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What is Website Hamburger Menu?

4 min to read

The hamburger menu is a minimalist navigation icon consisting of three horizontal lines (☰) that opens a menu of a certain website or application when clicked upon and is very often used in applications on phones or other mobile devices.

The hamburger menu icon has action and is a way of displaying extra options in a restricted screen size.

Pro Tip:
Always write the term “Menu” or an ARIA label for the hamburger menu icon.
Key Takeaways:
  • There must be clear touchpoints, elements, and structure for a good experience
  • Hamburger menus take up less space on the screen which is ideal for mobile screens but may lead to hidden hyperlinks
  • If you have a few items for navigation or are thinking of visibility, other options can be considered
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What is Website Hamburger Menu?

How does the hamburger menu function?

The hamburger menu acts as a vertical or horizontal drawer that contains the navigation. At the time of the interaction, it unsheathes to show within itself a set of navigation areas, often somewhere to the right or above the window.

Some websites offer many hyperlinks, that may lead to a page cluttered and messy; the hamburger menu is popular in web and mobile design because it displays the navigation options without crowding the screen. This is especially important on smaller screens where every pixel counts.

Pro Tip:
Consider using a “Priority+” navigation pattern, combining a hamburger menu with a few visible key links for the most important sections.

What should a website hamburger menu be used for?

A hamburger menu should be used for the following functions:

  • Main Navigation: Websites with many sections may seem messy or disorganized, use the hamburger menu to give it an organized look and keep things findable.

  • Secondary Navigation: “About Us” or “Contact” links can be stored in the hamburger menu.

How is the hamburger menu implemented in web development?

Normally, it is created out of a combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript but many web development frameworks also provide ready-made hamburger menu components for convenience.

Pro Tip:
Check the menu on different devices and variables to ensure that the interpretation of the hamburger and its functionality is correct.

What are the alternatives to the hamburger menu?

Consider these alternatives when planning the arrangement of your website:

  • Tab Bar: Ideal for placing a few primary categories directly, it is a horizontal arrangement of icons found at the bottom section of the screen of the device.

  • Priority + Navigation: This is a mixed method, in which some main links are presented prominently and others are tucked away in a hamburger menu style.
Pro Tip:
If you don’t have many items to illustrate the menu options, a tab bar can be used. Another option is to display all the hyperlinks on the page instead of hiding them in a separate location.

Does the hamburger menu affect the accessibility of a website or app?

Yes, the hamburger menu facilitates the creation of pleasant designs and makes the most out of the space available but if implemented wrongly could make the app or website less accessible to its users. 

Although it helps by providing a space-efficient solution, it can also hide several important navigational links hence making content inaccessible to users, especially those with disabilities.

Key accessibility considerations:

  • Clear Labeling: Make certain the hamburger icon is described with the label “Menu” or an ARIA label meant for screen readers such as the word ‘Menu’.

  • Keyboard Navigation: Users should be able to interact with the menu without using a mouse or a touchpad (e.g. users having only the keyboard available).

  • Focus States: Make it easy for users to determine which menu item has been focused by highlighting or otherwise identifying such a menu item.

What are the hamburger menu design pros and cons?

Although being a common design pattern, the hamburger menu has its own benefits and drawbacks:

  • Space: It gets rid of clutter (it may affect especially on smaller screens) but it may lead to concealed navigational features and added additional touch or click to bring these features out.

  • Interface: It allows a clean look which enhances the contemporary feel of any layout but such an icon is not common and so it may be a source of confusion to some people.

  • UX: It’s great for different screen sizes due to its adaptation but may create barriers for users with disabilities using assistive technologies.

Conclusion

In web and app design, the hamburger menu is a device that helps to conserve space in the structuring of the navigation of the site or app primarily for smaller screens. 

As with any other aspect, considering the advantages and disadvantages of this feature, designers can make an informed decision whether to include it or not in their works. 

Ample evidence suggests that the hamburger menu is an invaluable feature in more ways than one but accessibility and usability should always be emphasized during the designing process.

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