CSS UI Components

A navbar usually has a logo, links, and maybe a button. Flexbox makes it easy to spread items left and right and wrap on small screens.

Navigation Bars

A navbar usually has a logo, links, and maybe a button. Flexbox makes it easy to spread items left and right and wrap on small screens.

Real-life example: A navbar is like the main menu board at a restaurant — logo on one side, dish names in the middle, order button on the other side.

Simple navbar

.navbar {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 1rem;
  padding: 1rem 1.25rem;
  background: #0f172a;
  color: white;
}

.navbar a {
  color: white;
  text-decoration: none;
}

.navbar nav {
  display: flex;
  gap: 1rem;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

Dropdowns

Dropdowns show extra links when you hover or click. Hide the menu by default, then show it when the parent is hovered or has a .open class (JavaScript can toggle .open).

Real-life example: A dropdown is like a folder tab — closed normally, opens to show more papers inside.

CSS-only hover dropdown

.dropdown {
  position: relative;
}

.dropdown-menu {
  position: absolute;
  top: 100%;
  left: 0;
  min-width: 180px;
  background: white;
  border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 0.5rem 0;
  display: none;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.12);
}

.dropdown:hover .dropdown-menu {
  display: block;
}

.dropdown-menu a {
  display: block;
  padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
  color: #0f172a;
}

Image Gallery

A gallery shows many images in a grid. Use CSS Grid or Flexbox with gap. Add hover effects for a polished feel.

Real-life example: An image gallery is like a photo wall at a wedding — many frames arranged neatly on one wall.

Responsive gallery

.gallery {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(160px, 1fr));
  gap: 1rem;
}

.gallery img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 160px;
  object-fit: cover;
  border-radius: 10px;
  transition: transform 0.2s ease;
}

.gallery img:hover {
  transform: scale(1.03);
}

Image Sprites

A sprite is one image file with many icons. background-position shows only one part. This was popular before SVG icons — still useful to understand old code.

Real-life example: A sprite sheet is like a stamp sheet — you peel one stamp by showing only that corner of the sheet.

Sprite icon

.icon-home {
  width: 24px;
  height: 24px;
  background: url("icons-sprite.png") no-repeat 0 0;
}

.icon-user {
  width: 24px;
  height: 24px;
  background: url("icons-sprite.png") no-repeat -24px 0;
}

Forms & Buttons

Forms need clear labels, comfortable input size, and visible focus states. Buttons should look clickable with padding, color, and hover feedback.

Real-life example: A styled form is like a clean government form — big boxes to write in, clear labels, and a bright submit button.

Form and button styles

label {
  display: block;
  font-weight: 600;
  margin-bottom: 0.35rem;
}

input, textarea, select {
  width: 100%;
  padding: 0.65rem 0.75rem;
  border: 1px solid #cbd5e1;
  border-radius: 8px;
  font: inherit;
}

input:focus, textarea:focus, select:focus {
  outline: 2px solid #0891b2;
  border-color: #0891b2;
}

.btn {
  display: inline-block;
  padding: 0.7rem 1.25rem;
  background: #0891b2;
  color: white;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 999px;
  font-weight: 600;
  cursor: pointer;
}

.btn:hover {
  background: #0e7490;
}

Tooltips & Pagination

Tooltips are small hint boxes on hover. Pagination splits long content into numbered pages. Both are common UI patterns built mostly with CSS and a little HTML structure.

Real-life example: A tooltip is like a whispered hint when you point at something. Pagination is like page numbers at the bottom of a notebook.

Tooltip and pagination

.tooltip {
  position: relative;
  cursor: help;
}

.tooltip::after {
  content: attr(data-tip);
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 125%;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translateX(-50%);
  background: #0f172a;
  color: white;
  padding: 0.35rem 0.6rem;
  border-radius: 6px;
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  white-space: nowrap;
  opacity: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  transition: opacity 0.2s;
}

.tooltip:hover::after {
  opacity: 1;
}

.pagination {
  display: flex;
  gap: 0.5rem;
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
}

.pagination a {
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  width: 2.25rem;
  height: 2.25rem;
  border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
  border-radius: 8px;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: #0f172a;
}

.pagination a.active {
  background: #0891b2;
  color: white;
  border-color: #0891b2;
}