4.3 · Navigation

Mega Menu.

Hover any top-level link in the demo and a wide multi-column panel drops down — with a featured tile on the right.

What it is

A large dropdown panel that appears when you hover over (or click) a navigation item. Unlike a simple dropdown with a list of links, a mega menu can contain multiple columns of links, featured images, highlighted promotions, icons, and mini descriptions. Common on e-commerce sites, documentation portals, and large corporate websites.

How it works

When the user hovers a navigation link, an absolutely-positioned full-width panel appears below the nav bar. This panel is typically organized into 3–5 columns, each containing a category heading and 4–8 links. One column might be a "Featured" panel with an image and a CTA. The panel appears with a subtle fade or slide-in. Close when mouse leaves both the link and the panel.

position:absoluteThe mega menu panel is absolutely positioned below the nav bar
Hover triggerDesktop: hover on nav link shows the panel. Mobile: tap/click instead.
Multi-column gridInside the panel, links are organized into 3–5 columns using CSS Grid
Featured columnOne column with an image and CTA — draws attention to a promoted item

Live demo

Hover "Women" (or any link). Click outside or move away to close.

Live · hover Women
Maison.
StoresAccountBag (2)
Clothing
  • Dresses
  • Tops & tees
  • Jeans & trousers
  • Jackets & coats
  • Skirts
  • Knitwear
Accessories
  • Bags
  • Shoes
  • Jewelry
  • Scarves
  • Belts
  • Hats
By occasion
  • Work
  • Weekend
  • Evening
  • Travel
  • Holiday
  • Wedding guest

Real mega menus, real mouse hover.

This is a full implementation of the pattern — hover detection, fade-up transition, four-column grid, featured tile, and a click-outside dismissal. Plug it into any e-commerce header.

Copy this prompt

Prompt · 4.3 Mega Menu
Create a mega menu for an e-commerce fashion website. Navbar has links: Women, Men, Kids, Sale. When hovering 'Women': a full-width panel drops down (background white, box-shadow: 0 20px 40px rgba(0,0,0,0.1), padding:40px). Panel contains a 4-column CSS grid: Column 1 'Clothing' with links (Dresses, Tops, Jeans, Jackets, Skirts). Column 2 'Accessories' with links (Bags, Shoes, Jewelry, Scarves). Column 3 'By Occasion' with links (Work, Weekend, Party, Holiday). Column 4: a featured image panel with a product photo, 'New Arrivals' label in a badge, and a 'Shop Now' button. Animate the panel: opacity 0 to 1, translateY(-8px) to 0, over 0.2s. Close when mouse leaves both the nav link and the panel.

Example sites to study