What is :hover in CSS? A Complete Guide

The :hover pseudo-class in CSS is used to apply styles to an element when the user hovers over it with a mouse or other pointing device. This is commonly used to enhance user experience by providing visual feedback, such as changing colors, adding animations, or displaying hidden elements when an element is hovered over.

In this blog, we’ll explore how :hover works, its common use cases, and best practices to make your website more interactive and engaging.

1. How Does :hover Work?

The :hover pseudo-class is applied to an HTML element, and the styles defined in it will take effect only when the user hovers over that element.

Basic Syntax:

selector:hover {
    /* Styles applied when hovered */
}

✅ Works with almost all elements, including links, buttons, divs, images, and text.
✅ Typically used for interactivity and UI feedback.

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2. Common Use Cases of :hover

1. Hover Effect on Links

One of the most common uses of :hover is changing link colors when a user hovers over them.

Example: Changing Link Color on Hover

a {
    color: blue;
    text-decoration: none;
}

a:hover {
    color: red;
    text-decoration: underline;
}

🔹 When a user hovers over the link, it turns red and becomes underlined.

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2. Button Hover Effects

Adding a hover effect on buttons improves user experience by making interactions more intuitive.

Example: Button Background Change on Hover

button {
    background-color: #007BFF;
    color: white;
    padding: 10px 20px;
    border: none;
    cursor: pointer;
}

button:hover {
    background-color: #0056b3;
}

🔹 The button changes background color when hovered, indicating interactivity.

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3. Image Hover Effects

You can also create hover effects on images to create zoom-in, fade, or grayscale effects.

Example: Image Zoom on Hover

img {
    width: 300px;
    transition: transform 0.3s ease-in-out;
}

img:hover {
    transform: scale(1.1);
}

🔹 The image zooms in slightly when hovered, creating a dynamic effect.

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4. Show Hidden Elements on Hover

Using :hover, you can display hidden elements like dropdowns, tooltips, or additional information.

Example: Show a Tooltip on Hover

.tooltip {
    position: relative;
    display: inline-block;
}

.tooltip-text {
    visibility: hidden;
    background-color: black;
    color: white;
    text-align: center;
    padding: 5px;
    border-radius: 5px;
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 100%;
    left: 50%;
    transform: translateX(-50%);
    opacity: 0;
    transition: opacity 0.3s;
}

.tooltip:hover .tooltip-text {
    visibility: visible;
    opacity: 1;
}

🔹 The tooltip becomes visible when the user hovers over the .tooltip element.

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3. Advanced Hover Effects

1. Adding a Hover Transition Effect

To make hover effects smooth, use the transition property.

button {
    background-color: #ff5733;
    color: white;
    padding: 10px 20px;
    border: none;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: background-color 0.3s ease;
}

button:hover {
    background-color: #c70039;
}

🔹 The button changes color smoothly instead of instantly.

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2. CSS Hover Animation

You can combine :hover with @keyframes to create animations.

Example: Rotate an Element on Hover

.rotate:hover {
    transform: rotate(360deg);
    transition: transform 0.5s ease-in-out;
}

🔹 The element rotates when hovered.

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3. Hover Effect on Multiple Elements

You can apply :hover to parent elements and affect child elements.

Example: Change a Child Element on Parent Hover

.parent:hover .child {
    color: red;
}

🔹 The .child text changes red when the user hovers over .parent.

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4. Best Practices for Using :hover

✅ Use hover for interactive elements – Avoid unnecessary hover effects on non-interactive elements.
✅ Ensure mobile-friendliness – :hover doesn’t work on touch devices, so provide an alternative like :focus.
✅ Use smooth transitions – Avoid instant changes; transitions make the effect more natural.
✅ Maintain accessibility – Ensure hover effects don’t hinder usability for screen readers.

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5. Conclusion

The :hover pseudo-class in CSS is a powerful tool for creating interactive and visually appealing elements. Whether it’s changing colors, displaying tooltips, adding animations, or showing hidden content, :hover can significantly enhance user experience.

By using transitions, animations, and child selectors, you can create smooth and responsive hover effects that improve the look and feel of your website.