Code Reference

Responsive Nav

CSS · Example / how-to

Responsive Nav

CSS · Example / how-to

📋 Overview

Build a horizontal nav that collapses behind a details/summary (or checkbox) toggle on small screens using only CSS.

🔧 Core concepts

PieceRole
FlexboxAlign brand + links
Media queriesSwitch layout by width
:checked / detailsToggle without JS
gap / wrapSpacing without hacks

💡 Examples

responsive_nav.html + CSS:

<header class="site-header">
  <a class="brand" href="/">Docs</a>
  <details class="nav">
    <summary class="nav-toggle">Menu</summary>
    <ul class="nav-list">
      <li><a href="/guides">Guides</a></li>
      <li><a href="/api">API</a></li>
      <li><a href="/blog">Blog</a></li>
    </ul>
  </details>
</header>
.site-header {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 1rem;
  padding: 0.75rem 1rem;
}

.nav-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 0.5rem;
  list-style: none;
  margin: 0.5rem 0 0;
  padding: 0;
}

.nav-toggle {
  cursor: pointer;
  list-style: none;
}

.nav-toggle::-webkit-details-marker {
  display: none;
}

@media (min-width: 720px) {
  .nav {
    display: contents;
  }

  .nav-toggle {
    display: none;
  }

  .nav-list {
    flex-direction: row;
    margin: 0;
    align-items: center;
  }
}

⚠️ Pitfalls

  • display: contents removes the details box from layout — test focus order.
  • Tiny tap targets on mobile — give summary enough padding.
  • Fixed headers need scroll-padding-top so in-page anchors are not hidden.

🔗 Related

Dark Mode Toggle

CSS · Example / how-to

On this page

Responsive Nav📋 Overview🔧 Core concepts💡 Examples⚠️ Pitfalls🔗 Related