CSS Tooltips

Subject: css

CSS Tooltips

CSS Tooltips are small popups that appear when users hover over an element. They're useful for providing extra information without cluttering the interface. Tooltips can be built using only HTML and CSS, without any JavaScript.

Why Use Tooltips?

  • Show helpful text or hints on hover
  • Improve user experience without affecting layout
  • Lightweight and easy to implement using only CSS

Basic Structure

A tooltip typically includes:

  • A container element like a <button> or <span>
  • A hidden tooltip element (using a child element or pseudo-element like ::after) that becomes visible on hover

Example: Simple CSS Tooltip on Hover

🚀 Try it in Compiler

How It Works

  • .tooltip is the main element the user hovers on.
  • .tooltip-text is hidden by default (visibility: hidden, opacity: 0).
  • On hover, it becomes visible with a smooth opacity transition.
  • ::after creates the arrow pointing to the tooltip origin.

Customization Ideas

  • Positioning: Adjust the tooltip to appear on top, left, or right.
  • Animation: Use transform: scale() or more advanced transitions.
  • Triggering: Swap :hover with :focus or :active for keyboard or touch accessibility.

Key Takeaways

  • CSS tooltips are created using relative and absolute positioning.
  • Use visibility and opacity for smooth show/hide transitions.
  • Add arrows with ::after for a more polished look.
  • No JavaScript is needed—tooltips are built entirely with HTML and CSS.
Next: CSS Pagination