How to Add a Squarespace Dropdown Arrow Using Custom CSS (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’re building a website on Squarespace, you may want your navigation menu to look more professional and user-friendly. One simple way to improve usability is by adding a Squarespace dropdown arrow to menu items that contain sub-pages. By default, many Squarespace templates don’t include a clear visual indicator, which can confuse visitors.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to add a clean, modern dropdown arrow to your navigation menu using a few lines of custom CSS. The process is beginner-friendly and works on all Squarespace 7.1 templates.

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✅ Why Add a Squarespace Dropdown Arrow?

Adding a dropdown arrow has several benefits:

• Improves navigation clarity

• Makes it obvious which menu items contain sub-pages

• Enhances website professionalism and structure

• Reduces user confusion and improves mobile UX

• Helps match modern design standards

With a proper Squarespace dropdown arrow, your menu immediately becomes more intuitive.

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✅ How to Add a Dropdown Arrow in Squarespace (CSS Method)

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Custom CSS Panel

1. Log in to Squarespace

2. Go to Design → Custom CSS

3. Paste one of the codes below

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★ Option 1: Simple Down Arrow (Recommended)

/* Add down arrow to Squarespace dropdown menu items */
.header-nav-item--folder > a::after {
    content: "▼"; 
    font-size: 10px;
    margin-left: 6px;
    display: inline-block;
    transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}

/* Rotate arrow when dropdown is open */
.header-nav-item--folder:hover > a::after,
.header-nav-item--folder:focus-within > a::after {
    transform: rotate(180deg);
}

✔ Adds a clean arrow
✔ Automatically attaches only to menu items with dropdowns
✔ Smooth animation included

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★ Option 2: Minimal CSS-Icon Arrow (More Professional)

/* Clean CSS arrow for Squarespace dropdowns */
.header-nav-item--folder > a::after {
    content: "";
    border: solid currentColor;
    border-width: 0 1.5px 1.5px 0;
    padding: 4px;
    margin-left: 6px;
    display: inline-block;
    transform: rotate(45deg);
    transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}

/* Rotate arrow when menu expands */
.header-nav-item--folder:hover > a::after,
.header-nav-item--folder:focus-within > a::after {
    transform: rotate(-135deg);
}

✔ More modern and minimal
✔ Automatically matches your menu text color
✔ No symbol needed — pure CSS

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📱 Does the Dropdown Arrow Work on Mobile?

Yes! Both methods work on mobile navigation in Squarespace 7.1.
You may adjust spacing or arrow size depending on your template, but the arrow renders correctly out of the box.

Need Help Adding or Customizing This?

Want it to apply sitewide or on all links instead of just bold ones? I offer quick customization and plugin help for Squarespace.

📞 Chat on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/+8801717691382
📅 Book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/website_consultation/meeting
🌐 Browse my Squarespace portfolio: https://www.squarespacewebexpert.com

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