This tutorial will guide you through creating a responsive hexagon grid layout using HTML and CSS. This technique is useful for visually appealing presentations of various data, including images and text, and is especially effective when aiming for a modern and unique design.
Step 1: Include Header Assets
First, add these lines within the <head> section of your HTML document to link necessary fonts from Google Fonts:
<link href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans:400italic,700italic,800italic,400,700,800' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'> <link href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Raleway:400,700,300,200,100,900' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'> <link href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Amatic+SC:400,700' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'>
Step 2: Create the HTML Structure
Next, create the main HTML structure for your hexagon grid. This uses an unordered list (<ul>) for the layout, with list items (<li>) representing each hexagon. The pusher class is used to adjust spacing.
<ul id="categories" class="clr">
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/10944255073_973d2cd25c.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title a bit longer</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8461/8048823381_0fbc2d8efb.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4144/5053682635_b348b24698.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/10384422264_d9c7299146.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6217/6216951796_e50778255c.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6083/6055581292_d94c2d90e3.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6092/6227418584_d5883b0948.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6895047173_d4b1a0d798.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li><li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/12953056854_b8cdf14f21.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6139/5986939269_10721b8017.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3165/5733278274_2626612c70.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6822904141_50277565c3.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/13199704015_72aa535bd7.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6083/6055581292_d94c2d90e3.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6895047173_d4b1a0d798.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/10944255073_973d2cd25c.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8461/8048823381_0fbc2d8efb.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4144/5053682635_b348b24698.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/10384422264_d9c7299146.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6217/6216951796_e50778255c.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6083/6055581292_d94c2d90e3.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6092/6227418584_d5883b0948.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6895047173_d4b1a0d798.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/12953056854_b8cdf14f21.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/10944255073_973d2cd25c.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8461/8048823381_0fbc2d8efb.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4144/5053682635_b348b24698.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/10384422264_d9c7299146.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6217/6216951796_e50778255c.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6083/6055581292_d94c2d90e3.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6092/6227418584_d5883b0948.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6895047173_d4b1a0d798.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/12953056854_b8cdf14f21.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6139/5986939269_10721b8017.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3165/5733278274_2626612c70.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6822904141_50277565c3.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/13199704015_72aa535bd7.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6083/6055581292_d94c2d90e3.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6895047173_d4b1a0d798.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6139/5986939269_10721b8017.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3165/5733278274_2626612c70.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6822904141_50277565c3.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/13199704015_72aa535bd7.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6083/6055581292_d94c2d90e3.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
<li class="pusher"></li>
<li>
<div>
<img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6895047173_d4b1a0d798.jpg" alt=""/>
<h1>This is a title</h1>
<p>Some sample text about the article this hexagon leads to</p>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<a id="fork" target="_blank" href="https://github.com/web-tiki/responsive-grid-of-hexagons">Fork on GitHub</a>
Step 3: Add CSS Styling
Now, style your hexagon grid using CSS. The CSS below handles the hexagon shape, layout, and responsive behavior. Key properties like transform, skewY, and pseudo-elements are used to create the hexagon effect and maintain the grid structure.
body{
font-family: 'Open Sans', arial, sans-serif;
background:rgb(123, 158, 158);
}
*{
margin:0;
padding:0;
}
#categories{
overflow:hidden;
width:90%;
margin:0 auto;
}
.clr:after{
content:"";
display:block;
clear:both;
}
#categories li{
position:relative;
list-style-type:none;
width:27.85714285714286%; /* = (100-2.5) / 3.5 */
padding-bottom: 32.16760145166612%; /* = width /0.866 */
float:left;
overflow:hidden;
visibility:hidden;
-webkit-transform: rotate(-60deg) skewY(30deg);
-ms-transform: rotate(-60deg) skewY(30deg);
transform: rotate(-60deg) skewY(30deg);
}
#categories li:nth-child(3n+2){
margin:0 1%;
}
#categories li:nth-child(6n+4){
margin-left:0.5%;
}
#categories li:nth-child(6n+4), #categories li:nth-child(6n+5), #categories li:nth-child(6n+6) {
margin-top: -6.9285714285%;
margin-bottom: -6.9285714285%;
-webkit-transform: translateX(50%) rotate(-60deg) skewY(30deg);
-ms-transform: translateX(50%) rotate(-60deg) skewY(30deg);
transform: translateX(50%) rotate(-60deg) skewY(30deg);
}
#categories li:nth-child(6n+4):last-child, #categories li:nth-child(6n+5):last-child, #categories li:nth-child(6n+6):last-child{
margin-bottom:0%;
}
#categories li *{
position:absolute;
visibility:visible;
}
#categories li > div{
width:100%;
height:100%;
text-align:center;
color:#fff;
overflow:hidden;
-webkit-transform: skewY(-30deg) rotate(60deg);
-ms-transform: skewY(-30deg) rotate(60deg);
transform: skewY(-30deg) rotate(60deg);
-webkit-backface-visibility:hidden;
}
/* HEX CONTENT */
#categories li img{
left:-100%; right:-100%;
width: auto; height:100%;
margin:0 auto;
}
#categories div h1, #categories div p{
width:90%;
padding:0 5%;
background-color:#008080; background-color: rgba(0, 128, 128, 0.8);
font-family: 'Raleway', sans-serif;
-webkit-transition: top .2s ease-out, bottom .2s ease-out, .2s padding .2s ease-out;
-ms-transition: top .2s ease-out, bottom .2s ease-out, .2s padding .2s ease-out;
transition: top .2s ease-out, bottom .2s ease-out, .2s padding .2s ease-out;
}
#categories li h1{
bottom:110%;
font-style:italic;
font-weight:normal;
font-size:1.5em;
padding-top:100%;
padding-bottom:100%;
}
#categories li h1:after{
content:'';
display:block;
position:absolute;
bottom:-1px; left:45%;
width:10%;
text-align:center;
z-index:1;
border-bottom:2px solid #fff;
}
#categories li p{
padding-top:50%;
top:110%;
padding-bottom:50%;
}
/* HOVER EFFECT */
#categories li div:hover h1 {
bottom:50%;
padding-bottom:10%;
}
#categories li div:hover p{
top:50%;
padding-top:10%;
}
#fork{
position:fixed;
top:0;
left:0;
color:#000;
text-decoration:none;
border:1px solid #000;
padding:.5em .7em;
margin:1%;
transition: color .5s;
overflow:hidden;
}
#fork:before {
content: '';
position: absolute;
top: 0; left: 0;
width: 130%; height: 100%;
background: #000;
z-index: -1;
transform-origin:0 0 ;
transform:translateX(-100%) skewX(-45deg);
transition: transform .5s;
}
#fork:hover {
color: #fff;
}
#fork:hover:before {
transform: translateX(0) skewX(-45deg);
}
Congratulations! You’ve successfully created a responsive hexagon grid layout using HTML and CSS.