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HTML and HTML5 Tutorials:
How to Create a Responsive & Cross-Browser Dropdown Nav Menu Using CSS & jQuery Code?
reading time
Reading Time:
00:07 Minutes
implement time
Implement Time:
00:20 Minutes

Introduction to Responsive & Cross-Browser Navigation Menu

A responsive navigation menu is essential for ensuring smooth and user-friendly navigation across devices. The way dropdown menus behave on desktop and mobile can significantly impact usability.

In this tutorial, we will:

  • Build a modern dropdown navigation menu using CSS and jQuery.
  • Implement a hamburger menu for mobile screens.
  • Ensure that dropdown menus are always visible on mobile screens.
  • Use FontAwesome for icons.
  • Optimize for cross-browser compatibility.

This guide is perfect for developers looking to create a simple, responsive, and accessible navigation menu.

Step 1: HTML Structure

The HTML structure remains the same, defining a navigation bar with dropdown menus.

HTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
	<meta charset="UTF-8">
	<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
	<title>Responsive Dropdown Navigation</title>
	<link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">
	<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script>
	<script src="script.js" defer></script>
	<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.4.2/css/all.min.css">
</head>
<body>

<header>
	<nav class="nav-container">
		<div class="logo">
			<img src="assets/logo.png" alt="Logo">
		</div>

		<button class="menu-toggle">
			<i class="fas fa-bars"></i>
		</button>

		<ul class="nav-menu">
			<li><a href="#">Home</a></li>
			<li><a href="#">About</a></li>
			<li class="dropdown">
				<a href="#">Services <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></a>
				<ul class="dropdown-menu">
					<li><a href="#">Web Design</a></li>
					<li><a href="#">SEO</a></li>
					<li><a href="#">Marketing</a></li>
				</ul>
			</li>
			<li><a href="#">Portfolio</a></li>
			<li><a href="#">Contact</a></li>
		</ul>
	</nav>
</header>

</body>
</html>

Step 2: CSS for Styling

Create a style.css file and apply the following styles:

CSS
/* Default */
* {
	margin: 0;
	padding: 0;
	box-sizing: border-box;
}

body {
	font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
	background-color: #f4f4f4;
}

/* Navigation */
.nav-container {
	display: flex;
	justify-content: space-between;
	align-items: center;
	background: #012b3b;
	padding: 15px 20px;
	position: relative;
}

.logo img {
	height: 50px;
}

/* Menu Items */
.nav-menu {
	display: flex;
	list-style: none;
}

.nav-menu li {
	position: relative;
}

.nav-menu a {
	text-decoration: none;
	color: white;
	padding: 12px 18px;
	display: block;
	transition: background 0.3s;
}

.nav-menu a:hover {
	background: #ec7f03;
}

/* Dropdown Menu */
.dropdown-menu {
	position: absolute;
	left: 0;
	top: 100%;
	background: #034a69;
	min-width: 200px;
	list-style: none;
	display: none;
}

.dropdown-menu li {
	border-bottom: 1px solid #0b6688;
}

.dropdown-menu a {
	padding: 10px;
	color: white;
}

.dropdown:hover .dropdown-menu {
	display: block;
}

.menu-toggle {
	display: none;
	font-size: 24px;
	background: none;
	border: none;
	color: white;
	cursor: pointer;
}

/* Responsive Menu */
@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {
	.nav-menu {
		display: none;
		flex-direction: column;
		width: 100%;
		background: #012b3b;
		position: absolute;
		top: 60px;
		left: 0;
		z-index: 100;
	}

	.nav-menu.show {
		display: flex;
	}

	.dropdown-menu {
		position: relative;
		display: block !important;
		background: none;
		padding-left: 20px;
	}

	.dropdown-menu li {
		border: none;
	}

	.dropdown-menu a {
		padding-left: 25px;
	}

	.menu-toggle {
		display: block;
	}
}

Step 3: jQuery for Interactivity

We only need jQuery to toggle the mobile menu, since the dropdowns will always remain open below 767px.

JAVASCRIPT
$(document).ready(function () {
	// Toggle mobile menu
	$(".menu-toggle").click(function () {
		$(".nav-menu").toggleClass("show");
	});

	// Hide menu when clicking outside
	$(document).click(function (event) {
		if (!$(event.target).closest("nav").length) {
			$(".nav-menu").removeClass("show");
		}
	});
});

How This Code Works

This fully responsive navigation menu:

  • Hides the dropdown menu on desktop by default.
  • Displays the dropdown on hover for desktops.
  • Always keeps the dropdown menu visible on mobile.
  • Uses a hamburger button (fa-bars) to toggle the menu.
  • Ensures accessibility by keeping child items visible without requiring a click.
Key Features
  • Dropdown menu is always open for screens < 767px.
  • No hover or click needed for mobile dropdowns.
  • Smooth mobile toggle animation using jQuery.
  • Cross-browser compatibility for a seamless experience.

Final Thoughts

A responsive navigation menu enhances user experience, making it easy to navigate across different screen sizes.

With mobile-first indexing becoming increasingly important, ensuring proper navigation usability is a must. This tutorial showcased a modern dropdown menu that:

  • Works flawlessly across all devices (desktop, tablet, and mobile).
  • Uses only CSS to ensure dropdowns remain open for mobile devices.
  • Provides a smooth, interactive experience with minimal jQuery.
Further Enhancements
  • Improve animations for smooth transitions.
  • Use ARIA attributes for better accessibility.
  • Enhance styling for a more modern look.

By following this comprehensive guide, you can create a mobile-friendly dropdown navigation menu that is stylish, functional, and effective across all devices, ensuring an optimal and seamless user experience.

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