Typing Indicator
The chat-app 'someone is typing' bubble: three small dots lifting in turn inside a rounded pill. Use it for streaming AI responses and message threads.
Also known as: chat typing bubble, someone is typing animation.
HTML
<div class="ldr-typing-dots" role="status" aria-label="Typing"> <span></span><span></span><span></span> </div>
CSS
.ldr-typing-dots {
--s: var(--ldr-size, 48px);
--c: var(--ldr-color, #3b82f6);
display: inline-flex;
align-items: center;
gap: calc(var(--s) / 10);
padding: calc(var(--s) / 5) calc(var(--s) / 3.5);
border-radius: 999px;
background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--ldr-color, #3b82f6) 12%, transparent);
}
.ldr-typing-dots span {
width: calc(var(--s) / 6);
height: calc(var(--s) / 6);
border-radius: 50%;
background: var(--c);
animation: ldr-typing-dots-lift 1.2s ease-in-out infinite;
}
.ldr-typing-dots span:nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 0.15s; }
.ldr-typing-dots span:nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 0.3s; }
@keyframes ldr-typing-dots-lift {
0%, 60%, 100% { transform: translateY(0); opacity: 0.5; }
30% { transform: translateY(calc(var(--s) / -8)); opacity: 1; }
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
.ldr-typing-dots, .ldr-typing-dots *, .ldr-typing-dots::before, .ldr-typing-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="inline-flex items-center gap-1 rounded-full bg-blue-500/10 px-3 py-2" role="status" aria-label="Typing"> <span class="h-2 w-2 animate-bounce rounded-full bg-blue-500"></span> <span class="h-2 w-2 animate-bounce rounded-full bg-blue-500 [animation-delay:0.15s]"></span> <span class="h-2 w-2 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.