How can I add :before and :after effects in Webflow?
TL;DR
- Assign a unique class to your element in Webflow and add custom CSS with
:beforeor:afterpseudo-elements in the Page or Site Settings under the "Head" section. - Publish your site to see the effect, as pseudo-elements won’t appear in the Designer.
To use :before and :after pseudo-elements in Webflow, you'll need to use custom code, as Webflow’s Designer doesn’t natively support styling these pseudo-elements through its UI.
1. Add a Custom Class to the Target Element
- Select the element (such as a
div,button, orheading) you want to add the:beforeor:aftereffect to. - In the Selector field, assign a unique class (e.g.,
custom-element).
2. Inject Custom CSS Using the Page or Site Settings
- Go to the Page Settings or Project Settings > Custom Code tab.
- Paste your CSS into the “Inside
<style>tag” section under the “Head” area.
Example CSS snippet:
<style>.custom-element::before { content: ""; display: block; width: 100px; height: 2px; background: black; margin-bottom: 10px;}</style>Key Notes:
- Use either
::beforeor::afterdepending on where you want the effect to appear. - You must define
**content**for the pseudo-element to render. Even if it's blank, it needs to be there. - Style it from scratch since Webflow’s UI won’t show or preview it.
3. Publish Your Site to See the Changes
- Changes will not display inside the Webflow Designer.
- Click Publish and view the live site to see your pseudo-elements.
4. Optional: Target by Combo Classes or IDs
- You can write more specific selectors if needed, such as
.custom-element.large::after, or#myDiv::before.
Summary
To use :before and :after effects in Webflow, assign a class to your target element and add the necessary custom CSS with pseudo-elements in your site or page settings. These effects only appear on the published site, not in the Designer.