30 Tailwind CSS Text Hover Effects
11 / 30

All 30 in 30 Tailwind CSS Text Hover Effects

  1. 01Tailwind CSS Animated Underline Hover Effect
  2. 02Tailwind Liquid Text Fill Hover Animation
  3. 03Tailwind Gradient Text Hover Effect with bg-clip-text
  4. 04Tailwind Animated Strikethrough Text Hover Effect
  5. 05Tailwind Text Swap and Flip Up Hover Effect
  6. 06Tailwind CSS Glitch Text Hover Effect
  7. 07Tailwind Neon Glow Text with Flicker Animation
  8. 08Tailwind Metallic Gold Shimmer Text Effect
  9. 09Tailwind 3D Text Pop and Lift Hover Effect
  10. 10Tailwind Staggered Letter Wave Hover Animation
  11. 11Tailwind Spotlight Text Reveal on Mouse Hover
  12. 12Tailwind Hover to Reveal Hidden Spoiler Text
  13. 13Tailwind Blur to Focus Text Hover Effect
  14. 14Tailwind Magnetic Hover Effect for Buttons and Text
  15. 15Tailwind Letter Spacing Expand on Hover (Tracking Animation)
  16. 16Tailwind Outline Text Stroke to Fill Hover Effect
  17. 17Tailwind Text Scramble and Matrix Decrypt Hover Effect
  18. 18Tailwind Animated Border Button Hover Effect
  19. 19Tailwind Elastic Rubber Band Text Hover Animation
  20. 20Tailwind Variable Font Weight Hover Animation
  21. 21Tailwind Animated Rainbow Gradient Text on Hover
  22. 22Tailwind 3D Perspective Tilt Text Hover Effect
  23. 23Tailwind Smoke Dissolve Text Hover Effect
  24. 24Tailwind Fire Text Effect with Heat Wave Glow
  25. 25Tailwind Dynamic Text Shadow that Follows the Cursor
  26. 26Tailwind Infinite Text Marquee that Speeds Up on Hover
  27. 27Tailwind Duotone Split Color Text Hover Effect
  28. 28Tailwind CSS Tooltip on Hover (No JavaScript)
  29. 29Tailwind SVG Water Ripple Distortion Text Effect
  30. 30Tailwind Clip-Path Text Reveal Hover Animation
Tailwind + JSMIT licensed

Tailwind Spotlight Text Reveal on Mouse Hover

A night-photography headline where the cursor is a torch: a city photo lives inside the glyphs (bg-clip-text), hidden by a radial mask-image centred at var(--tth11-x) var(--tth11-y). A 12-line script writes the coordinates; Tailwind does everything else, including the typed radius that grows from 0 to 170px on hover.

Live Demo
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The code

<section class="tth-11 w-full min-h-svh grid place-items-center bg-tth11-bg bg-[radial-gradient(100%_80%_at_50%_100%,var(--color-tth11-glow),var(--color-tth11-bg)_65%)] px-5 py-14 font-tth11-sans text-tth11-ink" aria-label="Spotlight text reveal demo">
  <div class="flex flex-col items-center gap-[clamp(18px,3.4vw,28px)] text-center">
    <p class="text-xs font-bold uppercase tracking-[0.28em] text-tth11-mut">Night photography walks &mdash; booking winter 2026</p>
    <a id="tth11-top" href="#tth11-top" data-tth11-torch class="group/torch relative inline-block rounded-md px-[0.12em] py-[0.1em] text-[clamp(52px,11.5vw,118px)] font-black leading-[1.02] tracking-[-0.02em] [font-stretch:115%] no-underline [--tth11-r:0px] focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-8 focus-visible:outline-tth11-acc">
      <span class="block text-tth11-bg [paint-order:stroke_fill] [-webkit-text-stroke:3px_color-mix(in_oklch,var(--color-tth11-ink)_45%,transparent)]">MIDNIGHT<br>ATLAS</span>
      <span aria-hidden="true" style="--tth11-photo:url('https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1477959858617-67f85cf4f1df?q=80&w=1600&auto=format&fit=crop')" class="absolute inset-0 block px-[0.12em] py-[0.1em] bg-[image:linear-gradient(oklch(0.5_0.1_260/0.35),oklch(0.5_0.1_260/0.35)),var(--tth11-photo),linear-gradient(120deg,var(--color-tth11-acc),oklch(0.6_0.18_300))] bg-cover bg-center bg-clip-text text-transparent [mask-image:radial-gradient(circle_var(--tth11-r)_at_var(--tth11-x,50%)_var(--tth11-y,50%),#000_38%,transparent_100%)] [-webkit-mask-image:radial-gradient(circle_var(--tth11-r)_at_var(--tth11-x,50%)_var(--tth11-y,50%),#000_38%,transparent_100%)] transition-[--tth11-r] duration-550 ease-[cubic-bezier(.3,.9,.2,1)] group-hover/torch:[--tth11-r:170px] group-focus-visible/torch:[--tth11-r:60em] pointer-coarse:[--tth11-r:60em] motion-reduce:transition-none">MIDNIGHT<br>ATLAS</span>
    </a>
    <a href="#tth11-top" class="inline-flex min-h-11 items-center gap-2 rounded-full bg-tth11-acc px-5 text-sm font-bold text-tth11-bg no-underline transition-[translate,box-shadow] duration-300 hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:shadow-[0_10px_30px_-8px_var(--color-tth11-acc)] focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-4 focus-visible:outline-tth11-acc">Reserve a walk <span aria-hidden="true">&rarr;</span></a>
    <p class="max-w-[56ch] text-[12.5px] leading-[1.7] text-tth11-mut">Sweep the cursor across the letters &mdash; the photo lives inside the glyphs; a radial <code class="rounded bg-tth11-chip px-1.5 py-px font-tth11-mono text-[0.92em] text-tth11-acc">mask-image</code> at <code class="rounded bg-tth11-chip px-1.5 py-px font-tth11-mono text-[0.92em] text-tth11-acc">var(--tth11-x) var(--tth11-y)</code> is the torch. <kbd class="rounded-[5px] border border-b-2 border-white/15 bg-tth11-chip px-1.5 py-0.5 font-tth11-mono text-[11px]">Tab</kbd> floods it fully lit.</p>
  </div>
</section>
@import "tailwindcss";

@property --tth11-r {
  syntax: '<length>';
  inherits: true;
  initial-value: 0px;
}

@theme {
  --color-tth11-bg: #0b0e16;
  --color-tth11-bg: oklch(0.15 0.012 265);
  --color-tth11-glow: #161a29;
  --color-tth11-glow: oklch(0.2 0.025 270);
  --color-tth11-chip: #1a1e2a;
  --color-tth11-chip: oklch(0.23 0.015 265);
  --color-tth11-ink: #eaedf3;
  --color-tth11-ink: oklch(0.94 0.01 250);
  --color-tth11-mut: #9aa0ae;
  --color-tth11-mut: oklch(0.71 0.02 255);
  --color-tth11-acc: #f0c14b;
  --color-tth11-acc: oklch(0.83 0.14 85);
  --font-tth11-sans: 'Archivo', system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-tth11-mono: 'JetBrains Mono', ui-monospace, monospace;
}

.tth-11 {
  width: 100%;
  min-height: 100svh;
}
(function () {
  var wrap = document.querySelector('[data-tth11-torch]');
  if (!wrap) return;
  wrap.addEventListener('pointermove', function (e) {
    var r = wrap.getBoundingClientRect();
    wrap.style.setProperty('--tth11-x', (e.clientX - r.left) + 'px');
    wrap.style.setProperty('--tth11-y', (e.clientY - r.top) + 'px');
  });
  wrap.addEventListener('pointerleave', function () {
    wrap.style.removeProperty('--tth11-x');
    wrap.style.removeProperty('--tth11-y');
  });
})();

Setup — do this once per project

Skip this if your project already runs Tailwind v4.

1Load Tailwind
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@tailwindcss/browser@4"></script>

Compiles in the browser — perfect for a CodePen or a quick test, not for production.

2Add the stylesheetRequiredthe @theme block is what makes the custom utilities exist
@import "tailwindcss";

@property --tth11-r {
  syntax: '<length>';
  inherits: true;
  initial-value: 0px;
}

@theme {
  --color-tth11-bg: #0b0e16;
  --color-tth11-bg: oklch(0.15 0.012 265);
  --color-tth11-glow: #161a29;
  --color-tth11-glow: oklch(0.2 0.025 270);
  --color-tth11-chip: #1a1e2a;
  --color-tth11-chip: oklch(0.23 0.015 265);
  --color-tth11-ink: #eaedf3;
  --color-tth11-ink: oklch(0.94 0.01 250);
  --color-tth11-mut: #9aa0ae;
  --color-tth11-mut: oklch(0.71 0.02 255);
  --color-tth11-acc: #f0c14b;
  --color-tth11-acc: oklch(0.83 0.14 85);
  --font-tth11-sans: 'Archivo', system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-tth11-mono: 'JetBrains Mono', ui-monospace, monospace;
}

.tth-11 {
  width: 100%;
  min-height: 100svh;
}
3Fonts used by this demooptional — skip if you have your own type stack
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Archivo:wdth,wght@62..125,500..900&family=JetBrains+Mono:wght@400;600&display=swap">

What changed in the port

Which parts became utilities, which stayed CSS, and why.

  • The script now finds its target by data-tth11-torch instead of a BEM class, and writes namespaced --tth11-x/y so two demos on a page can't steal each other's pointer.
  • .wrap:hover .beam{--cth11-r:170px} became group-hover/torch:[--tth11-r:170px]; the radius @property is the only CSS left.
  • UI upgrade from the CSS original: touch screens get pointer-coarse:[--tth11-r:60em] — the photo is fully revealed, instead of a hollow outline nobody can light. A gradient sits under the photo so a failed hotlink still glows.
  • UI upgrade: the hollow layer uses a 3px stroke under a stage-coloured fill ([paint-order:stroke_fill]), hiding variable-font contour overlaps; Archivo Expanded at 115% width gives the torch more interior to light; and a real Reserve a walk CTA was added.
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 demo 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: Tailwind Spotlight Text Reveal on Mouse Hover
Source: https://codefronts.com/motion/tailwind-css-text-hover-effects/tailwind-spotlight-text-reveal-on-mouse-hover/

A night-photography headline where the cursor is a torch: a city photo lives inside the glyphs (bg-clip-text), hidden by a radial mask-image centred at var(--tth11-x) var(--tth11-y). A 12-line script writes the coordinates; Tailwind does everything else, including the typed radius that grows from 0 to 170px on hover.
## HTML
```html
<section class="tth-11 w-full min-h-svh grid place-items-center bg-tth11-bg bg-[radial-gradient(100%_80%_at_50%_100%,var(--color-tth11-glow),var(--color-tth11-bg)_65%)] px-5 py-14 font-tth11-sans text-tth11-ink" aria-label="Spotlight text reveal demo">
  <div class="flex flex-col items-center gap-[clamp(18px,3.4vw,28px)] text-center">
    <p class="text-xs font-bold uppercase tracking-[0.28em] text-tth11-mut">Night photography walks &mdash; booking winter 2026</p>
    <a id="tth11-top" href="#tth11-top" data-tth11-torch class="group/torch relative inline-block rounded-md px-[0.12em] py-[0.1em] text-[clamp(52px,11.5vw,118px)] font-black leading-[1.02] tracking-[-0.02em] [font-stretch:115%] no-underline [--tth11-r:0px] focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-8 focus-visible:outline-tth11-acc">
      <span class="block text-tth11-bg [paint-order:stroke_fill] [-webkit-text-stroke:3px_color-mix(in_oklch,var(--color-tth11-ink)_45%,transparent)]">MIDNIGHT<br>ATLAS</span>
      <span aria-hidden="true" style="--tth11-photo:url('https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1477959858617-67f85cf4f1df?q=80&w=1600&auto=format&fit=crop')" class="absolute inset-0 block px-[0.12em] py-[0.1em] bg-[image:linear-gradient(oklch(0.5_0.1_260/0.35),oklch(0.5_0.1_260/0.35)),var(--tth11-photo),linear-gradient(120deg,var(--color-tth11-acc),oklch(0.6_0.18_300))] bg-cover bg-center bg-clip-text text-transparent [mask-image:radial-gradient(circle_var(--tth11-r)_at_var(--tth11-x,50%)_var(--tth11-y,50%),#000_38%,transparent_100%)] [-webkit-mask-image:radial-gradient(circle_var(--tth11-r)_at_var(--tth11-x,50%)_var(--tth11-y,50%),#000_38%,transparent_100%)] transition-[--tth11-r] duration-550 ease-[cubic-bezier(.3,.9,.2,1)] group-hover/torch:[--tth11-r:170px] group-focus-visible/torch:[--tth11-r:60em] pointer-coarse:[--tth11-r:60em] motion-reduce:transition-none">MIDNIGHT<br>ATLAS</span>
    </a>
    <a href="#tth11-top" class="inline-flex min-h-11 items-center gap-2 rounded-full bg-tth11-acc px-5 text-sm font-bold text-tth11-bg no-underline transition-[translate,box-shadow] duration-300 hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:shadow-[0_10px_30px_-8px_var(--color-tth11-acc)] focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-4 focus-visible:outline-tth11-acc">Reserve a walk <span aria-hidden="true">&rarr;</span></a>
    <p class="max-w-[56ch] text-[12.5px] leading-[1.7] text-tth11-mut">Sweep the cursor across the letters &mdash; the photo lives inside the glyphs; a radial <code class="rounded bg-tth11-chip px-1.5 py-px font-tth11-mono text-[0.92em] text-tth11-acc">mask-image</code> at <code class="rounded bg-tth11-chip px-1.5 py-px font-tth11-mono text-[0.92em] text-tth11-acc">var(--tth11-x) var(--tth11-y)</code> is the torch. <kbd class="rounded-[5px] border border-b-2 border-white/15 bg-tth11-chip px-1.5 py-0.5 font-tth11-mono text-[11px]">Tab</kbd> floods it fully lit.</p>
  </div>
</section>
```
## CSS
```css
@import "tailwindcss";

@property --tth11-r {
  syntax: '<length>';
  inherits: true;
  initial-value: 0px;
}

@theme {
  --color-tth11-bg: #0b0e16;
  --color-tth11-bg: oklch(0.15 0.012 265);
  --color-tth11-glow: #161a29;
  --color-tth11-glow: oklch(0.2 0.025 270);
  --color-tth11-chip: #1a1e2a;
  --color-tth11-chip: oklch(0.23 0.015 265);
  --color-tth11-ink: #eaedf3;
  --color-tth11-ink: oklch(0.94 0.01 250);
  --color-tth11-mut: #9aa0ae;
  --color-tth11-mut: oklch(0.71 0.02 255);
  --color-tth11-acc: #f0c14b;
  --color-tth11-acc: oklch(0.83 0.14 85);
  --font-tth11-sans: 'Archivo', system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-tth11-mono: 'JetBrains Mono', ui-monospace, monospace;
}

.tth-11 {
  width: 100%;
  min-height: 100svh;
}
```

## JavaScript
```js
(function () {
  var wrap = document.querySelector('[data-tth11-torch]');
  if (!wrap) return;
  wrap.addEventListener('pointermove', function (e) {
    var r = wrap.getBoundingClientRect();
    wrap.style.setProperty('--tth11-x', (e.clientX - r.left) + 'px');
    wrap.style.setProperty('--tth11-y', (e.clientY - r.top) + 'px');
  });
  wrap.addEventListener('pointerleave', function () {
    wrap.style.removeProperty('--tth11-x');
    wrap.style.removeProperty('--tth11-y');
  });
})();
```

How this works

Two layers, one mask. The base layer is the outlined word. Above it sits an identical, aria-hidden layer whose background is the photo, clipped to the glyphs. A radial mask hides everything outside a circle:

<span class="absolute inset-0 bg-[image:…,var(--tth11-photo)] bg-cover bg-clip-text
  text-transparent [mask-image:radial-gradient(circle_var(--tth11-r)_at_
  var(--tth11-x,50%)_var(--tth11-y,50%),#000_38%,transparent_100%)]
  transition-[--tth11-r] group-hover/torch:[--tth11-r:170px]">

The script only measures. On pointermove it writes the pointer's position, relative to the link, into --tth11-x/--tth11-y on the link; the layer inherits them. On leave it removes them so the mask recentres.

Keyboard focus sets the radius to 60em — the whole word floods with light — so focus users get the full reveal instead of a torch they can't aim.

Make it yours

  • Beam size: change 170px; softer edge: lower the #000_38% stop.
  • Different photo: edit the --tth11-photo URL in the inline style.
  • No JS: drop the script and the mask stays centred — a hover-to-reveal iris.

Gotchas — read before shipping

  • The radius must be a registered <length> (@property) or the beam pops open instead of growing.
  • Safari still needs -webkit-mask-image; both are declared.
  • Hotlinked photos can fail — the tinted gradient under the photo keeps the word visible.

Browser support

ChromeSafariFirefoxEdge
120+16.4+128+120+

Unprefixed mask-image is Chrome 120+; Safari uses the prefixed copy.

Techniques used in this demo

Utilitiesfirst-class utility or variant

background-clip: texttw ↗

Plain CSSno Tailwind surface

@propertytw ↗

HTML & JSno Tailwind involved

pointer eventsMDN ↗

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