Flashing Dots Loader
Three dots fade in and out one after another. Nothing moves or resizes, which makes this the safest dots loader for dense UI and tiny inline spots.
Also known as: fading dots, blinking dots loader.
HTML
<div class="ldr-flashing-dots" role="status" aria-label="Loading"> <span></span><span></span><span></span> </div>
CSS
.ldr-flashing-dots {
--s: var(--ldr-size, 48px);
--c: var(--ldr-color, #3b82f6);
display: flex;
gap: calc(var(--s) / 8);
}
.ldr-flashing-dots span {
width: calc(var(--s) / 4);
height: calc(var(--s) / 4);
border-radius: 50%;
background: var(--c);
animation: ldr-flashing-dots-fade 1s ease-in-out infinite;
}
.ldr-flashing-dots span:nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 0.2s; }
.ldr-flashing-dots span:nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 0.4s; }
@keyframes ldr-flashing-dots-fade {
0%, 100% { opacity: 0.2; }
50% { opacity: 1; }
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.ldr-flashing-dots, .ldr-flashing-dots *, .ldr-flashing-dots::before, .ldr-flashing-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 gap-1.5" role="status" aria-label="Loading"> <span class="h-3 w-3 animate-pulse rounded-full bg-blue-500"></span> <span class="h-3 w-3 animate-pulse rounded-full bg-blue-500 [animation-delay:0.2s]"></span> <span class="h-3 w-3 animate-pulse rounded-full bg-blue-500 [animation-delay:0.4s]"></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.