Split Ring Spinner
A ring cracks into two halves that drift apart while it makes a half turn, then snap back together. The halves are the same bordered circle clipped with clip-path inset, one per side.
Also known as: two halves spinner, breaking circle loader, separating ring animation.
HTML
<div class="ldr-split-ring" role="status" aria-label="Loading"> <span style="--d: -1"></span><span style="--d: 1"></span> </div>
CSS
.ldr-split-ring {
--s: var(--ldr-size, 48px);
--c: var(--ldr-color, #3b82f6);
position: relative;
width: var(--s);
height: var(--s);
animation: ldr-split-ring-turn 1.6s cubic-bezier(0.7, 0, 0.3, 1) infinite;
}
.ldr-split-ring span {
position: absolute;
inset: 0;
border: calc(var(--s) / 8) solid var(--c);
border-radius: 50%;
clip-path: inset(0 calc(50% + var(--s) / 32) 0 0);
animation: ldr-split-ring-part 1.6s cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.5, 1) infinite;
}
.ldr-split-ring span + span {
border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--ldr-color, #3b82f6) 55%, transparent);
clip-path: inset(0 0 0 calc(50% + var(--s) / 32));
}
@keyframes ldr-split-ring-turn {
0%, 15% { transform: rotate(0deg); }
85%, 100% { transform: rotate(180deg); }
}
@keyframes ldr-split-ring-part {
0%, 100% { transform: translateX(0); }
35%, 65% { transform: translateX(calc(var(--d) * var(--s) / 7)); }
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.ldr-split-ring, .ldr-split-ring *, .ldr-split-ring::before, .ldr-split-ring::after, .ldr-split-ring *::before, .ldr-split-ring *::after {
animation-duration: 3s;
}
}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.