Glow effects are a staple of design. They add to the aesthetic and create a mood. Everything from a buzzing neon sign to a sci-fi thriller movie comes to mind.
The web is a perfect medium to take advantage of them. We can use them to enhance large presentations. Glow effects are also at home on small micro-interactions like hovering on a button. They’re incredibly versatile.
Crafting these effects can be as simple as using CSS. Want to kick things up a notch? JavaScript libraries like GSAP will get you there. Either way, the possibilities are immense.
Speaking of possibilities, let’s explore a collection of radiant glow effects. Each snippet has something unique to offer. They also run the gamut of use cases. Let’s get started!
Neuro Noise Animated Background with GLSL Shader
Created by Ksenia Kondrashova
Talk about creating a spooky vibe! This animated background looks like it came straight out of the X-Files. The presentation is also interactive. Move your pointing device and watch the green glow shift.
See the Pen Neuro Noise (GLSL Shader) by Ksenia Kondrashova
CSS Scroll-Driven Glow Cards
Created by Jhey
Card layouts are endlessly flexible. Here, glow effects are the star of the show. GSAP is used to apply a new color to each card as you scroll. The light and shading make things both mysterious and legible.
See the Pen CSS Scroll-Driven Glow Cards ⚡️ by Jhey
Glowing Neon Digital Clock with CSS & JavaScript
Created by wheatup
A beautiful cobalt glow perfectly compliments a digital clock. Notice how the characters within the shadow change along with the hours, minutes, and seconds. It’s a powerful way to display the time.
See the Pen Neon Clock (CSS) by wheatup
Multiple Glow Effects Animation
Created by Simon Goellner
Here’s a more practical example of glow effects in action. Choose between a half-dozen different hover effects on this glowing button. Its border progressively lights up with the chosen pattern. It’s a surefire way to get a user’s attention.
See the Pen Multiple Glow effects Button by Simon Goellner
Smooth-Scrolling Rainbow Smoothie Gradients
Created by Denise Trocchi
Who wants something bubbly to drink? This smooth-scrolling example adds luminescence to the mix. Each virtual smoothie has a color identity of its own. Gradients help give them a glow, while the navigation also sports a hover effect.
See the Pen Rainbow Smoothie (Smooth Scrolling #CodePenChallenge) by Denise Trocchi
Glass-Like Animated Supabase Ticket
Created by Gambhir Sharma
Check out the mesmerizing details of this virtual ticket. The lighting-bolt icon features a color-changing effect that looks prismatic. A glass-like style ties the entire presentation together.
See the Pen Supabase Ticket | CSS | by Gambhir Sharma
Infinite Pulsating Gray Glow
Created by Shane Burns
This animation offers a haunting retro look. The pulsing gray glow gives a sense of moving through space at high speeds. We’re not sure where this spaceship is going. But it looks like we’ll get there quickly.
See the Pen Infinite by Shane Burns
Glassmorphic Modern Landing Page
Created by Juxtopposed
Here’s an example of how glow effects can dress up a page. Soft colors appear behind the hero text and buttons. They’re little details that add personality to otherwise generic elements.
See the Pen Glassmorphic Modern Landing page with Squircle Buttons (Responsive) by Juxtopposed
Just Glowing about the Possibilities
Glow effects are the perfect finishing touch to a component. They make even small elements stand out. We can also use them to improve the user experience (UX).
CSS has come a long way in making these effects easy to implement. Plus, adding a bit of JavaScript can help you create something immersive.
The examples above demonstrate the possibilities. Hopefully, they inspire you to use glow effects in new ways!
If you want to see even more glow effect snippets, check out our CodePen collection.
8 Radiant Glow Effects Made with CSS and JavaScript Medianic.
