Bouncing Dots Loader
Three dots bounce up and down in a staggered rhythm. The friendliest loader in the set, and the one most people picture when they say 'loading dots'.
Also known as: three dots loader, jumping dots.
HTML
<div class="ldr-bouncing-dots" role="status" aria-label="Loading"> <span></span><span></span><span></span> </div>
CSS
.ldr-bouncing-dots {
--s: var(--ldr-size, 48px);
--c: var(--ldr-color, #3b82f6);
display: flex;
align-items: flex-end;
gap: calc(var(--s) / 6);
height: calc(var(--s) * 0.75);
}
.ldr-bouncing-dots span {
width: calc(var(--s) / 4);
height: calc(var(--s) / 4);
border-radius: 50%;
background: var(--c);
animation: ldr-bouncing-dots-bounce 0.5s ease-in-out infinite alternate;
}
.ldr-bouncing-dots span:nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 0.16s; }
.ldr-bouncing-dots span:nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 0.32s; }
@keyframes ldr-bouncing-dots-bounce {
from { transform: translateY(0); }
to { transform: translateY(calc(var(--s) / -2)); }
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.ldr-bouncing-dots, .ldr-bouncing-dots *, .ldr-bouncing-dots::before, .ldr-bouncing-dots::after {
animation-duration: 3s;
}
}Tailwind CSS version
The same loader using only Tailwind's built-in animation utilities. No custom keyframes or config needed.
<div class="flex items-end gap-2 h-9" role="status" aria-label="Loading"> <span class="h-3 w-3 animate-bounce rounded-full bg-blue-500"></span> <span class="h-3 w-3 animate-bounce rounded-full bg-blue-500 [animation-delay:0.15s]"></span> <span class="h-3 w-3 animate-bounce rounded-full bg-blue-500 [animation-delay:0.3s]"></span> </div>
Customizing this loader
- Color: set
--ldr-coloron the element or a parent. Currently previewing#3b82f6. - Size: set
--ldr-size. Every dimension in the snippet is derived from it. Currently previewing64px. - Speed: change the duration on the
animationshorthand. Delays on the children are relative, so they keep their rhythm. - Accessibility: the root carries
role="status"and anaria-labelso screen readers announce the wait. The reduced-motion rule at the end slows the animation for users who asked for less motion.