What is a hamburger menu? It’s the three horizontal lines in the top left corner of a website or app. It saves screen space and works well on mobile devices.
The hamburger menu icon hides menu items in a navigation drawer. This guide further explains what a hamburger menu is and when to use or avoid it.
Hamburger menus simplify navigation on mobile devices, but building a responsive website requires the right tools. Website builders allow you to design professional, user-friendly sites that work across all screen sizes. Check out our recommended website builders to launch a website optimized for mobile usability and user experience.
Create a Mobile-Friendly Website with These Top Builders
| Provider | User Rating | Recommended For | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 4.6 | Beginners | Visit Hostinger |
 | 4.4 | Pricing | Visit IONOS |
 | 4.2 | Design | Visit Squarespace |
What is a Hamburger Menu? The Basics
Discover what a hamburger menu is and why it matters today.
Defining the Hamburger Icon and Its Function
A hamburger menu icon is a user interface element with three horizontal lines. It hides menu options for a clutter-free environment and cleaner layouts. This ubiquitous icon is also called a mobile menu or navigation drawer.
The hamburger button often appears in the top left corner of a website or app. When tapped, this three-lined icon shows a hidden menu with navigation links. The control menu may slide out or drop down.
Its main purpose is to save valuable screen space on mobile devices where so few pixels exist. Hiding navigational elements helps designers show core features. It keeps the menu design effective for multiple devices and smaller screens.
A Brief History of the Hamburger Button
The hamburger menu gained popularity long before mobile applications existed. Norm Cox designed this program’s icon in 1981 for the Xerox personal workstation. That was years before smartphones or responsive menu layouts.
It became widely known when Twitter used it in 2008. iOS added the hamburger menu in 2009 for mobile-first design. This improved user engagement and helped mobile users navigate easily.
Today, the three horizontal lines stacked are a key visual cue in web design. The hamburger button appears on multiple devices and mobile apps. Many websites use it as a key user interface feature.
The Pros and Cons of Hamburger Menus
Explore the key pros and cons of hamburger menus today.
Hamburger Menu Pros: Why the Design is Popular
The hamburger menu has many advantages for user interfaces. It works well for designers with little screen real estate. These benefits explain its use on multiple devices.
- Clean Look: The hamburger button uses little space on a page. It creates a clutter-free environment for users. It helps conserve screen space and keeps a strong visual appeal.
- Direct Access: The menu lets users go straight to a desired page. It improves the user journey for everyone. Fewer steps reach important apps’ features faster.
- Effective on Mobile: A hamburger menu works well for smaller screens on devices. Traditional menus take too much valuable screen space. Mobile users enjoy this compact and easy navigation solution.
- Touch-Friendly: The square menu button shape fits well for finger operation. It works smoothly on touchscreens for better user behavior. It helps the navigation process across all screen sizes.
The Drawbacks: Usability and Engagement Concerns
The hamburger menu can hurt user experience and user engagement. It may also reduce overall website performance for users.
- Low Discoverability: Hiding navigation makes users less likely to find menu items.
- Poor User Experience: Hidden menus need more time and clicks to navigate. Visible navigation options made the process faster for users.
- Signals Less Importance: Putting features behind a hamburger icon can lower user engagement. It makes people click less on important menu options.
- Accessibility Issues: The menu icon can be hard for users with disabilities. Without labels for screen readers, it hurts inclusive design.
When to Use a Hamburger Menu (and When to Avoid It)
Learn when to use a hamburger menu and when to skip it.
The Great Debate: Desktop vs. Mobile Implementation
A hamburger menu works best based on the target audience and device usage. Hidden navigation hurts user experience more on desktops than on mobile devices.
To know when it works, check real user data. Nielsen Norman Group found a 20% drop in hidden navigation over visible menu items.
| Metric / Characteristic | Desktop Usage | Mobile Usage |
| Navigation Usage (Hidden) | 27% of cases. | 57% of cases. |
| Time to Find Navigation | 5-7 seconds longer. | ~2 seconds longer. |
| Overall Task Time | At least 39% slower. | 15% slower. |
| General Recommendation | Avoid; use visible navigation | Use if needed (>4 top-level links) |
This data shows why the hamburger menu style works differently. Desktop users think differently from mobile users. Mobile users are used to hidden navigation.
The Best Use Case for Hamburger Menus: Mobile Websites
Mobile devices are the main time when hamburger menus help. With more than four navigation links, the hamburger icon fits small phone screens.
The usability penalty is smaller for limited screen space. Mobile users know this navigation pattern from many mobile apps.
With four or fewer links, use visible navigation bars. That gives direct access and avoids hidden menu problems.
Why You Should Avoid the Hamburger Icon on Desktop
The Nielsen Norman Group says not to use hidden navigation on the desktop user interface. Desktops have enough screen real estate to show navigation options at the top or side.
A hamburger menu on a desktop makes more work for real users. The desktop version should keep the main menu items easy to see.
Your target audience uses desktop and mobile devices differently. Desktop users scan navigation bars. Mobile users tap menu icons to open navigation options.
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7 Best Practices for an Effective Hamburger Menu Design
Discover the seven best practices for creating an effective hamburger menu design.
1. Add a “Menu” Label to the Hamburger Button
Adding a text label like “Menu” beside the hamburger icon makes it clear. This visual feedback helps users know the purpose of the menu design.
A/B tests show this change can raise clicks. The label matches user preferences and makes navigation easier.
Not all users know that three horizontal lines mean a menu. Adding visual cues removes guessing and improves user engagement on multiple devices.
2. Test Your Menu Design Thoroughly
Use A/B testing and remote usability testing to check if your hamburger menu design works well. Don’t assume users know the icon without proof from real user data.
Testing shows how your target audience uses hamburger menu examples. Some like traditional menus, others like an expanded menu for easy access on all screen sizes.
Watch menu usage rates, task times, and user satisfaction. These numbers show if the resulting displayed menu list fits the user’s needs.
3. Use Clear Animation and Transitions
Animate the hamburger button so it changes to an “X” when the resulting displayed menu list opens. That gives clear visual feedback for easy access and user experience.
Ensure menu slides are smooth on all screen sizes. Poor animations make the user interface feel slow on all screen sizes. They frustrate website owners and visitors using the hamburger menu design.
Add subtle motion when the navigation drawer appears. It helps users see the connection between the button and the hamburger menu design.
4. Ensure Accessibility in Your Menu Design
Add alternative text or ARIA labels to the hamburger button for screen readers. This helps users using assistive technology to find and use the menu options.
Accessibility considerations mean more than labels. The expanded menu should use clear heading tags for navigation. Keyboard navigation helps users access all website pages easily.
Test your hamburger menu design with actual screen reader software. This can reveal problems missed in visual design. It also improves the user experience for everyone.
5. Combine with Other Navigation Patterns
Try a hybrid navigation with a hamburger menu in the tab bar. It lets users open website pages and key features quickly. That gives users direct access to the main features while hiding secondary items.
Hybrid navigation patterns show that some menu items are more important than others. Core features get prime space, while secondary options stay behind the hamburger icon.
This works well for mobile apps with smaller screens. It balances easy access within screen real estate limits.
6. Optimize the Expanded Main Menu
A menu should stand out from the main content using overlays or background changes. These web design techniques help make website pages clear and easy to use.
Navigation links must be clean, readable, and simple for users to scan. Your expanded menu design should maintain consistency with your UI design principles. Colors, typography, and spacing should feel cohesive with the rest of your interface.
Order menu items carefully for better navigation on a website. Place the most important options first so users find them fast.
7. Provide In-Page Links to Key Content
Avoid relying only on the hamburger menu for all navigation. Add key calls-to-action and links inside your web pages for visibility.
Place navigation elements strategically across pages on a website. Some users may never interact with the hamburger icon.
Plan the user journey and add links where users expect them. This improves navigation success and customer satisfaction across most websites.
How to Create a Hamburger Menu for Your Website
Learn steps to create a hamburger menu for your website.
Building Your Website Foundation
Start with a strong website foundation before adding any hamburger menu. The best website builders offer mobile-friendly templates and easy tools for beginners.
Platforms like Hostinger or IONOS help create hamburger menu designs without coding. These work well on e-commerce sites and other web pages across devices.
For bigger projects, pick a CMS or website builder. The best web hosting provider boosts speed, improves user satisfaction, and supports businesses online.
Technical Implementation: The Code Behind the Menu Button
The hamburger menu needs HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to work well. Knowing these helps match your website design and improve user satisfaction.
- HTML: The structure uses <div> or <span> elements to form three horizontal lines. Semantic markup helps screen readers read the hamburger menu icon correctly.
- CSS: Styles change the look and add animations to the hamburger menu design. Responsive design helps the menu work on all screen sizes and devices.
- JavaScript: JavaScript turns the hamburger menu on or off by changing CSS classes. Event listeners watch for clicks and help play animations.
No-Code Solutions: Using Website Builders
Most website builders include hamburger menu options with no coding needed. They focus on mobile devices and easy menu changes.
Platforms like Hostinger, IONOS, and Squarespace use drag-and-drop. You can change menu styles and add animations easily.
These builders offer responsive menus that fit all screen sizes. They help website owners focus on content and a good user experience.
3 Excellent Hamburger Menu Examples
Discover 3 excellent hamburger menu examples that boost user experience.
1. Gmail App
Gmail shows a classic hamburger menu in the top-left corner of mobile screens. This clean design works well in many mobile apps.
Tapping the hamburger button opens a menu that slides from the left side. The menu items are easy to scan and well grouped.
Smooth animations and visual feedback improve the user interface. The sliding menu helps users see the link between the button and the menu.
2. Facebook App
Facebook uses a hybrid hamburger menu at the bottom of the screen. This keeps the top clean and shows important features first.
Main features like News Feed and Notifications get their own tabs. Other options stay hidden behind the hamburger icon to reduce clutter.
Placing the menu at the bottom helps users reach it easily. This design saves space and improves user experience on small screen sizes.
3. Pipsnacks Mobile Site
Pipsnacks uses a hamburger button with fun animation to engage users. The menu folds out from the top with a cool effect.
This shows hamburger menus can be fun and easy to use. Animation makes the user interface more lively and still simple to navigate.
Brands can add personality to common navigation menus. This keeps menus useful and improves user experience on all screen sizes.
Top Alternatives to the Hamburger Menu Style
Discover smart navigation styles that work in place of hamburger menus.
Tab Bars (Bottom or Top Navigation)
Tab bars show navigation options at the bottom of mobile screens for easy thumb use. This style helps discoverability more than saving space.
- Pros: High visibility shows where you are and gives easy access. Users can quickly see options without making extra taps.
- Cons: Only four or five items fit on the screen. More options make layouts cramped and hurt usability on smaller screens.
Tab bars work well for apps with clear primary functions. Users access these functions often during their session.
Swipe-able Pages
Swipe navigation lets users move left or right between sections, like Tinder. This gesture-based approach saves space and shows more content.
- Pros: It saves maximum screen space and helps organize features or content. The interaction feels natural and easy on touch devices.
- Cons: It lacks discoverability because users can’t see options easily. Success requires onboarding or knowing the navigation pattern.
This approach works best for linear workflows with simple, sequential steps. It also fits apps with clear content categories.
Floating or Prominent Menu Button
Floating Action Buttons (FAB) are like a hamburger menu, but circular. They sit in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Pros: More prominent positioning can help users see and click navigation faster. It makes the trigger clearer than hamburger icons.
- Cons: It still hides navigation options behind a click for users. Poor positioning can block content and hurt user experience.
This pattern works well for apps needing one main action visible. It keeps secondary options easy but not distracting.
Conclusion
The hamburger menu works well for mobile but needs careful design. It saves screen space on smaller devices. Also, hidden navigation can hurt user experience on desktop platforms.
Want more tips? Explore how to make an artist’s website. It explains how to design navigations that improve usability and customer satisfaction.
Next Steps: What Now?
Discover more tips to improve navigation menus and user experience.
- Learn about website usability testing.
- Create a website with a phone to optimize navigation.
- Keep header navigation visually clear with header design tips.
- Learn the fundamentals to build your website.
Further Reading & Useful Resources
Explore more guides on hamburger menus and web navigation best practices.
- Understand sitemaps: Learn the structure and benefits of the sitemap guide.
- Simplify site build: Read one-page website strengths and simplicity.
- Website design ideas: Learn inspiring website designs.
- Essential website tips: Learn tips for building a website from scratch.
- Website widgets: Learn about website widgets.
