

An otherwise uninteresting website can benefit from the addition of CSS link hover effects. Here are a few best CSS effects that you can utilize in your next project if you have ever struggled to create a stylish hover effect.

1. The Hover Effect for Sliding Highlight Links

This effect changes the color of the link text and adds a box shadow to the inline link. To avoid the padding from interrupting the flow of the text, we first apply padding around the link before adding a negative margin with the same value. Instead of using the background property since it prevents transitions, we will utilize box-shadow.

2. The Effect of a Text Swappin' Link Hover

Here's a cool one where, when the mouse hovers over the link, some other text replaces the link's text. The linked text slides out when fresh text slides in as you hover over the text. This link hover effect involves quite a bit of deception. However, the secret ingredient defines the text that slides in and calls it with the content property of the link's::after pseudo-element using a data attribute.

CSS Hover Effects With Transition

In this example, you will look at adding some hover effects in combination with transitions to the buttons.

EffectswithTransition

EffectswithTransition_2

Want a Top Software Development Job? Start Here!

Full Stack Developer - MERN StackExplore Program
Want a Top Software Development Job? Start Here!

  • The transform property adds 2D or 3D effects to the element. The translate() moves the element from the current position according to the parameters given for the x-axis and y-axis.
  • CSS transition allows you to change the property value. It provides a way to control animation speed when changing CSS properties.

EffectswithTransition_3

  •  The ::before selector inserts something before the content of each selected element. 
  • The z-index CSS property sets the z-order of a positioned element and its flex items. An element with greater order is always in front of an element with a lower order.

EffectswithTransition_4

EffectswithTransition_5.

There is a nice button that will respond in different ways when hovered over.

EffectswithTransition_6

How to Create a CSS Hover Animation?

Let's start with the HTML markup:

  • Showing is simpler than telling.
  • You're looking at a paragraph tag with a link and a span, which is a lot of inline markups.
  • Let's provide some basic styles for Link. It needs relative positioning to keep the pseudo-elements, which will be positioned, in place. 
  • It also needs to be presented as an inline block to take advantage of box element stylistic affordances. Finally, any overflow that the pseudo-elements may create has to be hidden.

How to Set up the Animation Property?

The following are represented by the shorthand property for:

  • animation-name
  • animation-duration
  • animation-timing-function
  • Animation-delay
  • animation-iteration-count
  • animation-direction
  • animation-fill-mode
  • animation-play-state

Note: Always specify the animation-duration property, otherwise the duration is 0, and will never be played.

  • Default value: none 0 ease 0 1 normal none running
  • Inherited: no
  • Animatable: no. Read about animatedly
  • Version: CSS3
  • JavaScript syntax: object.style.animation=" my move 5s infinite"
  • You can try it

CSS Syntax

  • animation-duration

Indicates the duration in seconds or milliseconds of an animation.

  • animation-timing-function

Specifies the animation's speed curve.

  • animation-delay

Specifies the amount of time before the animation begins.

  • animation-iteration-count

Sets the number of times that animation should be played.

  • Animation-direction
  • Inherits this attribute is from the element it is a child of.

Define the Animation Property’s Sub-Properties

If a CSS property's value can change over a predetermined period, it is animated. Using CSS Animations or CSS Transitions, specific CSS properties can be animated. Because animating them would result in complicated recursive behavior, CSS properties that define animation parameters like animation-direction and animation-name are not animatable.

The following CSS properties are animatable:

moz-outline-radius

moz-outline-radius-bottomleft

moz-outline-radius-bottom right

moz-outline-radius-topleft

moz-outline-radius-topright

webkit-text-fill-color

webkit-text-stroke

webkit-text-stroke-color

accent-color

all

backdrop-filter

background

background-color

background-position

background-size

block-size

border

border-block-end

border-block-end-color

border-block-end-width

border-block-start

border-block-start-color

border-block-start-width

border-bottom

border-bottom-color

border-bottom-left-radius

border-bottom-right-radius

border-bottom-width

border-color

border-end-end-radius

border-end-start-radius

border-image-outset

border-image-slice

border-image-width

border-inline-end

border-inline-end-color

Use Keyframes to Define the CSS Hover Animation Sequence.

Create a @keyframes rule with a name to use keyframes, and the animation-name property will use that name to link an animation to a keyframe declaration. Each @keyframes rule has a block containing the styles for each keyframe and a style list of keyframe selectors that determine the proportion of the animation where each keyframe occurs.

The keyframe percentages can be listed in any order; they will be processed according to the order in which they should occur.

The CSSKeyframesRule object model interface allows JavaScript to access the @keyframes at-rule.

Authentic keyframe lists

Browsers will utilize the element's pre-existing styles for the start and end states if a keyframe rule doesn't define them (0 percent /from and 100 percent /to).

 Using this, you may animate an element from its starting point to its final state.

Keyframe rules disregard attributes that cannot be animated, while supported properties can still be animated.

Use CSS Hover Animation Shorthand

The acronym for animation Between styles, a CSS property applies to an animation. For animation-name, animation-duration, animation-timing-function, animation-delay, animation-iteration-count, animation-direction, animation-fill-mode, and animation-play-state, it serves as a shorthand.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you have seen how CSS hover effects allow you to add responsive effects and transition over your elements. You have also learned about some properties that will help you to make a better hover effect.

With a strong foundational understanding of CSS, you can go ahead and upskill yourself by enrolling in Simplilearn’s  Post Graduate Program in Full Stack Web Development course which is in collaboration with Caltech CTME. This course will guide you through your journey to master the Full Stack development  covering all aspects from basic to advanced level.

In case you have any queries or feedback with respect to this CSS hover effect tutorial, let us know in the comments section below. Our experts will get back to you at the earliest.

About the Author

Aryan GuptaAryan Gupta

Aryan is a tech enthusiast who likes to stay updated about trending technologies of today. He is passionate about all things technology, a keen researcher, and writes to inspire. Aside from technology, he is an active football player and a keen enthusiast of the game.

View More
  • Disclaimer
  • PMP, PMI, PMBOK, CAPM, PgMP, PfMP, ACP, PBA, RMP, SP, and OPM3 are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.