36 CSS Search Bars14 / 36
Animated Expanding CSS Search Bar on Focus
A 44px circle that unfurls into a full search field when focused and folds back when you leave — the toolbar pattern from Gmail, Figma and every dense app header. Pure CSS: :focus-within drives an eased inline-size transition, and the input keeps its accessible name the whole time.
Published Updated
The code
<div class="sb-14">
<button class="sb-14__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
<svg class="sb-14__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-14__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-14__stage">
<div class="sb-14__toolbar">
<span class="sb-14__title">Projects</span>
<div class="sb-14__spacer"></div>
<div class="sb-14__box" role="search">
<label class="sb-14__trigger" for="sb-14-input">
<svg 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>
<span class="sb-14__vh">Search projects</span>
</label>
<input class="sb-14__input" id="sb-14-input" type="search" placeholder="Search projects…" autocomplete="off">
</div>
<button class="sb-14__btn" type="button" aria-label="Filter">
<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="1.8" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
</button>
<button class="sb-14__btn sb-14__btn--solid" type="button">New project</button>
</div>
</div>
</div><div class="sb-14">
<button class="sb-14__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
<svg class="sb-14__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-14__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-14__stage">
<div class="sb-14__toolbar">
<span class="sb-14__title">Projects</span>
<div class="sb-14__spacer"></div>
<div class="sb-14__box" role="search">
<label class="sb-14__trigger" for="sb-14-input">
<svg 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>
<span class="sb-14__vh">Search projects</span>
</label>
<input class="sb-14__input" id="sb-14-input" type="search" placeholder="Search projects…" autocomplete="off">
</div>
<button class="sb-14__btn" type="button" aria-label="Filter">
<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="1.8" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
</button>
<button class="sb-14__btn sb-14__btn--solid" type="button">New project</button>
</div>
</div>
</div>.sb-14 {
--bg: #f3f4f7;
--card: #ffffff;
--ink: #12141a;
--muted: #6d7280;
--line: #e5e7ec;
--acc: #12141a;
--wash: #f0f1f5;
--ring: #3d5afe;
--shadow: rgba(18,20,26,.14);
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(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #fff, var(--bg) 74%);
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}
.sb-14 *,
.sb-14 *::before,
.sb-14 *::after {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.sb-14__stage {
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}
.sb-14__vh {
position: absolute;
width: 1px;
height: 1px;
overflow: hidden;
clip-path: inset(50%);
white-space: nowrap;
}
.sb-14__toolbar {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: .5rem;
inline-size: min(46rem,100%);
padding: .6rem .7rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 16px;
background: var(--card);
box-shadow: 0 18px 40px -30px var(--shadow), 0 1px 2px rgba(18,20,26,.04);
}
.sb-14__title {
padding-inline: .45rem;
font: 700 1rem/1 inherit;
letter-spacing: -.01em;
}
.sb-14__spacer {
flex: 1;
}
.sb-14__box {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
flex: none;
overflow: hidden;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
border: 1px solid transparent;
border-radius: 12px;
background: var(--wash);
transition: inline-size .34s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), background .2s, border-color .2s, box-shadow .2s;
}
.sb-14__box:hover {
background: #e9ebf1;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within {
inline-size: min(22rem,60vw);
background: var(--card);
border-color: var(--acc);
box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(18,20,26,.08);
}
.sb-14__box:has(.sb-14__input:not(:placeholder-shown)) {
inline-size: min(22rem,60vw);
background: var(--card);
border-color: var(--line);
}
.sb-14__trigger {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
cursor: pointer;
color: var(--muted);
transition: color .2s;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within .sb-14__trigger {
color: var(--acc);
}
.sb-14__trigger svg {
inline-size: 19px;
block-size: 19px;
}
.sb-14__input {
flex: 1;
min-inline-size: 0;
border: 0;
background: none;
color: var(--ink);
padding-inline-end: .9rem;
font: 400 .93rem/1 inherit;
opacity: 0;
translate: -6px 0;
transition: opacity .18s, translate .22s;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within .sb-14__input,
.sb-14__box:has(.sb-14__input:not(:placeholder-shown)) .sb-14__input {
opacity: 1;
translate: 0 0;
transition-delay: .12s;
}
.sb-14__input::placeholder {
color: var(--muted);
}
.sb-14__input:focus {
outline: none;
}
.sb-14__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
-webkit-appearance: none;
appearance: none;
}
.sb-14__btn {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
min-inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
padding-inline: .5rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 12px;
background: var(--card);
color: var(--ink);
cursor: pointer;
font: 600 .87rem/1 inherit;
transition: background .18s, translate .18s;
}
.sb-14__btn:hover {
background: var(--wash);
}
.sb-14__btn--solid {
padding-inline: 1rem;
border-color: transparent;
background: var(--acc);
color: var(--card);
}
.sb-14__btn--solid:hover {
filter: brightness(1.3);
background: var(--acc);
}
.sb-14__btn svg {
inline-size: 18px;
block-size: 18px;
}
.sb-14 :focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
outline-offset: 2px;
}
.sb-14__input:focus-visible {
outline: none;
}
@media (max-width: 34rem) {
.sb-14__btn--solid {
display: none;
}
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] {
--bg: #0c0e14;
--card: #141821;
--ink: #eceff6;
--muted: #8b92a2;
--line: #222836;
--acc: #eceff6;
--wash: #1c222e;
--ring: #7d95ff;
--shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
background: radial-gradient(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #171c28, var(--bg) 74%);
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__box:hover {
background: #232a38;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) {
--bg: #0c0e14;
--card: #141821;
--ink: #eceff6;
--muted: #8b92a2;
--line: #222836;
--acc: #eceff6;
--wash: #1c222e;
--ring: #7d95ff;
--shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
background: radial-gradient(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #171c28, var(--bg) 74%);
}
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__box:hover {
background: #232a38;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-14 *,
.sb-14 *::before,
.sb-14 *::after {
transition: none !important;
animation: none !important;
}
}
@media (forced-colors: active) {
.sb-14__toolbar,
.sb-14__box,
.sb-14__btn {
border: 1px solid CanvasText;
}
}
.sb-14__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-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
}
.sb-14__theme:hover {
transform: translateY(-1px);
border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__theme:hover,
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__theme:hover {
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}
.sb-14__theme:focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid currentColor;
outline-offset: 3px;
}
.sb-14__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-14__sun {
display: none;
}
.sb-14__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-14__sun {
display: block;
}
.sb-14__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-14__moon {
display: none;
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-14__theme {
transition: none;
}
.sb-14__theme:hover {
transform: none;
}
}.sb-14 {
--bg: #f3f4f7;
--card: #ffffff;
--ink: #12141a;
--muted: #6d7280;
--line: #e5e7ec;
--acc: #12141a;
--wash: #f0f1f5;
--ring: #3d5afe;
--shadow: rgba(18,20,26,.14);
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(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #fff, var(--bg) 74%);
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}
.sb-14 *,
.sb-14 *::before,
.sb-14 *::after {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.sb-14__stage {
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}
.sb-14__vh {
position: absolute;
width: 1px;
height: 1px;
overflow: hidden;
clip-path: inset(50%);
white-space: nowrap;
}
.sb-14__toolbar {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: .5rem;
inline-size: min(46rem,100%);
padding: .6rem .7rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 16px;
background: var(--card);
box-shadow: 0 18px 40px -30px var(--shadow), 0 1px 2px rgba(18,20,26,.04);
}
.sb-14__title {
padding-inline: .45rem;
font: 700 1rem/1 inherit;
letter-spacing: -.01em;
}
.sb-14__spacer {
flex: 1;
}
.sb-14__box {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
flex: none;
overflow: hidden;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
border: 1px solid transparent;
border-radius: 12px;
background: var(--wash);
transition: inline-size .34s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), background .2s, border-color .2s, box-shadow .2s;
}
.sb-14__box:hover {
background: #e9ebf1;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within {
inline-size: min(22rem,60vw);
background: var(--card);
border-color: var(--acc);
box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(18,20,26,.08);
}
.sb-14__box:has(.sb-14__input:not(:placeholder-shown)) {
inline-size: min(22rem,60vw);
background: var(--card);
border-color: var(--line);
}
.sb-14__trigger {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
cursor: pointer;
color: var(--muted);
transition: color .2s;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within .sb-14__trigger {
color: var(--acc);
}
.sb-14__trigger svg {
inline-size: 19px;
block-size: 19px;
}
.sb-14__input {
flex: 1;
min-inline-size: 0;
border: 0;
background: none;
color: var(--ink);
padding-inline-end: .9rem;
font: 400 .93rem/1 inherit;
opacity: 0;
translate: -6px 0;
transition: opacity .18s, translate .22s;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within .sb-14__input,
.sb-14__box:has(.sb-14__input:not(:placeholder-shown)) .sb-14__input {
opacity: 1;
translate: 0 0;
transition-delay: .12s;
}
.sb-14__input::placeholder {
color: var(--muted);
}
.sb-14__input:focus {
outline: none;
}
.sb-14__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
-webkit-appearance: none;
appearance: none;
}
.sb-14__btn {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
min-inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
padding-inline: .5rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 12px;
background: var(--card);
color: var(--ink);
cursor: pointer;
font: 600 .87rem/1 inherit;
transition: background .18s, translate .18s;
}
.sb-14__btn:hover {
background: var(--wash);
}
.sb-14__btn--solid {
padding-inline: 1rem;
border-color: transparent;
background: var(--acc);
color: var(--card);
}
.sb-14__btn--solid:hover {
filter: brightness(1.3);
background: var(--acc);
}
.sb-14__btn svg {
inline-size: 18px;
block-size: 18px;
}
.sb-14 :focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
outline-offset: 2px;
}
.sb-14__input:focus-visible {
outline: none;
}
@media (max-width: 34rem) {
.sb-14__btn--solid {
display: none;
}
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] {
--bg: #0c0e14;
--card: #141821;
--ink: #eceff6;
--muted: #8b92a2;
--line: #222836;
--acc: #eceff6;
--wash: #1c222e;
--ring: #7d95ff;
--shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
background: radial-gradient(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #171c28, var(--bg) 74%);
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__box:hover {
background: #232a38;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) {
--bg: #0c0e14;
--card: #141821;
--ink: #eceff6;
--muted: #8b92a2;
--line: #222836;
--acc: #eceff6;
--wash: #1c222e;
--ring: #7d95ff;
--shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
background: radial-gradient(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #171c28, var(--bg) 74%);
}
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__box:hover {
background: #232a38;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-14 *,
.sb-14 *::before,
.sb-14 *::after {
transition: none !important;
animation: none !important;
}
}
@media (forced-colors: active) {
.sb-14__toolbar,
.sb-14__box,
.sb-14__btn {
border: 1px solid CanvasText;
}
}
.sb-14__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-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
}
.sb-14__theme:hover {
transform: translateY(-1px);
border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__theme:hover,
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__theme:hover {
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}
.sb-14__theme:focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid currentColor;
outline-offset: 3px;
}
.sb-14__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-14__sun {
display: none;
}
.sb-14__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-14__sun {
display: block;
}
.sb-14__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-14__moon {
display: none;
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-14__theme {
transition: none;
}
.sb-14__theme:hover {
transform: none;
}
}(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-14');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-14__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-14');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-14__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: Animated Expanding CSS Search Bar on Focus
Source: https://codefronts.com/components/css-search-boxes/expanding-input/
A 44px circle that unfurls into a full search field when focused and folds back when you leave — the toolbar pattern from Gmail, Figma and every dense app header. Pure CSS: :focus-within drives an eased inline-size transition, and the input keeps its accessible name the whole time.
## HTML
```html
<div class="sb-14">
<button class="sb-14__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
<svg class="sb-14__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-14__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-14__stage">
<div class="sb-14__toolbar">
<span class="sb-14__title">Projects</span>
<div class="sb-14__spacer"></div>
<div class="sb-14__box" role="search">
<label class="sb-14__trigger" for="sb-14-input">
<svg 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>
<span class="sb-14__vh">Search projects</span>
</label>
<input class="sb-14__input" id="sb-14-input" type="search" placeholder="Search projects…" autocomplete="off">
</div>
<button class="sb-14__btn" type="button" aria-label="Filter">
<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="1.8" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
</button>
<button class="sb-14__btn sb-14__btn--solid" type="button">New project</button>
</div>
</div>
</div>
```
## CSS
```css
.sb-14 {
--bg: #f3f4f7;
--card: #ffffff;
--ink: #12141a;
--muted: #6d7280;
--line: #e5e7ec;
--acc: #12141a;
--wash: #f0f1f5;
--ring: #3d5afe;
--shadow: rgba(18,20,26,.14);
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(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #fff, var(--bg) 74%);
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}
.sb-14 *,
.sb-14 *::before,
.sb-14 *::after {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.sb-14__stage {
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}
.sb-14__vh {
position: absolute;
width: 1px;
height: 1px;
overflow: hidden;
clip-path: inset(50%);
white-space: nowrap;
}
.sb-14__toolbar {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: .5rem;
inline-size: min(46rem,100%);
padding: .6rem .7rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 16px;
background: var(--card);
box-shadow: 0 18px 40px -30px var(--shadow), 0 1px 2px rgba(18,20,26,.04);
}
.sb-14__title {
padding-inline: .45rem;
font: 700 1rem/1 inherit;
letter-spacing: -.01em;
}
.sb-14__spacer {
flex: 1;
}
.sb-14__box {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
flex: none;
overflow: hidden;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
border: 1px solid transparent;
border-radius: 12px;
background: var(--wash);
transition: inline-size .34s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), background .2s, border-color .2s, box-shadow .2s;
}
.sb-14__box:hover {
background: #e9ebf1;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within {
inline-size: min(22rem,60vw);
background: var(--card);
border-color: var(--acc);
box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(18,20,26,.08);
}
.sb-14__box:has(.sb-14__input:not(:placeholder-shown)) {
inline-size: min(22rem,60vw);
background: var(--card);
border-color: var(--line);
}
.sb-14__trigger {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
cursor: pointer;
color: var(--muted);
transition: color .2s;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within .sb-14__trigger {
color: var(--acc);
}
.sb-14__trigger svg {
inline-size: 19px;
block-size: 19px;
}
.sb-14__input {
flex: 1;
min-inline-size: 0;
border: 0;
background: none;
color: var(--ink);
padding-inline-end: .9rem;
font: 400 .93rem/1 inherit;
opacity: 0;
translate: -6px 0;
transition: opacity .18s, translate .22s;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within .sb-14__input,
.sb-14__box:has(.sb-14__input:not(:placeholder-shown)) .sb-14__input {
opacity: 1;
translate: 0 0;
transition-delay: .12s;
}
.sb-14__input::placeholder {
color: var(--muted);
}
.sb-14__input:focus {
outline: none;
}
.sb-14__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
-webkit-appearance: none;
appearance: none;
}
.sb-14__btn {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
min-inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
padding-inline: .5rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 12px;
background: var(--card);
color: var(--ink);
cursor: pointer;
font: 600 .87rem/1 inherit;
transition: background .18s, translate .18s;
}
.sb-14__btn:hover {
background: var(--wash);
}
.sb-14__btn--solid {
padding-inline: 1rem;
border-color: transparent;
background: var(--acc);
color: var(--card);
}
.sb-14__btn--solid:hover {
filter: brightness(1.3);
background: var(--acc);
}
.sb-14__btn svg {
inline-size: 18px;
block-size: 18px;
}
.sb-14 :focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
outline-offset: 2px;
}
.sb-14__input:focus-visible {
outline: none;
}
@media (max-width: 34rem) {
.sb-14__btn--solid {
display: none;
}
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] {
--bg: #0c0e14;
--card: #141821;
--ink: #eceff6;
--muted: #8b92a2;
--line: #222836;
--acc: #eceff6;
--wash: #1c222e;
--ring: #7d95ff;
--shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
background: radial-gradient(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #171c28, var(--bg) 74%);
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__box:hover {
background: #232a38;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) {
--bg: #0c0e14;
--card: #141821;
--ink: #eceff6;
--muted: #8b92a2;
--line: #222836;
--acc: #eceff6;
--wash: #1c222e;
--ring: #7d95ff;
--shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
background: radial-gradient(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #171c28, var(--bg) 74%);
}
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__box:hover {
background: #232a38;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-14 *,
.sb-14 *::before,
.sb-14 *::after {
transition: none !important;
animation: none !important;
}
}
@media (forced-colors: active) {
.sb-14__toolbar,
.sb-14__box,
.sb-14__btn {
border: 1px solid CanvasText;
}
}
.sb-14__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-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
}
.sb-14__theme:hover {
transform: translateY(-1px);
border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__theme:hover,
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__theme:hover {
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}
.sb-14__theme:focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid currentColor;
outline-offset: 3px;
}
.sb-14__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-14__sun {
display: none;
}
.sb-14__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-14__sun {
display: block;
}
.sb-14__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-14__moon {
display: none;
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-14__theme {
transition: none;
}
.sb-14__theme:hover {
transform: none;
}
}
```
## JavaScript
```js
(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-14');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-14__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: Animated Expanding CSS Search Bar on Focus
Source: https://codefronts.com/components/css-search-boxes/expanding-input/
A 44px circle that unfurls into a full search field when focused and folds back when you leave — the toolbar pattern from Gmail, Figma and every dense app header. Pure CSS: :focus-within drives an eased inline-size transition, and the input keeps its accessible name the whole time.
## HTML
```html
<div class="sb-14">
<button class="sb-14__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
<svg class="sb-14__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-14__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-14__stage">
<div class="sb-14__toolbar">
<span class="sb-14__title">Projects</span>
<div class="sb-14__spacer"></div>
<div class="sb-14__box" role="search">
<label class="sb-14__trigger" for="sb-14-input">
<svg 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>
<span class="sb-14__vh">Search projects</span>
</label>
<input class="sb-14__input" id="sb-14-input" type="search" placeholder="Search projects…" autocomplete="off">
</div>
<button class="sb-14__btn" type="button" aria-label="Filter">
<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="1.8" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
</button>
<button class="sb-14__btn sb-14__btn--solid" type="button">New project</button>
</div>
</div>
</div>
```
## CSS
```css
.sb-14 {
--bg: #f3f4f7;
--card: #ffffff;
--ink: #12141a;
--muted: #6d7280;
--line: #e5e7ec;
--acc: #12141a;
--wash: #f0f1f5;
--ring: #3d5afe;
--shadow: rgba(18,20,26,.14);
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(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #fff, var(--bg) 74%);
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}
.sb-14 *,
.sb-14 *::before,
.sb-14 *::after {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.sb-14__stage {
min-height: 100vh;
min-height: 100svh;
display: grid;
place-items: center;
padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}
.sb-14__vh {
position: absolute;
width: 1px;
height: 1px;
overflow: hidden;
clip-path: inset(50%);
white-space: nowrap;
}
.sb-14__toolbar {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: .5rem;
inline-size: min(46rem,100%);
padding: .6rem .7rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 16px;
background: var(--card);
box-shadow: 0 18px 40px -30px var(--shadow), 0 1px 2px rgba(18,20,26,.04);
}
.sb-14__title {
padding-inline: .45rem;
font: 700 1rem/1 inherit;
letter-spacing: -.01em;
}
.sb-14__spacer {
flex: 1;
}
.sb-14__box {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
flex: none;
overflow: hidden;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
border: 1px solid transparent;
border-radius: 12px;
background: var(--wash);
transition: inline-size .34s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), background .2s, border-color .2s, box-shadow .2s;
}
.sb-14__box:hover {
background: #e9ebf1;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within {
inline-size: min(22rem,60vw);
background: var(--card);
border-color: var(--acc);
box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(18,20,26,.08);
}
.sb-14__box:has(.sb-14__input:not(:placeholder-shown)) {
inline-size: min(22rem,60vw);
background: var(--card);
border-color: var(--line);
}
.sb-14__trigger {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
cursor: pointer;
color: var(--muted);
transition: color .2s;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within .sb-14__trigger {
color: var(--acc);
}
.sb-14__trigger svg {
inline-size: 19px;
block-size: 19px;
}
.sb-14__input {
flex: 1;
min-inline-size: 0;
border: 0;
background: none;
color: var(--ink);
padding-inline-end: .9rem;
font: 400 .93rem/1 inherit;
opacity: 0;
translate: -6px 0;
transition: opacity .18s, translate .22s;
}
.sb-14__box:focus-within .sb-14__input,
.sb-14__box:has(.sb-14__input:not(:placeholder-shown)) .sb-14__input {
opacity: 1;
translate: 0 0;
transition-delay: .12s;
}
.sb-14__input::placeholder {
color: var(--muted);
}
.sb-14__input:focus {
outline: none;
}
.sb-14__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
-webkit-appearance: none;
appearance: none;
}
.sb-14__btn {
display: grid;
place-items: center;
min-inline-size: 44px;
block-size: 44px;
flex: none;
padding-inline: .5rem;
border: 1px solid var(--line);
border-radius: 12px;
background: var(--card);
color: var(--ink);
cursor: pointer;
font: 600 .87rem/1 inherit;
transition: background .18s, translate .18s;
}
.sb-14__btn:hover {
background: var(--wash);
}
.sb-14__btn--solid {
padding-inline: 1rem;
border-color: transparent;
background: var(--acc);
color: var(--card);
}
.sb-14__btn--solid:hover {
filter: brightness(1.3);
background: var(--acc);
}
.sb-14__btn svg {
inline-size: 18px;
block-size: 18px;
}
.sb-14 :focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
outline-offset: 2px;
}
.sb-14__input:focus-visible {
outline: none;
}
@media (max-width: 34rem) {
.sb-14__btn--solid {
display: none;
}
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] {
--bg: #0c0e14;
--card: #141821;
--ink: #eceff6;
--muted: #8b92a2;
--line: #222836;
--acc: #eceff6;
--wash: #1c222e;
--ring: #7d95ff;
--shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
background: radial-gradient(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #171c28, var(--bg) 74%);
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__box:hover {
background: #232a38;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) {
--bg: #0c0e14;
--card: #141821;
--ink: #eceff6;
--muted: #8b92a2;
--line: #222836;
--acc: #eceff6;
--wash: #1c222e;
--ring: #7d95ff;
--shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
background: radial-gradient(44rem 24rem at 50% 0%, #171c28, var(--bg) 74%);
}
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__box:hover {
background: #232a38;
}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-14 *,
.sb-14 *::before,
.sb-14 *::after {
transition: none !important;
animation: none !important;
}
}
@media (forced-colors: active) {
.sb-14__toolbar,
.sb-14__box,
.sb-14__btn {
border: 1px solid CanvasText;
}
}
.sb-14__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-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__theme {
background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
color: #fff;
}
}
.sb-14__theme:hover {
transform: translateY(-1px);
border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}
.sb-14[data-theme="dark"] .sb-14__theme:hover,
.sb-14:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-14__theme:hover {
border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}
.sb-14__theme:focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid currentColor;
outline-offset: 3px;
}
.sb-14__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-14__sun {
display: none;
}
.sb-14__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-14__sun {
display: block;
}
.sb-14__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-14__moon {
display: none;
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.sb-14__theme {
transition: none;
}
.sb-14__theme:hover {
transform: none;
}
}
```
## JavaScript
```js
(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-14');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-14__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
The label is the trigger. A <label for="…"> wrapping the magnifier focuses the input on click, which fires :focus-within, which expands the box. No click handler, no tabindex, and it works with touch, mouse and keyboard identically:
.sb-14__box{inline-size:44px; transition:inline-size .34s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1);}
.sb-14__box:focus-within{inline-size:min(22rem,60vw);}
.sb-14__input{opacity:0; transition:opacity .18s;}
.sb-14__box:focus-within .sb-14__input{opacity:1; transition-delay:.12s;}The transition-delay on the input is the detail that makes it feel designed: text fades in after the box has started opening, instead of squeezing against the closing edge.
Why not width:0? A zero-width input cannot be focused on iOS and disappears from the hit-testing grid. Collapsing to a 44px circle keeps the control tappable and keeps the caret inside the box when the keyboard opens.
Make it yours
- Set the open width once, in the
:focus-withinrule —min(22rem,60vw)keeps it inside small viewports. - To keep it open while it has content, add
.sb-14__box:has(.sb-14__input:not(:placeholder-shown)){inline-size:min(22rem,60vw)}. - Expand leftwards in an end-aligned toolbar by adding
margin-inline-start:autoto the box; the transition is direction-agnostic. - Drop the surrounding toolbar chrome to use the control standalone — only
.sb-14__boxand its children matter.
Gotchas — read before shipping
- Never animate
widthon an element containing text you want to stay legible — clip it withoverflow:hiddenon the box, as here, or glyphs will spill during the transition. - A collapsed search that is smaller than 44px fails WCAG 2.2 target size and is miserable on touch.
:focus-withincollapses the moment focus leaves, which discards a typed query. Pair it with the:has()rule above in production.- Do not swap
display:noneon the input when collapsed — it becomes unfocusable and the label stops working.
Browser support
| Chrome | Safari | Firefox | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 105+ | 15.4+ | 121+ | 105+ |
:focus-within and inline-size transitions work in every current browser (Chrome 60 / Safari 10.1 / Firefox 52). The optional keep-open-when-filled rule needs :has() — Chrome 105 / Safari 15.4 / Firefox 121 — and degrades to the plain collapse behaviour.