CSS Arrow Generator
Generate CSS arrows and triangles with live preview. Create directional indicators, tooltip arrows, breadcrumb separators, and navigation elements. Includes solid, outlined, tailed, and rounded arrow styles with customizable size and colors.
Arrow Properties
Live Preview
Recommended Settings
Best Practices
- •Use pseudo-elements (::before/::after) for decorative arrows
- •Position arrows absolutely relative to parent containers
- •Match arrow colors to adjacent elements for cohesion
Tooltip Tips
- •Place arrow at edge of tooltip pointing toward trigger
- •Use negative margins to overlap arrow with tooltip border
- •Adjust arrow position dynamically for different placements
Pro Tips
- •Border triangle method is most browser-compatible
- •clip-path offers complex shapes but check browser support
- •Combine with box-shadow for depth and elevation
Most Popular
Size: 10-20px for tooltips, Solid triangle style most common
When to Use This Tool
Add directional arrows to tooltips, popovers, and dropdown menus to point to their trigger elements. Essential for creating polished UI components that clearly indicate relationships.
Recommended: UI Components
Create directional indicators and separators for breadcrumbs, pagination, and multi-step forms. Help users understand navigation flow and current position in a sequence.
Recommended: Navigation
Design attention-grabbing callouts, speech bubbles, and annotations for documentation, tutorials, and marketing materials. Guide user focus with clear directional indicators.
Recommended: Content Design
How It Works
Select arrow direction (up, down, left, right)
Choose arrow style (solid, outlined, with tail, rounded)
Adjust size with width and height sliders
Pick colors for fill and border
Copy CSS for element or pseudo-element usage
100% Private
Files never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your browser.
Lightning Fast
Powered by Pure CSS using border method and clip-path for optimal performance on modern browsers.
Open Source
Built with verified, open-source libraries. Fully transparent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the CSS border triangle method work?
CSS triangles use a 0x0 element with thick borders. When borders meet at a point, they create diagonal lines. By making some borders transparent and one border colored, you create a triangle shape pointing in any direction.
What's the difference between solid and outlined arrows?
Solid arrows are filled with color using the border method. Outlined arrows have transparent fills with visible borders, creating a hollow appearance. Outlined arrows require additional styling for best results.
When should I use pseudo-elements for arrows?
Use ::before or ::after pseudo-elements when adding arrows to existing elements without modifying HTML. Perfect for tooltips, dropdowns, and any component where arrows are decorative additions rather than core content.
Are CSS arrows better than icon fonts or SVGs?
CSS arrows are smaller in file size, don't require additional HTTP requests, and are easily customizable with CSS. However, SVGs offer more complex shapes. Use CSS for simple directional indicators and SVG for detailed arrow graphics.
How do I position arrows for tooltips?
Use absolute positioning on the arrow element relative to the tooltip container. Calculate the position based on arrow direction: for upward arrows, position at bottom; for left arrows, position at right, etc. Add negative margins for precise alignment.