36 CSS Search Bars
24 / 36

All 36 in 36 CSS Search Bars

  1. 01Command Palette Cmd+K Search Bar
  2. 02Algolia-Style Instant Search with Highlighted Results Dropdown
  3. 03E-Commerce Product Search Bar with Category Scope Dropdown
  4. 04Header Navbar Integrated Sticky Search Bar
  5. 05SaaS Dashboard Command Search with Recent and Suggested
  6. 06Minimal CSS Search Bar with Animated Underline
  7. 07CSS Rounded Pill Search Bar with Submit Button
  8. 08Glassmorphism CSS Search Bar (Backdrop Blur)
  9. 09Neon Glow CSS Search Bar (Cyberpunk)
  10. 10CSS Search Bar with Animated Caret Highlight
  11. 11CSS Search Bar with Voice Input Microphone Button
  12. 12CSS Search Bar with Loading Spinner Indicator
  13. 13CSS Search Bar with Clear Button (X on Type)
  14. 14Animated Expanding CSS Search Bar on Focus
  15. 15CSS Search Bar with Autocomplete Suggestions Dropdown
  16. 16CSS Search Bar with Keyboard Shortcut Hint (Cmd K / Ctrl K)
  17. 17CSS Search Bar with Filter Chip Tags
  18. 18CSS Search Bar with Recent Searches Dropdown
  19. 19CSS Search Bar with Rotating Placeholder Text
  20. 20CSS People Search Bar with Avatar Chips
  21. 21Neo-Brutalist CSS Search Bar with Offset Stamp
  22. 22Compact Toolbar CSS Search Bar (Docs / Wiki)
  23. 23Hero Section CSS Search Bar with CTA
  24. 24CSS Search Bar with Side Category Indicator
  25. 25Floating CSS Search Bar with Drop Shadow (Elevated)
  26. 26CSS Search + Filter Sidebar Combo Bar
  27. 27CSS Search Bar with Inline Loading Progress Bar
  28. 28CSS Search Bar with Dual-Tone Border Outline
  29. 29CSS Glitch Search Bar with RGB Split Effect
  30. 30Mobile-First Compact CSS Search Bar
  31. 31CSS Search Bar with Focus Ring Bloom Animation
  32. 32CSS Search Bar Combo with Scope Selector
  33. 33CSS Search Bar with Inset Pressed 3D Effect
  34. 34CSS Search Bar with Animated Border Trace
  35. 35Floating Card CSS Search Bar (Modal Style)
  36. 36Aurora Gradient CSS Search Bar
Pure CSSMIT licensed

CSS Search Bar with Side Category Indicator

A colour-coded search: pick Files, People, Messages or Code and a vertical bar on the input's leading edge changes colour and label to match. The state machine is a radio group read by :has() — no JavaScript, and the whole thing stays keyboard-operable because the controls are real radios.

Live Demo
Try it

Nucleo: 44,000+ SVG icons in five families · All Icons Bundle $149

Nucleo · Affiliate link

Get the Nucleo bundle

The code

<div class="sb-24">
  <button class="sb-24__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
    <svg class="sb-24__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-24__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-24__stage">
    <div class="sb-24__wrap">
      <input class="sb-24__vh" type="radio" name="sb-24-cat" id="sb-24-files" checked>
      <input class="sb-24__vh" type="radio" name="sb-24-cat" id="sb-24-people">
      <input class="sb-24__vh" type="radio" name="sb-24-cat" id="sb-24-msgs">
      <input class="sb-24__vh" type="radio" name="sb-24-cat" id="sb-24-code">

      <div class="sb-24__seg" role="group" aria-label="Search category">
        <label class="sb-24__segbtn" for="sb-24-files">Files</label>
        <label class="sb-24__segbtn" for="sb-24-people">People</label>
        <label class="sb-24__segbtn" for="sb-24-msgs">Messages</label>
        <label class="sb-24__segbtn" for="sb-24-code">Code</label>
      </div>

      <div class="sb-24__bar" role="search">
        <span class="sb-24__scope">
          <svg class="sb-24__glyph sb-24__glyph--files" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M4 6.5h5.6l1.6 2H20v9.5H4z" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg>
          <svg class="sb-24__glyph sb-24__glyph--people" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="9" r="3.3" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7"/><path d="M5.8 19.2a6.2 6.2 0 0 1 12.4 0" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
          <svg class="sb-24__glyph sb-24__glyph--msgs" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M5 5.5h14v10H9.5L5 19z" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg>
          <svg class="sb-24__glyph sb-24__glyph--code" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="m9 8-4 4 4 4m6-8 4 4-4 4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg>
          <span class="sb-24__scopetxt"></span>
        </span>
        <label class="sb-24__vh" for="sb-24-input">Search within the selected category</label>
        <input class="sb-24__input" id="sb-24-input" type="search" placeholder="Search&hellip;" autocomplete="off">
        <kbd class="sb-24__kbd">&crarr;</kbd>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>
.sb-24 {
  --bg: #f5f6f8;
  --card: #ffffff;
  --ink: #14171d;
  --muted: #6b7280;
  --line: #e4e6ec;
  --cat: #2563eb;
  --cat-wash: rgba(37,99,235,.12);
  --ring: #14171d;
  --shadow: rgba(20,23,29,.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: var(--bg);
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}

.sb-24 *,
.sb-24 *::before,
.sb-24 *::after {
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.sb-24__stage {
  min-height: 100vh;
  min-height: 100svh;
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}

.sb-24__vh {
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  overflow: hidden;
  clip-path: inset(50%);
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.sb-24__wrap {
  inline-size: min(32rem,100%);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: .85rem;
}

.sb-24__seg {
  display: flex;
  gap: .25rem;
  padding: .25rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 12px;
  background: var(--card);
  align-self: start;
}

.sb-24__segbtn {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  min-block-size: 34px;
  padding-inline: .7rem;
  border-radius: 9px;
  color: var(--muted);
  cursor: pointer;
  font: 600 .8rem/1 inherit;
  transition: background .16s, color .16s;
}

.sb-24__segbtn:hover {
  background: #f2f3f6;
  color: var(--ink);
}

.sb-24__bar {
  position: relative;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: .6rem;
  min-block-size: 56px;
  padding-inline: 1.05rem .5rem;
  overflow: hidden;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 14px;
  background: var(--card);
  box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(20,23,29,.05);
  transition: border-color .2s, box-shadow .2s;
}

.sb-24__bar::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset-block: .5rem;
  inset-inline-start: 0;
  inline-size: 4px;
  border-start-end-radius: 4px;
  border-end-end-radius: 4px;
  background: var(--cat);
  transition: background .22s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), inset-block .22s;
}

.sb-24__bar:focus-within {
  border-color: var(--cat);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px var(--cat-wash);
}

.sb-24__bar:focus-within::before {
  inset-block: 0;
}

.sb-24__scope {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: .4rem;
  flex: none;
  padding: .3rem .55rem;
  border-radius: 8px;
  background: var(--cat-wash);
  color: var(--cat);
  font: 600 .78rem/1 inherit;
}

.sb-24__glyph {
  display: none;
  inline-size: 15px;
  block-size: 15px;
}

.sb-24__scopetxt::after {
  content: 'Files';
}

.sb-24__glyph--files {
  display: block;
}

.sb-24__input {
  flex: 1;
  min-inline-size: 0;
  border: 0;
  background: none;
  color: var(--ink);
  font: 400 .96rem/1 inherit;
}

.sb-24__input::placeholder {
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-24__input:focus {
  outline: none;
}

.sb-24__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
  -webkit-appearance: none;
  appearance: none;
}

.sb-24__kbd {
  display: inline-grid;
  place-items: center;
  inline-size: 1.9rem;
  block-size: 1.9rem;
  flex: none;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 7px;
  background: #fafbfc;
  color: var(--muted);
  font: 500 .8rem/1 ui-monospace,Menlo,monospace;
}

.sb-24 :focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

.sb-24__input:focus-visible {
  outline: none;
}

@supports selector(:has(*)) {
  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-files:checked) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-files"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:checked) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-people"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:checked) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-msgs"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:checked) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-code"] {
    background: var(--cat-wash);
    color: var(--cat);
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:checked) {
    --cat: #16a34a;
    --cat-wash: rgba(22,163,74,.13);
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:checked) {
    --cat: #ea580c;
    --cat-wash: rgba(234,88,12,.13);
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:checked) {
    --cat: #7c3aed;
    --cat-wash: rgba(124,58,237,.13);
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:checked) .sb-24__glyph--files,
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:checked) .sb-24__glyph--files,
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:checked) .sb-24__glyph--files {
    display: none;
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:checked) .sb-24__glyph--people {
    display: block;
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:checked) .sb-24__glyph--msgs {
    display: block;
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:checked) .sb-24__glyph--code {
    display: block;
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:checked) .sb-24__scopetxt::after {
    content: 'People';
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:checked) .sb-24__scopetxt::after {
    content: 'Messages';
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:checked) .sb-24__scopetxt::after {
    content: 'Code';
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-files:focus-visible) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-files"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:focus-visible) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-people"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:focus-visible) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-msgs"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:focus-visible) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-code"] {
    outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
    outline-offset: 2px;
  }
}

.sb-24[data-theme="dark"] {
  --bg: #0b0e13;
  --card: #141821;
  --ink: #e9edf4;
  --muted: #878f9d;
  --line: #232a36;
  --ring: #e9edf4;
  --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
  --cat: #60a5fa;
  --cat-wash: rgba(96,165,250,.16);
}

.sb-24[data-theme="dark"] .sb-24__segbtn:hover {
  background: #1b2230;
}

.sb-24[data-theme="dark"] .sb-24__kbd {
  background: #1a2029;
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-24:not([data-theme="light"]) {
    --bg: #0b0e13;
    --card: #141821;
    --ink: #e9edf4;
    --muted: #878f9d;
    --line: #232a36;
    --ring: #e9edf4;
    --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
    --cat: #60a5fa;
    --cat-wash: rgba(96,165,250,.16);
  }

  .sb-24:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-24__segbtn:hover {
    background: #1b2230;
  }

  .sb-24:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-24__kbd {
    background: #1a2029;
  }
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-24 *,
    .sb-24 *::before,
    .sb-24 *::after {
    transition: none !important;
    animation: none !important;
  }
}

@media (forced-colors: active) {
  .sb-24__bar,
    .sb-24__seg {
    border: 1px solid CanvasText;
  }

  .sb-24__bar::before {
    background: Highlight;
  }
}

.sb-24__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-24[data-theme="dark"] .sb-24__theme {
  background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
  color: #fff;
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-24:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-24__theme {
    background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
    border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
    color: #fff;
  }
}

.sb-24__theme:hover {
  transform: translateY(-1px);
  border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}

.sb-24[data-theme="dark"] .sb-24__theme:hover,
.sb-24:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-24__theme:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}

.sb-24__theme:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid currentColor;
  outline-offset: 3px;
}

.sb-24__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-24__sun {
  display: none;
}

.sb-24__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-24__sun {
  display: block;
}

.sb-24__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-24__moon {
  display: none;
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-24__theme {
    transition: none;
  }

  .sb-24__theme:hover {
    transform: none;
  }
}
(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-24');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-24__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();})();
Paste this into ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, or any coding assistant. The block below is pre-framed with everything the AI needs to integrate this demo into your project — markup, styles, scoping notes, and the source URL. Hit Copy and paste straight into your chat.
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: CSS Search Bar with Side Category Indicator
Source: https://codefronts.com/components/css-search-boxes/side-indicator/

A colour-coded search: pick Files, People, Messages or Code and a vertical bar on the input's leading edge changes colour and label to match. The state machine is a radio group read by :has() — no JavaScript, and the whole thing stays keyboard-operable because the controls are real radios.
## HTML
```html
<div class="sb-24">
  <button class="sb-24__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
    <svg class="sb-24__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-24__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-24__stage">
    <div class="sb-24__wrap">
      <input class="sb-24__vh" type="radio" name="sb-24-cat" id="sb-24-files" checked>
      <input class="sb-24__vh" type="radio" name="sb-24-cat" id="sb-24-people">
      <input class="sb-24__vh" type="radio" name="sb-24-cat" id="sb-24-msgs">
      <input class="sb-24__vh" type="radio" name="sb-24-cat" id="sb-24-code">

      <div class="sb-24__seg" role="group" aria-label="Search category">
        <label class="sb-24__segbtn" for="sb-24-files">Files</label>
        <label class="sb-24__segbtn" for="sb-24-people">People</label>
        <label class="sb-24__segbtn" for="sb-24-msgs">Messages</label>
        <label class="sb-24__segbtn" for="sb-24-code">Code</label>
      </div>

      <div class="sb-24__bar" role="search">
        <span class="sb-24__scope">
          <svg class="sb-24__glyph sb-24__glyph--files" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M4 6.5h5.6l1.6 2H20v9.5H4z" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg>
          <svg class="sb-24__glyph sb-24__glyph--people" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="9" r="3.3" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7"/><path d="M5.8 19.2a6.2 6.2 0 0 1 12.4 0" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
          <svg class="sb-24__glyph sb-24__glyph--msgs" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M5 5.5h14v10H9.5L5 19z" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg>
          <svg class="sb-24__glyph sb-24__glyph--code" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="m9 8-4 4 4 4m6-8 4 4-4 4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/></svg>
          <span class="sb-24__scopetxt"></span>
        </span>
        <label class="sb-24__vh" for="sb-24-input">Search within the selected category</label>
        <input class="sb-24__input" id="sb-24-input" type="search" placeholder="Search&hellip;" autocomplete="off">
        <kbd class="sb-24__kbd">&crarr;</kbd>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>
```
## CSS
```css
.sb-24 {
  --bg: #f5f6f8;
  --card: #ffffff;
  --ink: #14171d;
  --muted: #6b7280;
  --line: #e4e6ec;
  --cat: #2563eb;
  --cat-wash: rgba(37,99,235,.12);
  --ring: #14171d;
  --shadow: rgba(20,23,29,.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: var(--bg);
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}

.sb-24 *,
.sb-24 *::before,
.sb-24 *::after {
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.sb-24__stage {
  min-height: 100vh;
  min-height: 100svh;
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}

.sb-24__vh {
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  overflow: hidden;
  clip-path: inset(50%);
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.sb-24__wrap {
  inline-size: min(32rem,100%);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: .85rem;
}

.sb-24__seg {
  display: flex;
  gap: .25rem;
  padding: .25rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 12px;
  background: var(--card);
  align-self: start;
}

.sb-24__segbtn {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  min-block-size: 34px;
  padding-inline: .7rem;
  border-radius: 9px;
  color: var(--muted);
  cursor: pointer;
  font: 600 .8rem/1 inherit;
  transition: background .16s, color .16s;
}

.sb-24__segbtn:hover {
  background: #f2f3f6;
  color: var(--ink);
}

.sb-24__bar {
  position: relative;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: .6rem;
  min-block-size: 56px;
  padding-inline: 1.05rem .5rem;
  overflow: hidden;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 14px;
  background: var(--card);
  box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(20,23,29,.05);
  transition: border-color .2s, box-shadow .2s;
}

.sb-24__bar::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset-block: .5rem;
  inset-inline-start: 0;
  inline-size: 4px;
  border-start-end-radius: 4px;
  border-end-end-radius: 4px;
  background: var(--cat);
  transition: background .22s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), inset-block .22s;
}

.sb-24__bar:focus-within {
  border-color: var(--cat);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px var(--cat-wash);
}

.sb-24__bar:focus-within::before {
  inset-block: 0;
}

.sb-24__scope {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: .4rem;
  flex: none;
  padding: .3rem .55rem;
  border-radius: 8px;
  background: var(--cat-wash);
  color: var(--cat);
  font: 600 .78rem/1 inherit;
}

.sb-24__glyph {
  display: none;
  inline-size: 15px;
  block-size: 15px;
}

.sb-24__scopetxt::after {
  content: 'Files';
}

.sb-24__glyph--files {
  display: block;
}

.sb-24__input {
  flex: 1;
  min-inline-size: 0;
  border: 0;
  background: none;
  color: var(--ink);
  font: 400 .96rem/1 inherit;
}

.sb-24__input::placeholder {
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-24__input:focus {
  outline: none;
}

.sb-24__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
  -webkit-appearance: none;
  appearance: none;
}

.sb-24__kbd {
  display: inline-grid;
  place-items: center;
  inline-size: 1.9rem;
  block-size: 1.9rem;
  flex: none;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 7px;
  background: #fafbfc;
  color: var(--muted);
  font: 500 .8rem/1 ui-monospace,Menlo,monospace;
}

.sb-24 :focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

.sb-24__input:focus-visible {
  outline: none;
}

@supports selector(:has(*)) {
  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-files:checked) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-files"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:checked) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-people"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:checked) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-msgs"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:checked) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-code"] {
    background: var(--cat-wash);
    color: var(--cat);
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:checked) {
    --cat: #16a34a;
    --cat-wash: rgba(22,163,74,.13);
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:checked) {
    --cat: #ea580c;
    --cat-wash: rgba(234,88,12,.13);
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:checked) {
    --cat: #7c3aed;
    --cat-wash: rgba(124,58,237,.13);
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:checked) .sb-24__glyph--files,
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:checked) .sb-24__glyph--files,
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:checked) .sb-24__glyph--files {
    display: none;
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:checked) .sb-24__glyph--people {
    display: block;
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:checked) .sb-24__glyph--msgs {
    display: block;
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:checked) .sb-24__glyph--code {
    display: block;
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:checked) .sb-24__scopetxt::after {
    content: 'People';
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:checked) .sb-24__scopetxt::after {
    content: 'Messages';
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:checked) .sb-24__scopetxt::after {
    content: 'Code';
  }

  .sb-24:has(#sb-24-files:focus-visible) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-files"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:focus-visible) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-people"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-msgs:focus-visible) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-msgs"],
    .sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:focus-visible) .sb-24__segbtn[for="sb-24-code"] {
    outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
    outline-offset: 2px;
  }
}

.sb-24[data-theme="dark"] {
  --bg: #0b0e13;
  --card: #141821;
  --ink: #e9edf4;
  --muted: #878f9d;
  --line: #232a36;
  --ring: #e9edf4;
  --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
  --cat: #60a5fa;
  --cat-wash: rgba(96,165,250,.16);
}

.sb-24[data-theme="dark"] .sb-24__segbtn:hover {
  background: #1b2230;
}

.sb-24[data-theme="dark"] .sb-24__kbd {
  background: #1a2029;
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-24:not([data-theme="light"]) {
    --bg: #0b0e13;
    --card: #141821;
    --ink: #e9edf4;
    --muted: #878f9d;
    --line: #232a36;
    --ring: #e9edf4;
    --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
    --cat: #60a5fa;
    --cat-wash: rgba(96,165,250,.16);
  }

  .sb-24:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-24__segbtn:hover {
    background: #1b2230;
  }

  .sb-24:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-24__kbd {
    background: #1a2029;
  }
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-24 *,
    .sb-24 *::before,
    .sb-24 *::after {
    transition: none !important;
    animation: none !important;
  }
}

@media (forced-colors: active) {
  .sb-24__bar,
    .sb-24__seg {
    border: 1px solid CanvasText;
  }

  .sb-24__bar::before {
    background: Highlight;
  }
}

.sb-24__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-24[data-theme="dark"] .sb-24__theme {
  background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
  color: #fff;
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-24:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-24__theme {
    background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
    border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
    color: #fff;
  }
}

.sb-24__theme:hover {
  transform: translateY(-1px);
  border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}

.sb-24[data-theme="dark"] .sb-24__theme:hover,
.sb-24:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-24__theme:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}

.sb-24__theme:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid currentColor;
  outline-offset: 3px;
}

.sb-24__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-24__sun {
  display: none;
}

.sb-24__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-24__sun {
  display: block;
}

.sb-24__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-24__moon {
  display: none;
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-24__theme {
    transition: none;
  }

  .sb-24__theme:hover {
    transform: none;
  }
}
```

## JavaScript
```js
(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-24');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-24__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 property, four states. Each checked radio sets a single custom property on the root; the indicator bar, the icon and the scope pill all read that one variable:

.sb-24:has(#sb-24-people:checked){--cat:#16a34a; --cat-wash:rgba(22,163,74,.12);}
.sb-24:has(#sb-24-code:checked){--cat:#7c3aed; --cat-wash:rgba(124,58,237,.12);}
.sb-24__bar::before{background:var(--cat); transition:background .22s, block-size .22s;}

Adding a fifth category is two lines of CSS and one label — no selector rewriting.

Why radios and not buttons. A radio group gives you arrow-key navigation, a single tab stop, and a correct accessible name/role for free. Hiding the input with the clip-path pattern (never display:none) keeps all of that while letting the label carry the visuals.

The indicator is a 4px ::before pinned to the field's inline-start edge with border-start-start-radius/border-end-start-radius matching the field, so it reads as part of the input rather than a stripe glued on top.

Make it yours

  • Categories are colour + label + icon. Copy a radio/label pair, add a :has() rule with the new hue, done.
  • Prefer a dot to a bar? Change .sb-24__bar::before to a 10px circle centred with inset-block:auto and translate:0 -50%.
  • To persist the choice, give each radio a value and read it in your own submit handler.
  • Use semantic colours consistently across the product — a green that means People here and Success elsewhere teaches nothing.

Gotchas — read before shipping

  • Colour alone is never sufficient: the scope pill also spells out the category name, which is what makes this WCAG 1.4.1 compliant.
  • display:none on a radio removes it from the tab order — always use the visually-hidden clip-path pattern instead.
  • :has() is not supported in Firefox before 121; the @supports fallback keeps a neutral indicator and a working field.
  • Keep the indicator at least 4px wide; a 2px colour stripe is invisible to many users at typical viewing distances.

Browser support

ChromeSafariFirefoxEdge
105+15.4+121+105+

:has() is the only hard requirement and is gated behind @supports selector(:has(*)) — without it the field works with a neutral indicator. Logical border-radius longhands are Chrome 89 / Safari 15 / Firefox 66.

Techniques used in this demo

:focus-withinMDN ↗backdrop-filterMDN ↗clip-pathMDN ↗:has()MDN ↗role="" (ARIA)MDN ↗clamp()MDN ↗

Search CodeFronts

Loading…

↑↓ navigate↵ selectesc closeOpen full search page →