36 CSS Search Bars25 / 36
Floating CSS Search Bar with Drop Shadow (Elevated)
Elevation done like a designer, not a default: a four-layer shadow stack (contact, ambient, mid, far) that mimics real light falloff, plus a lift on hover and a deeper drop on focus. The same tokens give you a documented elevation scale you can reuse across a product.
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The code
<div class="sb-25">
<button class="sb-25__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
<svg class="sb-25__moon" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M20 14.2A8.2 8.2 0 0 1 9.8 4 8.4 8.4 0 1 0 20 14.2"/></svg>
<svg class="sb-25__sun" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="4"/><path d="M12 3.4v2M12 18.6v2M3.4 12h2M18.6 12h2M6 6l1.4 1.4M16.6 16.6 18 18M18 6l-1.4 1.4M7.4 16.6 6 18"/></svg>
</button>
<div class="sb-25__stage">
<div class="sb-25__bar" role="search">
<svg class="sb-25__ico" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="11" cy="11" r="6.4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8"/><path d="m16 16 4.2 4.2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
<label class="sb-25__vh" for="sb-25-input">Search files and folders</label>
<input class="sb-25__input" id="sb-25-input" type="search" placeholder="Search files and folders" autocomplete="off">
<span class="sb-25__divider" aria-hidden="true"></span>
<button class="sb-25__filter" type="button" aria-label="Filters">
<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M4 6.5h16M7 12h10M10 17.5h4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.9" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
</button>
</div>
</div>
</div><div class="sb-25">
<button class="sb-25__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
<svg class="sb-25__moon" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M20 14.2A8.2 8.2 0 0 1 9.8 4 8.4 8.4 0 1 0 20 14.2"/></svg>
<svg class="sb-25__sun" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="4"/><path d="M12 3.4v2M12 18.6v2M3.4 12h2M18.6 12h2M6 6l1.4 1.4M16.6 16.6 18 18M18 6l-1.4 1.4M7.4 16.6 6 18"/></svg>
</button>
<div class="sb-25__stage">
<div class="sb-25__bar" role="search">
<svg class="sb-25__ico" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="11" cy="11" r="6.4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8"/><path d="m16 16 4.2 4.2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
<label class="sb-25__vh" for="sb-25-input">Search files and folders</label>
<input class="sb-25__input" id="sb-25-input" type="search" placeholder="Search files and folders" autocomplete="off">
<span class="sb-25__divider" aria-hidden="true"></span>
<button class="sb-25__filter" type="button" aria-label="Filters">
<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M4 6.5h16M7 12h10M10 17.5h4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.9" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
</button>
</div>
</div>
</div>.sb-25 {
--bg: #eef0f5;
--card: #ffffff;
--ink: #171923;
--muted: #6b7280;
--line: #e6e8ef;
--acc: #3355ff;
--wash: rgba(51,85,255,.12);
--ring: #3355ff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.06), 0 3px 6px -2px rgba(23,25,35,.06);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.06), 0 4px 8px -2px rgba(23,25,35,.07), 0 12px 24px -6px rgba(23,25,35,.09), 0 28px 48px -12px rgba(23,25,35,.11);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.07), 0 6px 12px -3px rgba(23,25,35,.09), 0 18px 34px -8px rgba(23,25,35,.12), 0 40px 68px -16px rgba(23,25,35,.16);
width: 100%;
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: block;
box-sizing: border-box;
font-family: system-ui,-apple-system,"Segoe UI",sans-serif;
color: var(--ink);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #ffffff, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#f3f5f9, var(--bg));
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}
.sb-25 *,
.sb-25 *::before,
.sb-25 *::after {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.sb-25__stage {
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}
.sb-25__vh {
position: absolute;
width: 1px;
height: 1px;
overflow: hidden;
clip-path: inset(50%);
white-space: nowrap;
}
.sb-25__bar {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: .75rem;
inline-size: min(31rem,100%);
min-block-size: 60px;
padding-inline: 1.15rem .5rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 17px;
background: var(--card);
box-shadow: var(--e2);
transition: box-shadow .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), translate .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), transform .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), border-color .2s;
}
.sb-25__bar:hover {
-webkit-transform: translateY(-2px);
transform: translateY(-2px);
translate: 0 -2px;
box-shadow: var(--e3);
}
.sb-25__bar:focus-within {
-webkit-transform: translateY(-2px);
transform: translateY(-2px);
translate: 0 -2px;
border-color: var(--acc);
box-shadow: var(--e3), 0 0 0 4px var(--wash);
}
.sb-25__ico {
inline-size: 20px;
block-size: 20px;
flex: none;
color: var(--muted);
transition: color .2s;
}
.sb-25__bar:focus-within .sb-25__ico {
color: var(--acc);
}
.sb-25__input {
flex: 1;
min-inline-size: 0;
border: 0;
background: none;
color: var(--ink);
font: 400 1rem/1 inherit;
}
.sb-25__input::placeholder {
color: var(--muted);
}
.sb-25__input:focus {
outline: none;
}
.sb-25__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
-webkit-appearance: none;
appearance: none;
}
.sb-25__divider {
inline-size: 1px;
block-size: 24px;
background: var(--line);
flex: none;
}
.sb-25__filter {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
border: 0;
border-radius: 12px;
background: none;
color: var(--muted);
cursor: pointer;
transition: background .16s, color .16s;
}
.sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #f2f4f8;
color: var(--ink);
}
.sb-25__filter svg {
inline-size: 19px;
block-size: 19px;
}
.sb-25 :focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
outline-offset: 2px;
}
.sb-25__input:focus-visible {
outline: none;
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] {
--bg: #0a0c11;
--card: #151923;
--ink: #e9ecf3;
--muted: #88909e;
--line: #242c39;
--acc: #7c9bff;
--wash: rgba(124,155,255,.16);
--ring: #7c9bff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6), 0 10px 24px -10px rgba(0,0,0,.8);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.7), 0 18px 40px -14px rgba(0,0,0,.9), 0 0 0 1px rgba(124,155,255,.14);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #171d29, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#0e1219, var(--bg));
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #1d2430;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) {
--bg: #0a0c11;
--card: #151923;
--ink: #e9ecf3;
--muted: #88909e;
--line: #242c39;
--acc: #7c9bff;
--wash: rgba(124,155,255,.16);
--ring: #7c9bff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6), 0 10px 24px -10px rgba(0,0,0,.8);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.7), 0 18px 40px -14px rgba(0,0,0,.9), 0 0 0 1px rgba(124,155,255,.14);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #171d29, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#0e1219, var(--bg));
}
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #1d2430;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-25 *,
.sb-25 *::before,
.sb-25 *::after {
transition: none !important;
animation: none !important;
}
}
@media (forced-colors: active) {
.sb-25__bar {
border: 1px solid CanvasText;
box-shadow: none;
}
}
.sb-25__theme {
position: absolute;
inset-block-start: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
inset-inline-end: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
z-index: 50;
inline-size: 2.5rem;
block-size: 2.5rem;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
cursor: pointer;
padding: 0;
border-radius: 999px;
border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);
color: currentColor;
background: rgba(255,255,255,.72);
-webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
transition: background .25s ease, transform .25s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1), border-color .25s ease;
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
}
.sb-25__theme:hover {
transform: translateY(-1px);
border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__theme:hover,
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__theme:hover {
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}
.sb-25__theme:focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid currentColor;
outline-offset: 3px;
}
.sb-25__theme svg {
grid-area: 1/1;
inline-size: 1.1rem;
block-size: 1.1rem;
fill: none;
stroke: currentColor;
stroke-width: 1.7;
stroke-linecap: round;
stroke-linejoin: round;
}
.sb-25__sun {
display: none;
}
.sb-25__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-25__sun {
display: block;
}
.sb-25__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-25__moon {
display: none;
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-25__theme {
transition: none;
}
.sb-25__theme:hover {
transform: none;
}
}.sb-25 {
--bg: #eef0f5;
--card: #ffffff;
--ink: #171923;
--muted: #6b7280;
--line: #e6e8ef;
--acc: #3355ff;
--wash: rgba(51,85,255,.12);
--ring: #3355ff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.06), 0 3px 6px -2px rgba(23,25,35,.06);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.06), 0 4px 8px -2px rgba(23,25,35,.07), 0 12px 24px -6px rgba(23,25,35,.09), 0 28px 48px -12px rgba(23,25,35,.11);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.07), 0 6px 12px -3px rgba(23,25,35,.09), 0 18px 34px -8px rgba(23,25,35,.12), 0 40px 68px -16px rgba(23,25,35,.16);
width: 100%;
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: block;
box-sizing: border-box;
font-family: system-ui,-apple-system,"Segoe UI",sans-serif;
color: var(--ink);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #ffffff, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#f3f5f9, var(--bg));
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}
.sb-25 *,
.sb-25 *::before,
.sb-25 *::after {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.sb-25__stage {
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}
.sb-25__vh {
position: absolute;
width: 1px;
height: 1px;
overflow: hidden;
clip-path: inset(50%);
white-space: nowrap;
}
.sb-25__bar {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: .75rem;
inline-size: min(31rem,100%);
min-block-size: 60px;
padding-inline: 1.15rem .5rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 17px;
background: var(--card);
box-shadow: var(--e2);
transition: box-shadow .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), translate .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), transform .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), border-color .2s;
}
.sb-25__bar:hover {
-webkit-transform: translateY(-2px);
transform: translateY(-2px);
translate: 0 -2px;
box-shadow: var(--e3);
}
.sb-25__bar:focus-within {
-webkit-transform: translateY(-2px);
transform: translateY(-2px);
translate: 0 -2px;
border-color: var(--acc);
box-shadow: var(--e3), 0 0 0 4px var(--wash);
}
.sb-25__ico {
inline-size: 20px;
block-size: 20px;
flex: none;
color: var(--muted);
transition: color .2s;
}
.sb-25__bar:focus-within .sb-25__ico {
color: var(--acc);
}
.sb-25__input {
flex: 1;
min-inline-size: 0;
border: 0;
background: none;
color: var(--ink);
font: 400 1rem/1 inherit;
}
.sb-25__input::placeholder {
color: var(--muted);
}
.sb-25__input:focus {
outline: none;
}
.sb-25__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
-webkit-appearance: none;
appearance: none;
}
.sb-25__divider {
inline-size: 1px;
block-size: 24px;
background: var(--line);
flex: none;
}
.sb-25__filter {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
border: 0;
border-radius: 12px;
background: none;
color: var(--muted);
cursor: pointer;
transition: background .16s, color .16s;
}
.sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #f2f4f8;
color: var(--ink);
}
.sb-25__filter svg {
inline-size: 19px;
block-size: 19px;
}
.sb-25 :focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
outline-offset: 2px;
}
.sb-25__input:focus-visible {
outline: none;
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] {
--bg: #0a0c11;
--card: #151923;
--ink: #e9ecf3;
--muted: #88909e;
--line: #242c39;
--acc: #7c9bff;
--wash: rgba(124,155,255,.16);
--ring: #7c9bff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6), 0 10px 24px -10px rgba(0,0,0,.8);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.7), 0 18px 40px -14px rgba(0,0,0,.9), 0 0 0 1px rgba(124,155,255,.14);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #171d29, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#0e1219, var(--bg));
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #1d2430;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) {
--bg: #0a0c11;
--card: #151923;
--ink: #e9ecf3;
--muted: #88909e;
--line: #242c39;
--acc: #7c9bff;
--wash: rgba(124,155,255,.16);
--ring: #7c9bff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6), 0 10px 24px -10px rgba(0,0,0,.8);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.7), 0 18px 40px -14px rgba(0,0,0,.9), 0 0 0 1px rgba(124,155,255,.14);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #171d29, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#0e1219, var(--bg));
}
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #1d2430;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-25 *,
.sb-25 *::before,
.sb-25 *::after {
transition: none !important;
animation: none !important;
}
}
@media (forced-colors: active) {
.sb-25__bar {
border: 1px solid CanvasText;
box-shadow: none;
}
}
.sb-25__theme {
position: absolute;
inset-block-start: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
inset-inline-end: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
z-index: 50;
inline-size: 2.5rem;
block-size: 2.5rem;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
cursor: pointer;
padding: 0;
border-radius: 999px;
border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);
color: currentColor;
background: rgba(255,255,255,.72);
-webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
transition: background .25s ease, transform .25s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1), border-color .25s ease;
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
}
.sb-25__theme:hover {
transform: translateY(-1px);
border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__theme:hover,
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__theme:hover {
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}
.sb-25__theme:focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid currentColor;
outline-offset: 3px;
}
.sb-25__theme svg {
grid-area: 1/1;
inline-size: 1.1rem;
block-size: 1.1rem;
fill: none;
stroke: currentColor;
stroke-width: 1.7;
stroke-linecap: round;
stroke-linejoin: round;
}
.sb-25__sun {
display: none;
}
.sb-25__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-25__sun {
display: block;
}
.sb-25__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-25__moon {
display: none;
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-25__theme {
transition: none;
}
.sb-25__theme:hover {
transform: none;
}
}(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-25');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-25__theme');if(!t)return;const dark=()=>(r.dataset.theme||(matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches?'dark':'light'))==='dark';const sync=()=>{t.setAttribute('aria-pressed',String(dark()));t.setAttribute('aria-label',dark()?'Switch to light theme':'Switch to dark theme');};t.addEventListener('click',()=>{r.dataset.theme=dark()?'light':'dark';sync();});matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').addEventListener('change',()=>{if(!r.dataset.theme)sync();});sync();})();(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-25');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-25__theme');if(!t)return;const dark=()=>(r.dataset.theme||(matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches?'dark':'light'))==='dark';const sync=()=>{t.setAttribute('aria-pressed',String(dark()));t.setAttribute('aria-label',dark()?'Switch to light theme':'Switch to dark theme');};t.addEventListener('click',()=>{r.dataset.theme=dark()?'light':'dark';sync();});matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').addEventListener('change',()=>{if(!r.dataset.theme)sync();});sync();})();Here's a working CSS Search Bar from CodeFronts. Use it as-is or adapt to your framework. All classes are scoped under a unique prefix so the code won't collide with your existing styles. MIT licensed.
Demo: Floating CSS Search Bar with Drop Shadow (Elevated)
Source: https://codefronts.com/components/css-search-boxes/drop-shadow-float/
Elevation done like a designer, not a default: a four-layer shadow stack (contact, ambient, mid, far) that mimics real light falloff, plus a lift on hover and a deeper drop on focus. The same tokens give you a documented elevation scale you can reuse across a product.
## HTML
```html
<div class="sb-25">
<button class="sb-25__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
<svg class="sb-25__moon" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M20 14.2A8.2 8.2 0 0 1 9.8 4 8.4 8.4 0 1 0 20 14.2"/></svg>
<svg class="sb-25__sun" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="4"/><path d="M12 3.4v2M12 18.6v2M3.4 12h2M18.6 12h2M6 6l1.4 1.4M16.6 16.6 18 18M18 6l-1.4 1.4M7.4 16.6 6 18"/></svg>
</button>
<div class="sb-25__stage">
<div class="sb-25__bar" role="search">
<svg class="sb-25__ico" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="11" cy="11" r="6.4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8"/><path d="m16 16 4.2 4.2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
<label class="sb-25__vh" for="sb-25-input">Search files and folders</label>
<input class="sb-25__input" id="sb-25-input" type="search" placeholder="Search files and folders" autocomplete="off">
<span class="sb-25__divider" aria-hidden="true"></span>
<button class="sb-25__filter" type="button" aria-label="Filters">
<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M4 6.5h16M7 12h10M10 17.5h4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.9" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
</button>
</div>
</div>
</div>
```
## CSS
```css
.sb-25 {
--bg: #eef0f5;
--card: #ffffff;
--ink: #171923;
--muted: #6b7280;
--line: #e6e8ef;
--acc: #3355ff;
--wash: rgba(51,85,255,.12);
--ring: #3355ff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.06), 0 3px 6px -2px rgba(23,25,35,.06);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.06), 0 4px 8px -2px rgba(23,25,35,.07), 0 12px 24px -6px rgba(23,25,35,.09), 0 28px 48px -12px rgba(23,25,35,.11);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.07), 0 6px 12px -3px rgba(23,25,35,.09), 0 18px 34px -8px rgba(23,25,35,.12), 0 40px 68px -16px rgba(23,25,35,.16);
width: 100%;
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: block;
box-sizing: border-box;
font-family: system-ui,-apple-system,"Segoe UI",sans-serif;
color: var(--ink);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #ffffff, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#f3f5f9, var(--bg));
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}
.sb-25 *,
.sb-25 *::before,
.sb-25 *::after {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.sb-25__stage {
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}
.sb-25__vh {
position: absolute;
width: 1px;
height: 1px;
overflow: hidden;
clip-path: inset(50%);
white-space: nowrap;
}
.sb-25__bar {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: .75rem;
inline-size: min(31rem,100%);
min-block-size: 60px;
padding-inline: 1.15rem .5rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 17px;
background: var(--card);
box-shadow: var(--e2);
transition: box-shadow .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), translate .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), transform .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), border-color .2s;
}
.sb-25__bar:hover {
-webkit-transform: translateY(-2px);
transform: translateY(-2px);
translate: 0 -2px;
box-shadow: var(--e3);
}
.sb-25__bar:focus-within {
-webkit-transform: translateY(-2px);
transform: translateY(-2px);
translate: 0 -2px;
border-color: var(--acc);
box-shadow: var(--e3), 0 0 0 4px var(--wash);
}
.sb-25__ico {
inline-size: 20px;
block-size: 20px;
flex: none;
color: var(--muted);
transition: color .2s;
}
.sb-25__bar:focus-within .sb-25__ico {
color: var(--acc);
}
.sb-25__input {
flex: 1;
min-inline-size: 0;
border: 0;
background: none;
color: var(--ink);
font: 400 1rem/1 inherit;
}
.sb-25__input::placeholder {
color: var(--muted);
}
.sb-25__input:focus {
outline: none;
}
.sb-25__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
-webkit-appearance: none;
appearance: none;
}
.sb-25__divider {
inline-size: 1px;
block-size: 24px;
background: var(--line);
flex: none;
}
.sb-25__filter {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
border: 0;
border-radius: 12px;
background: none;
color: var(--muted);
cursor: pointer;
transition: background .16s, color .16s;
}
.sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #f2f4f8;
color: var(--ink);
}
.sb-25__filter svg {
inline-size: 19px;
block-size: 19px;
}
.sb-25 :focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
outline-offset: 2px;
}
.sb-25__input:focus-visible {
outline: none;
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] {
--bg: #0a0c11;
--card: #151923;
--ink: #e9ecf3;
--muted: #88909e;
--line: #242c39;
--acc: #7c9bff;
--wash: rgba(124,155,255,.16);
--ring: #7c9bff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6), 0 10px 24px -10px rgba(0,0,0,.8);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.7), 0 18px 40px -14px rgba(0,0,0,.9), 0 0 0 1px rgba(124,155,255,.14);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #171d29, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#0e1219, var(--bg));
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #1d2430;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) {
--bg: #0a0c11;
--card: #151923;
--ink: #e9ecf3;
--muted: #88909e;
--line: #242c39;
--acc: #7c9bff;
--wash: rgba(124,155,255,.16);
--ring: #7c9bff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6), 0 10px 24px -10px rgba(0,0,0,.8);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.7), 0 18px 40px -14px rgba(0,0,0,.9), 0 0 0 1px rgba(124,155,255,.14);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #171d29, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#0e1219, var(--bg));
}
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #1d2430;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-25 *,
.sb-25 *::before,
.sb-25 *::after {
transition: none !important;
animation: none !important;
}
}
@media (forced-colors: active) {
.sb-25__bar {
border: 1px solid CanvasText;
box-shadow: none;
}
}
.sb-25__theme {
position: absolute;
inset-block-start: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
inset-inline-end: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
z-index: 50;
inline-size: 2.5rem;
block-size: 2.5rem;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
cursor: pointer;
padding: 0;
border-radius: 999px;
border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);
color: currentColor;
background: rgba(255,255,255,.72);
-webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
transition: background .25s ease, transform .25s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1), border-color .25s ease;
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
}
.sb-25__theme:hover {
transform: translateY(-1px);
border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__theme:hover,
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__theme:hover {
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}
.sb-25__theme:focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid currentColor;
outline-offset: 3px;
}
.sb-25__theme svg {
grid-area: 1/1;
inline-size: 1.1rem;
block-size: 1.1rem;
fill: none;
stroke: currentColor;
stroke-width: 1.7;
stroke-linecap: round;
stroke-linejoin: round;
}
.sb-25__sun {
display: none;
}
.sb-25__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-25__sun {
display: block;
}
.sb-25__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-25__moon {
display: none;
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-25__theme {
transition: none;
}
.sb-25__theme:hover {
transform: none;
}
}
```
## JavaScript
```js
(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-25');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-25__theme');if(!t)return;const dark=()=>(r.dataset.theme||(matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches?'dark':'light'))==='dark';const sync=()=>{t.setAttribute('aria-pressed',String(dark()));t.setAttribute('aria-label',dark()?'Switch to light theme':'Switch to dark theme');};t.addEventListener('click',()=>{r.dataset.theme=dark()?'light':'dark';sync();});matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').addEventListener('change',()=>{if(!r.dataset.theme)sync();});sync();})();
```Here's a working CSS Search Bar from CodeFronts. Use it as-is or adapt to your framework. All classes are scoped under a unique prefix so the code won't collide with your existing styles. MIT licensed.
Demo: Floating CSS Search Bar with Drop Shadow (Elevated)
Source: https://codefronts.com/components/css-search-boxes/drop-shadow-float/
Elevation done like a designer, not a default: a four-layer shadow stack (contact, ambient, mid, far) that mimics real light falloff, plus a lift on hover and a deeper drop on focus. The same tokens give you a documented elevation scale you can reuse across a product.
## HTML
```html
<div class="sb-25">
<button class="sb-25__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
<svg class="sb-25__moon" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M20 14.2A8.2 8.2 0 0 1 9.8 4 8.4 8.4 0 1 0 20 14.2"/></svg>
<svg class="sb-25__sun" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="4"/><path d="M12 3.4v2M12 18.6v2M3.4 12h2M18.6 12h2M6 6l1.4 1.4M16.6 16.6 18 18M18 6l-1.4 1.4M7.4 16.6 6 18"/></svg>
</button>
<div class="sb-25__stage">
<div class="sb-25__bar" role="search">
<svg class="sb-25__ico" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="11" cy="11" r="6.4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8"/><path d="m16 16 4.2 4.2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
<label class="sb-25__vh" for="sb-25-input">Search files and folders</label>
<input class="sb-25__input" id="sb-25-input" type="search" placeholder="Search files and folders" autocomplete="off">
<span class="sb-25__divider" aria-hidden="true"></span>
<button class="sb-25__filter" type="button" aria-label="Filters">
<svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M4 6.5h16M7 12h10M10 17.5h4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.9" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
</button>
</div>
</div>
</div>
```
## CSS
```css
.sb-25 {
--bg: #eef0f5;
--card: #ffffff;
--ink: #171923;
--muted: #6b7280;
--line: #e6e8ef;
--acc: #3355ff;
--wash: rgba(51,85,255,.12);
--ring: #3355ff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.06), 0 3px 6px -2px rgba(23,25,35,.06);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.06), 0 4px 8px -2px rgba(23,25,35,.07), 0 12px 24px -6px rgba(23,25,35,.09), 0 28px 48px -12px rgba(23,25,35,.11);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.07), 0 6px 12px -3px rgba(23,25,35,.09), 0 18px 34px -8px rgba(23,25,35,.12), 0 40px 68px -16px rgba(23,25,35,.16);
width: 100%;
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: block;
box-sizing: border-box;
font-family: system-ui,-apple-system,"Segoe UI",sans-serif;
color: var(--ink);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #ffffff, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#f3f5f9, var(--bg));
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}
.sb-25 *,
.sb-25 *::before,
.sb-25 *::after {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.sb-25__stage {
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}
.sb-25__vh {
position: absolute;
width: 1px;
height: 1px;
overflow: hidden;
clip-path: inset(50%);
white-space: nowrap;
}
.sb-25__bar {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: .75rem;
inline-size: min(31rem,100%);
min-block-size: 60px;
padding-inline: 1.15rem .5rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 17px;
background: var(--card);
box-shadow: var(--e2);
transition: box-shadow .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), translate .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), transform .26s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), border-color .2s;
}
.sb-25__bar:hover {
-webkit-transform: translateY(-2px);
transform: translateY(-2px);
translate: 0 -2px;
box-shadow: var(--e3);
}
.sb-25__bar:focus-within {
-webkit-transform: translateY(-2px);
transform: translateY(-2px);
translate: 0 -2px;
border-color: var(--acc);
box-shadow: var(--e3), 0 0 0 4px var(--wash);
}
.sb-25__ico {
inline-size: 20px;
block-size: 20px;
flex: none;
color: var(--muted);
transition: color .2s;
}
.sb-25__bar:focus-within .sb-25__ico {
color: var(--acc);
}
.sb-25__input {
flex: 1;
min-inline-size: 0;
border: 0;
background: none;
color: var(--ink);
font: 400 1rem/1 inherit;
}
.sb-25__input::placeholder {
color: var(--muted);
}
.sb-25__input:focus {
outline: none;
}
.sb-25__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
-webkit-appearance: none;
appearance: none;
}
.sb-25__divider {
inline-size: 1px;
block-size: 24px;
background: var(--line);
flex: none;
}
.sb-25__filter {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
border: 0;
border-radius: 12px;
background: none;
color: var(--muted);
cursor: pointer;
transition: background .16s, color .16s;
}
.sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #f2f4f8;
color: var(--ink);
}
.sb-25__filter svg {
inline-size: 19px;
block-size: 19px;
}
.sb-25 :focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
outline-offset: 2px;
}
.sb-25__input:focus-visible {
outline: none;
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] {
--bg: #0a0c11;
--card: #151923;
--ink: #e9ecf3;
--muted: #88909e;
--line: #242c39;
--acc: #7c9bff;
--wash: rgba(124,155,255,.16);
--ring: #7c9bff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6), 0 10px 24px -10px rgba(0,0,0,.8);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.7), 0 18px 40px -14px rgba(0,0,0,.9), 0 0 0 1px rgba(124,155,255,.14);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #171d29, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#0e1219, var(--bg));
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #1d2430;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) {
--bg: #0a0c11;
--card: #151923;
--ink: #e9ecf3;
--muted: #88909e;
--line: #242c39;
--acc: #7c9bff;
--wash: rgba(124,155,255,.16);
--ring: #7c9bff;
--e1: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6);
--e2: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.6), 0 10px 24px -10px rgba(0,0,0,.8);
--e3: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.7), 0 18px 40px -14px rgba(0,0,0,.9), 0 0 0 1px rgba(124,155,255,.14);
background: radial-gradient(40rem 24rem at 50% 22%, #171d29, transparent 70%), linear-gradient(180deg,#0e1219, var(--bg));
}
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__filter:hover {
background: #1d2430;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-25 *,
.sb-25 *::before,
.sb-25 *::after {
transition: none !important;
animation: none !important;
}
}
@media (forced-colors: active) {
.sb-25__bar {
border: 1px solid CanvasText;
box-shadow: none;
}
}
.sb-25__theme {
position: absolute;
inset-block-start: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
inset-inline-end: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
z-index: 50;
inline-size: 2.5rem;
block-size: 2.5rem;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
cursor: pointer;
padding: 0;
border-radius: 999px;
border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);
color: currentColor;
background: rgba(255,255,255,.72);
-webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
transition: background .25s ease, transform .25s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1), border-color .25s ease;
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
}
.sb-25__theme:hover {
transform: translateY(-1px);
border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}
.sb-25[data-theme="dark"] .sb-25__theme:hover,
.sb-25:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-25__theme:hover {
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}
.sb-25__theme:focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid currentColor;
outline-offset: 3px;
}
.sb-25__theme svg {
grid-area: 1/1;
inline-size: 1.1rem;
block-size: 1.1rem;
fill: none;
stroke: currentColor;
stroke-width: 1.7;
stroke-linecap: round;
stroke-linejoin: round;
}
.sb-25__sun {
display: none;
}
.sb-25__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-25__sun {
display: block;
}
.sb-25__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-25__moon {
display: none;
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-25__theme {
transition: none;
}
.sb-25__theme:hover {
transform: none;
}
}
```
## JavaScript
```js
(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-25');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-25__theme');if(!t)return;const dark=()=>(r.dataset.theme||(matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches?'dark':'light'))==='dark';const sync=()=>{t.setAttribute('aria-pressed',String(dark()));t.setAttribute('aria-label',dark()?'Switch to light theme':'Switch to dark theme');};t.addEventListener('click',()=>{r.dataset.theme=dark()?'light':'dark';sync();});matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').addEventListener('change',()=>{if(!r.dataset.theme)sync();});sync();})();
```How this works
One shadow always looks fake. Real objects cast a small dark contact shadow and a large diffuse one. Stack them, and shrink the blur as the offset shrinks:
--e2:
0 1px 2px rgba(23,25,35,.06), /* contact */
0 4px 8px -2px rgba(23,25,35,.07), /* near */
0 12px 24px -6px rgba(23,25,35,.09),
0 28px 48px -12px rgba(23,25,35,.11); /* far, softest */Tint the shadow. Pure black shadows look muddy on coloured surfaces. These use a desaturated blue-grey (the hue of the page background) — the trick behind every "clean" Material or Stripe surface.
Lift, do not grow. On hover the bar translates up 2px and swaps to a taller elevation token. Animating box-shadow alone forces a repaint of the whole blur; pairing it with translate keeps the motion on the compositor and reads as physical.
Make it yours
- Reuse
--e1/--e2/--e3across your app as a three-step elevation scale: resting, hovered, floating. - For dark themes, shadows stop working as depth cues — the demo swaps to a lighter border plus a subtle glow, which is the correct dark-mode equivalent.
- Increase the lift to 4px for cards; 2px is right for controls, where a bigger jump feels twitchy.
- Match the shadow hue to your background by using the same base colour at 6-12% alpha.
Gotchas — read before shipping
- Never animate
box-shadowon scroll or in a long list — blurred shadows are fill-rate heavy and will drop frames on mobile. - Shadows do not exist in forced-colors mode; keep a border or the element vanishes for those users (this demo adds one).
- A shadow bigger than about 60px of blur stops reading as elevation and starts reading as fog.
- Do not combine a large
box-shadowwithfilter: drop-shadow()on the same element; you pay for both.
Browser support
| Chrome | Safari | Firefox | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 104+ | 14.1+ | 72+ | 104+ |
Layered box-shadow is supported everywhere. Individual translate is Chrome 104 / Safari 14.1 / Firefox 72 with a transform fallback declared first; oklch() tints sit behind @supports with rgba fallbacks.