{"id":4969,"date":"2016-05-19T13:00:28","date_gmt":"2016-05-19T13:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/?p=4969"},"modified":"2026-03-08T23:24:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T23:24:08","slug":"our-faves-hover-effects-that-delight-and-amaze","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/our-faves-hover-effects-that-delight-and-amaze.html","title":{"rendered":"Our Faves: Hover Effects that Delight and Amaze"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4997 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/newblog.psd2html.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/18095854\/639_296.png\" alt=\"639_296\" width=\"639\" height=\"296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/newblog.psd2html.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/18095854\/639_296.png 639w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/newblog.psd2html.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/18095854\/639_296-300x139.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, 639px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When you design a website or application you need to create something that does more than just get the job done; you need to connect to the user. UX design seeks to connect with the user on a more emotional level. This is not an easy thing to do in the digital world.\u00a0If you are looking for ways to enhance your user experience, consider the humble hover effect.\u00a0Hover effects breathe life into buttons, keep boring navigation at bay, and give a boost to your image. Here are some hover effects that will delight and amaze your users.<\/p>\n<h3>Hover Effects without JavaScript<\/h3>\n<p>You don\u2019t need to use JavaScript to achieve great hover effects; you just need to get creative with CSS.\u00a0Check these out:<\/p>\n<p>Bring life to your navigation. These 4 effects will create <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/nastasia\/pen\/WwQaed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">geographic shapes, lines, and brackets<\/a> hover effects for your navigation menus without using JavaScript!<\/p>\n<h4><strong>CSS Hover Effects: Highlight the Current Navbar Item with Brackets, Shapes, and Lines<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"codepen\" data-height=\"265\" data-theme-id=\"0\" data-slug-hash=\"WwQaed\" data-default-tab=\"result\" data-user=\"nastasia\" data-embed-version=\"2\">See the Pen <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/nastasia\/pen\/WwQaed\/\">4 Navigation Hover Effects<\/a> by Nastasia (<a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/nastasia\">@nastasia<\/a>) on <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\">CodePen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/public.codepenassets.com\/embed\/index.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>For another take on hover effects for navigation, <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/tsimenis\/pen\/BKdENX?editors=1111\">strikeout from left to right<\/a> with this effect. The effect is as clean as the code.\u00a0Don\u2019t go looking for the JS; there isn\u2019t any.<\/p>\n<p>See the Pen <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/tsimenis\/pen\/BKdENX\/\">Strikethrough hover<\/a> by tsimenis (<a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/tsimenis\">@tsimenis<\/a>) on <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\">CodePen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/public.codepenassets.com\/embed\/index.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Hover effects are great for link icons too. This effect allows you to provide a splash of background color without decreasing the white space. This is a pretty cool <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/igloude\/pen\/oxGaNV\">effect for social media icons<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>CSS Hover Effects for Link Icons (1): Add Background Color Without Sacrificing the White Spa<\/strong>ce<\/h4>\n<p class=\"codepen\" data-height=\"265\" data-theme-id=\"0\" data-slug-hash=\"oxGaNV\" data-default-tab=\"result\" data-user=\"igloude\" data-embed-version=\"2\">See the Pen <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/igloude\/pen\/oxGaNV\/\">Icon hover<\/a> by Ian Gloude (<a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/igloude\">@igloude<\/a>) on <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\">CodePen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s another take on a hover effect for social media icons. This one creates an <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/ryok_codepen\/pen\/vLoRVg\">expanding social media icon<\/a>. The resulting effect is very fluid and JS-free!<\/p>\n<h4><strong>CSS Hover Effects for Link Icons (2): Expand a Button without Using JS<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"codepen\" data-height=\"265\" data-theme-id=\"0\" data-slug-hash=\"vLoRVg\" data-default-tab=\"result\" data-user=\"ryok_codepen\" data-embed-version=\"2\">See the Pen <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/ryok_codepen\/pen\/vLoRVg\/\">SNS Button Simple hover effect<\/a> by Ryota Kitagawa (<a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/ryok_codepen\">@ryok_codepen<\/a>) on <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\">CodePen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/public.codepenassets.com\/embed\/index.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Hover Effects with Images<\/h3>\n<p>Sometimes images need a little help to communicate the full message. Don\u2019t use dull captions and titles. Instead, apply a hover effect that your audience is sure to love.\u00a0Whether you need to add information such as a caption or are looking to add functionality like sharing or commenting, hover effects are up to the job. Check out these examples:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/littlesnippets\/pen\/grozvB\">Add titles and captions to your images<\/a> with this effect. Content rotates up from the corner. It\u2019s like flashcards, but much cooler. Much, much cooler.<\/p>\n<p>See the Pen <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/littlesnippets\/pen\/grozvB\/\">#1470 &#8211; Image Hover<\/a> by LittleSnippets.net (<a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/littlesnippets\">@littlesnippets<\/a>) on <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\">CodePen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/public.codepenassets.com\/embed\/index.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>If flashcards aren\u2019t your thing, try this <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/ArnaudBalland\/pen\/vGZKLr\">overlay hover effect<\/a> on for size. Your text can fade in from any direction for a stunning effect that will delight your users.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Use Image Hover Effects Like The One in this Codepan to Avoid Dull Captions\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"codepen\" data-height=\"265\" data-theme-id=\"0\" data-slug-hash=\"vGZKLr\" data-default-tab=\"result\" data-user=\"ArnaudBalland\" data-embed-version=\"2\">See the Pen <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/ArnaudBalland\/pen\/vGZKLr\/\">Simple Image Overlay Hover Effects<\/a> by Arnaud Balland (<a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/ArnaudBalland\">@ArnaudBalland<\/a>) on <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\">CodePen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/public.codepenassets.com\/embed\/index.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Want a side of icons with your image?\u00a0This overlay effect <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/littlesnippets\/pen\/RaoweK\">adds titles, captions, and interaction icons<\/a> to your images.\u00a0It\u2019s the overlay effect +1.<\/p>\n<p>See the Pen <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/littlesnippets\/pen\/RaoweK\/\">#1446 &#8211; Image Hover<\/a> by LittleSnippets.net (<a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/littlesnippets\">@littlesnippets<\/a>) on <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\">CodePen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/public.codepenassets.com\/embed\/index.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Hover Button Effects<\/h3>\n<p>Buttons don\u2019t have to be boring. Bring them alive with these hover effects. Here is some inspiration to add high contrast and high style to your buttons.<\/p>\n<p>This collection of <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/kjbrum\/pen\/wBBLXx\">13 button hover effects<\/a> is fueled by pseudo elements. If you can\u2019t find something to brighten your button here, you aren\u2019t looking hard enough.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>CSS Button Hover Effects (1): Leverage the Power of Pseudo Elements<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"codepen\" data-height=\"265\" data-theme-id=\"0\" data-slug-hash=\"wBBLXx\" data-default-tab=\"result\" data-user=\"kjbrum\" data-embed-version=\"2\">See the Pen <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/kjbrum\/pen\/wBBLXx\/\">Button Hover Effects<\/a> by Kyle Brumm (<a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/kjbrum\">@kjbrum<\/a>) on <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\">CodePen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/public.codepenassets.com\/embed\/index.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>High contrast makes this <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/yoanmarchal\/pen\/NxQXdo\">button hover effect<\/a> pop. Inspired by the GitHub app circle button, it\u2019s sure to inspire you too.<\/p>\n<p>See the Pen <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/yoanmarchal\/pen\/NxQXdo\/\">Hover button #scss<\/a> by MY (<a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/yoanmarchal\">@yoanmarchal<\/a>) on <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\">CodePen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/public.codepenassets.com\/embed\/index.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Why settle for solid colors when patterns can be much more delightful?\u00a0Check out these <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/giana\/pen\/dMdyaX\">6 incredible button hover effects<\/a>.\u00a0You\u2019ll find zigzags, dots, and more! It\u2019s a great animation effect and it is pure CSS.<\/p>\n<h4>CSS Button Hover Effects (2): Add Exciting Animations to Your Buttons<\/h4>\n<p class=\"codepen\" data-height=\"265\" data-theme-id=\"0\" data-slug-hash=\"dMdyaX\" data-default-tab=\"result\" data-user=\"giana\" data-embed-version=\"2\">See the Pen <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/giana\/pen\/dMdyaX\/\">Buttons with animated background<\/a> by Giana (<a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\/giana\">@giana<\/a>) on <a href=\"https:\/\/codepen.io\">CodePen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/public.codepenassets.com\/embed\/index.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Some Useful Goodies for You<\/h3>\n<p>Push, slide, hinge, shutter, and more with these 44 amazing hover effects courtesy of <a href=\"http:\/\/imagehover.io\/\">ImageHover<\/a>. The library has a little bit of everything and every effect has been built with pure CSS.<\/p>\n<p>Bruce Kean has set a personal challenge to create a library of 100 different button hover effects.\u00a0He\u2019s about a third of the way done and is keeping it all JS free.\u00a0Pulsing arrows, text to arrows, and fill effects are just the beginning of what will be an excellent collection.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s your favorite hover effect?\u00a0Share with us below.\u00a0We love seeing what excites you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the ways to make your website outstanding from a UX perspective is to apply one of the many hover effects. We discuss some of those in this post. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11326,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[750,746],"tags":[825,820,786],"class_list":["post-4969","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-front-end-development-services","category-insights","tag-html-css","tag-javascript","tag-ui-design"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"author_meta":{"display_name":"GetDevDone Team","author_link":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/author\/admin-p2h"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/newblog.psd2html.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/01153726\/illustration-26-300x300.png","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/category\/front-end-development-services\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Front-end development services<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/category\/insights\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Insights<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Front-end development services<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Insights<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/category\/insights\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">HTML &amp; CSS<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/category\/insights\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">JavaScript<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/category\/insights\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">UI design<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">HTML &amp; CSS<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">JavaScript<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">UI design<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 10 years ago","modified":"Updated 1 month ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on May 19, 2016","modified":"Updated on March 8, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on May 19, 2016 1:00 pm","modified":"Updated on March 8, 2026 11:24 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","featured_image_urls":{"thumbnail_723x315":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/newblog.psd2html.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/01153726\/illustration-26-400x315.png","thumbnail_723x315-2x":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/newblog.psd2html.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/01153726\/illustration-26.png","thumbnail_723x315-3x":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/newblog.psd2html.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/01153726\/illustration-26.png","thumbnail_770x510":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/newblog.psd2html.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/01153726\/illustration-26.png","thumbnail_770x510-2x":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/newblog.psd2html.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/01153726\/illustration-26.png","thumbnail_770x510-3x":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/newblog.psd2html.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/01153726\/illustration-26.png"},"featured_post_color":"#9056e0","author_avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c67d54df2c6849e5b7af3126c36fe55b10f9d6a14b227d14b35af6c027abb195?s=96&d=mm&r=g","author_position":null,"reading_time":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span>","prev_post":{"slug":"web-dev-newsletters","name":"Our Faves: Top Newsletters for People Who Code"},"next_post":{"slug":"animation-comparison-css-vs-javascript","name":"Animation Comparison: CSS vs. JavaScript"},"related_posts":["microformats-7-microformats-that-are-worth-using","happy-thanksgiving-day","frontend-development-case-study"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4969","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4969"}],"version-history":[{"count":44,"href":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4969\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24472,"href":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4969\/revisions\/24472"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4969"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4969"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getdevdone.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4969"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}