The Scratch Burger Menu is a popular user interface element designed to provide a compact and intuitive navigation experience. It is widely used in web and mobile applications to toggle visibility of menu options while saving valuable screen space.
Originating from the iconic “hamburger” icon — three horizontal lines stacked vertically — this menu style offers an elegant solution to handling navigation on devices with limited screen real estate.
What is a Burger Menu?
At its core, a burger menu is a button typically located in a corner of the interface, often the top left or right. When tapped or clicked, it expands or slides out a menu panel containing navigation links or additional options.
This design pattern helps declutter the UI by hiding complex navigation behind a simple icon. Despite some criticism regarding discoverability, it remains a go-to choice for responsive and minimalist designs.
“The burger menu balances simplicity and functionality, enabling users to access navigation without overwhelming the interface.” — UX Design Expert
Why Build a Burger Menu from Scratch?
Building a burger menu from scratch offers complete control over its appearance, behavior, and accessibility. Instead of relying on third-party libraries or frameworks, creating one manually ensures it aligns perfectly with your project’s requirements.
This approach helps developers understand the underlying mechanics such as event handling, CSS animations, and responsive design principles.
Advantages of Creating a Burger Menu Yourself
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Customization | You customize styles, animations, and behavior without constraints. |
| Performance | Lightweight code optimized for your specific needs improves loading time. |
| Accessibility | Ensures semantic markup and keyboard navigation tailored to your users. |
| Learning | Deepens understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript interplay. |
Key Components of a Burger Menu
Designing a burger menu involves three essential parts:
- Trigger Button: The clickable hamburger icon that toggles the menu visibility.
- Menu Panel: The container that holds navigation links or menu items.
- Overlay (optional): A semi-transparent backdrop that covers the rest of the screen when the menu is open, improving focus.
Each component plays a critical role in the user experience and overall functionality.
The Hamburger Icon
The hamburger icon is usually composed of three parallel horizontal lines. It serves as a recognizable symbol that users associate with menu options.
Creating this icon can be done through:
- SVG graphics for scalability.
- CSS-generated lines using
divelements. - Icon fonts or images, though these are less flexible.
Menu Panel Design
The menu panel can slide in from the side, drop down from the top, or appear as a modal overlay. Its layout depends on the application’s design goals and platform conventions.
Common features include:
- Vertical list of links or buttons.
- Grouping of related navigation items.
- Optional icons accompanying text labels.
- Responsive behavior adapting to screen size.
Overlay Usage
An overlay dims the background content, drawing attention to the open menu. It also serves as an intuitive area for users to click or tap to close the menu.
While not mandatory, overlays enhance usability and accessibility, preventing accidental interaction with the page behind the menu.
Accessibility Considerations
Accessibility is critical when designing interactive components like burger menus. Proper semantic HTML and ARIA attributes ensure that all users, including those using assistive technologies, can navigate the menu effectively.
| Accessibility Aspect | Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Navigation | Allow toggling the menu with keyboard (e.g., Enter or Space) and tabbing through menu items. |
| ARIA Roles | Use aria-controls, aria-expanded, and role="menu" to communicate state and relationships. |
| Focus Management | Trap focus within the menu when open; return focus to the trigger when closed. |
| Screen Reader Labels | Add descriptive labels such as aria-label="Main menu" or aria-labelledby. |
Building a Simple Burger Menu: Step-by-Step
Here is a breakdown of the steps involved in building a basic burger menu from scratch using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
HTML Structure
The foundation consists of a button that toggles the menu and a container for the navigation links.
<button id="burger-button" aria-controls="nav-menu" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation menu">
<span class="burger-line"></span>
<span class="burger-line"></span>
<span class="burger-line"></span>
</button>
<nav id="nav-menu" role="menu" hidden>
<ul>
<li role="menuitem"><a href="#">Home</a></li>
<li role="menuitem"><a href="#">About</a></li>
<li role="menuitem"><a href="#">Services</a></li>
<li role="menuitem"><a href="#">Contact</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
CSS Styling
Styles define the appearance of the burger icon, the hidden menu, and transitions when toggling visibility.
/* Burger Button */
#burger-button {
background: none;
border: none;
cursor: pointer;
padding: 10px;
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
justify-content: space-around;
width: 30px;
height: 25px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.burger-line {
width: 100%;
height: 3px;
background-color: #e74c3c;
border-radius: 2px;
transition: all 0.3s ease;
}
/* Navigation Menu */
#nav-menu {
position: absolute;
top: 60px;
right: 20px;
background-color: white;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
box-shadow: 0 8px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
padding: 10px 20px;
border-radius: 5px;
width: 150px;
display: none;
}
#nav-menu[hidden] {
display: none;
}
#nav-menu ul {
list-style: none;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
}
#nav-menu li {
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
#nav-menu li:last-child {
margin-bottom: 0;
}
#nav-menu a {
color: #2c3e50;
text-decoration: none;
font-weight: 600;
display: block;
}
#nav-menu a:hover, #nav-menu a:focus {
color: #e74c3c;
outline: none;
}
JavaScript Functionality
The script handles toggling the menu visibility, updating ARIA attributes, and managing focus for accessibility.
const burgerButton = document.getElementById('burger-button');
const navMenu = document.getElementById('nav-menu');
burgerButton.addEventListener('click', () => {
const expanded = burgerButton.getAttribute('aria-expanded') === 'true' || false;
burgerButton.setAttribute('aria-expanded', !expanded);
if (expanded) {
navMenu.setAttribute('hidden', '');
} else {
navMenu.removeAttribute('hidden');
navMenu.querySelector('a').focus();
}
});
// Close menu when clicking outside
document.addEventListener('click', (event) => {
if (!burgerButton.contains(event.target) && !navMenu.contains(event.target)) {
burgerButton.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false');
navMenu.setAttribute('hidden', '');
}
});
// Keyboard navigation support
burgerButton.addEventListener('keydown', (event) => {
if (event.key === 'Escape') {
burgerButton.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false');
navMenu.setAttribute('hidden', '');
burgerButton.focus();
}
});
Enhancing the Burger Menu
Once the basic menu is functional, various enhancements can improve usability and aesthetics.
Animation and Transitions
Adding smooth animations for opening and closing the menu provides a polished feel. CSS transitions or keyframe animations can transform the hamburger icon into a close icon.
For example, rotating and fading the lines, or morphing the icon into an “X” shape, inform users visually about the menu state.
Responsive Design
Ensuring the burger menu adapts seamlessly across devices is crucial. Media queries can hide the full navigation on small screens and display the burger menu instead.
On larger screens, the menu might be persistently visible, while on smaller ones, the burger menu becomes the primary navigation method.
Submenus and Nested Navigation
Complex websites often require multi-level navigation. Adding nested menus inside the burger menu demands careful handling of toggling and keyboard navigation.
Expanding and collapsing submenus with clear indicators improves clarity and user control.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
While burger menus are popular, some common issues should be avoided for a better user experience.
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Poor Discoverability | Use clear labels or tooltips, or incorporate a visible label next to the icon. |
| Slow Animation | Optimize CSS animations for smooth performance without delay. |
| Accessibility Barriers | Implement ARIA roles and keyboard controls to support all users. |
| Overcrowded Menus | Limit menu items and prioritize important links to avoid overwhelming users. |
Real-World Examples
Many renowned websites and apps use burger menus effectively:
- Facebook Mobile App: Uses a burger menu to access secondary features and settings.
- Spotify Mobile: Employs a slide-in burger menu for navigation between playlists and settings.
- GitHub: On smaller viewports, the burger menu consolidates navigation options.
Studying these implementations offers insights into practical design and usability strategies.
Conclusion
The Scratch Burger Menu exemplifies a practical, space-efficient navigation pattern. Building it from scratch empowers developers to tailor it precisely, ensuring optimal performance, style, and accessibility.
By understanding its components, implementing semantic markup, and refining interaction design, you can create a burger menu that enhances user experience across platforms.
“A well-crafted burger menu is invisible when you don’t need it, but instantly accessible when you do.” — Interface Designer
Invest time in testing your menu with real users and assistive technologies to confirm it meets usability standards. With careful design and implementation, the burger menu remains a timeless solution in modern UI design.
