Hamburger Menu
A navigation icon consisting of three horizontal lines that reveals a hidden menu when tapped, standard on mobile devices. While space-efficient, hamburger menus hide navigation and reduce discoverability—consider keeping key links visible. In Framer, create hamburger menus with component variants that animate between open and closed states.
Breakpoint Variant
Framer
A version of a component or layout specifically designed for a particular screen size, allowing different arrangements at each breakpoint. This approach provides precise control over how elements restack, resize, or hide across devices. In Framer, create breakpoint variants to transform horizontal navbars into mobile hamburger menus or reflow card grids into single columns.
Dropdown
Components
An interactive element that reveals a list of options when clicked, saving space while providing multiple choices. Dropdowns work best with 5-15 options—fewer suggests radio buttons, more suggests search or typeahead. Ensure dropdown menus are keyboard accessible and work well on touch devices.
Dropdown Menu
Components
A navigation pattern where hovering or clicking reveals a submenu of additional links or options. Dropdown menus organize complex navigation hierarchies while keeping the main navigation clean. Test timing and hover zones carefully—frustrating dropdowns that close unexpectedly harm user experience. See Make Responsive Dropdown Menus From Scratch.
Header Navigation
Layout
The primary navigation links typically placed in the site header, providing access to main sections. Header navigation should prioritize the most important destinations while remaining uncluttered. Design mobile variations carefully, often using hamburger menus to save space.
Mega Menu
Components
An expanded dropdown navigation revealing multiple categories, links, and sometimes images in a large panel. Mega menus work well for sites with extensive content hierarchies like e-commerce or documentation. Design mega menus carefully to avoid overwhelming users with too many options.
Navigation Menu
Components
A collection of links enabling users to move between pages and sections of a website. Navigation menus should be consistent, clearly labeled, and organized logically based on user mental models. Test navigation with users to ensure labels and structure are intuitive.