In this article, learn how to create amazing gradient borders with animation using CSS. We've taught you everything about how to change border color, animation speed, thickness, and size easily using simple steps. Make your website attractive by using these techniques.

Are you ready to learn gradient borders with animation using CSS? Let's dive in! Explore exciting design techniques now!

Table of contents

1. How to create a gradient border
2. How to create a gradient border with animation
3. Unlocking User Engagement: Optimizing UX with CSS Gradient Borders

1. How to create a gradient border

<div class="box">
    <!-- Your content here -->
</div>

This HTML code defines a container with the class name "box". It's where we'll apply the gradient border effect.

 

body {
    background-color: black;
    height: 100vh;
    display: grid;
    place-items: center;
}

.box {
    height: 250px;
    width: 250px;
    border: 10px solid transparent;
    border-radius: 5px;
    background: linear-gradient(black, black) padding-box,
        linear-gradient(var(--angle), crimson, steelblue) border-box;
}

@property --angle {
    syntax: "<angle>";
    initial-value: 0deg;
    inherits: false;
}

 

 

I will guide you through each of the properties we are using.

1. border: The provided code, border: 10px solid transparent, creates a 10-pixel thick solid border that is initially transparent.

2. Border-radius: The provided code includes border-radius: 5px, which rounds the box's corners by 5 pixels.

3. Background: In the provided code, background: linear-gradient(black, black) padding-box, linear-gradient(var(--angle), crimson, steelblue) border-box; sets the background of the box. It includes two gradients: one for the inner area (padding-box) with a solid black color, and another for the border area (border-box) with a gradient transitioning from crimson to steelblue.

4. @property --angle: The @property is a CSS at-rule used to define custom properties. The --angle is a custom property defined in the provided code. It allows for dynamic control over the angle of the gradient used in the border. The syntax, initial-value, and inherits declarations specify the syntax, initial value, and inheritance behavior of the custom property, respectively.

Okay, we've got the gradient border set up, but how about adding some animation to make it more dynamic? Let's see.

2. How to create a gradient border with animation

Now it's very easy. We can easily rotate the box's border color using the keyframe with animation property.

Add this code to the CSS from the above example to start the animation, which will trigger the border to rotate around your element.

.box {
    animation: 5s rotate linear infinite;
}

@keyframes rotate {
    to {
        --angle: 360deg;
    }
}

• 5s: Duration of 5 seconds.

• rotate: The name of the animation corresponds to @keyframes rotate.

• linear: Timing function, indicating that the animation progresses evenly over time.

• infinite: Iteration count, specifying that the animation repeats indefinitely.

2. Keyframes:

• rotate: The name of the keyframe animation corresponds to the animation property.

• to: Specifies the end state of the animation.

• --angle: 360deg: Defines the style change at the end of the animation, in this case, setting the custom property --angle to 360deg.

The animation property is used to apply animations with specific properties, while the @keyframes rule defines the specific style changes happening over the animation's lifetime. These two work together to create animated effects in CSS.

3. Unlocking User Engagement: Optimizing UX with CSS Gradient Borders

1. Engage Users: To make the user interface more attractive, gradient borders can be added to buttons, sliders, and toggles. Due to this, user engagement can be increased.

2. Boost Visual Appeal: Using gradient borders to frame images or multimedia content can enhance the attractiveness of your website or app.

3. Loading Spinners and Progress Indicators: Adding gradient borders to loading spinners and progress indicators can help users feel less frustrated while waiting. This gives them engaging visual cues and shows the progress being made.

4. Text Highlighting: Use gradient borders to highlight specific text elements within paragraphs or headings. This feature can emphasize crucial concepts or stylishly highlight specific text.

5. Call-to-Action Elements: A gradient border can be added to call-to-action elements like buttons, banners, and links to make them more noticeable and impactful.