4 Ways to Animate the Color of a Text Link on Hover

Let's explore four CSS techniques to create a smooth color transition for text links on hover, avoiding a simple color swap. We'll prioritize accessibility, performance, and broad browser compatibility.

Method 1: background-clip: text

Currently, background-clip: text is experimental and lacks support in older browsers (IE11 and below). This method uses a gradient and clips it to the text.

The HTML is simple: <a href="https://www.php.cn/link/93ac0c50dd620dc7b88e5fe05c70e15b">Link Hover</a>

The CSS involves creating a gradient with a hard stop, using overflow: hidden for clipping, and manipulating background-clip, background-size, and background-position to control the transition:

a {
  position: relative;
  display: inline-block;
  font-size: 2em;
  font-weight: 800;
  color: royalblue;
  overflow: hidden;
  background: linear-gradient(to right, midnightblue, midnightblue 50%, royalblue 50%);
  background-clip: text;
  -webkit-background-clip: text; /* For older WebKit browsers */
  -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
  background-size: 200% 100%;
  background-position: 100%;
  transition: background-position 275ms ease;
}
a:hover {
  background-position: 0 100%;
}

A drawback: Safari and Chrome may clip text decorations (like underlines).

Method 2: width/height Manipulation

This approach utilizes a data attribute and a ::before pseudo-element to create the effect. Text decorations work correctly here.

HTML: <a data-content="Link Hover" href="https://www.php.cn/link/93ac0c50dd620dc7b88e5fe05c70e15b">Link Hover</a>

CSS: We manage the width (or height) of the pseudo-element to control the color reveal.

a {
  position: relative;
  display: inline-block;
  font-size: 2em;
  color: royalblue;
  font-weight: 800;
  text-decoration: underline;
  overflow: hidden;
}
a::before {
  position: absolute;
  content: attr(data-content);
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  color: midnightblue;
  text-decoration: underline;
  overflow: hidden;
  width: 0;
  white-space: nowrap;
  transition: width 275ms ease;
}
a:hover::before {
  width: 100%;
}

However, transitions using width or height are less performant than those using transform or opacity.

Method 3: clip-path

This method employs the clip-path property with a polygon shape, dynamically adjusting the polygon vertices on hover.

The HTML remains the same as Method 2. The CSS uses a ::before pseudo-element and manipulates the clip-path property:

a::before {
  position: absolute;
  content: attr(data-content);
  color: midnightblue;
  text-decoration: underline;
  clip-path: polygon(0 0, 0 0, 0% 100%, 0 100%);
  transition: clip-path 275ms ease;
}
a:hover::before {
  clip-path: polygon(0 0, 100% 0, 100% 100%, 0 100%);
}

Browser support for clip-path varies, and this method can impact browser paint performance.

Method 4: transform: translateX()

This technique uses a masking approach with a <span></span> element and a ::before pseudo-element, improving accessibility with aria-hidden="true".

HTML: Link Hover

CSS: We use transform: translateX() to slide the masked element into view.

span {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  overflow: hidden;
  transform: translateX(-100%);
  transition: transform 275ms ease;
}
span::before {
  display: inline-block;
  content: attr(data-content); /*  Assuming data-content is added to the <a> tag */
  color: midnightblue;
  transform: translateX(100%);
  transition: transform 275ms ease;
  text-decoration: underline;
}
a:hover span, a:hover span::before {
  transform: translateX(0);
}</a>

This method offers good browser compatibility and performance due to its use of transform. It requires slightly more markup, however.

Each technique offers a unique approach to achieving the animated color change on hover. The best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities regarding browser support and performance.

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