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How to Create a Stunning Glitch Text Effect with Pure CSS

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'How to Create a Stunning Glitch Text Effect with Pure CSS'

Learn how to craft a mesmerizing, cyberpunk-inspired glitch text effect using only CSS. This comprehensive guide covers everything from basic principles to advanced, performance-optimized animations.

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How to Create a Stunning Glitch Text Effect with Pure CSS

Glitch art has exploded in popularity, evoking feelings of retro-futurism, cyberpunk dystopias, and digital disruption. From music videos to video games like Cyberpunk 2077, this aesthetic is everywhere. As a web developer, you can harness this trend to create eye-catching, dynamic interfaces that capture user attention. The best part? You don't need a single line of JavaScript to do it.

In this deep-dive tutorial, we'll walk you through creating a sophisticated, highly customizable glitch text effect using nothing but the power of CSS. We'll start with the foundational concepts and build our way up to an advanced, performance-conscious animation.

Ready to add some digital chaos to your text? Let's get started.

The Anatomy of a Glitch

Before we write any code, let's deconstruct what makes a glitch effect convincing. It's not just random movement; it's a combination of several distinct visual artifacts that, when layered together, create the illusion of a corrupted digital signal.

  1. The Original Text: This is our stable, baseline layer. It remains mostly visible, providing legibility.
  2. Duplicated Layers: The core of the effect involves creating one or more copies of the text. These copies are slightly offset from the original.
  3. Chromatic Aberration: These duplicated layers are often tinted with different colors, typically cyan and red. This mimics the color fringing seen on old CRT monitors or with malfunctioning displays, where the red, green, and blue channels become misaligned.
  4. Rapid Jitter & Displacement: The layers jump around erratically, both horizontally and vertically, for very brief moments.
  5. Slicing & Clipping: The most iconic part of the effect. Horizontal sections of the text appear to be sliced out and shifted, as if the screen's refresh cycle has been interrupted.

Our strategy will be to use CSS pseudo-elements (::before and ::after) to create the duplicated layers, and then bring them to life with @keyframes animations that manipulate their position, color, and clipping.

Step 1: The HTML and CSS Foundation

First things first, we need a basic HTML structure and some foundational CSS. The HTML is incredibly simple.

The HTML

We'll use a single element, like an <h1>, to hold our text. The key here is to use a data-* attribute to store the text content. This is a fantastic practice for two reasons:

  • Accessibility: The text remains as regular content inside the <h1> tag, so screen readers can parse it correctly.
  • Simplicity: We can easily pull this text into our CSS pseudo-elements without having to repeat it in the stylesheet.
<h1 class="glitch" data-text="GLITCH">GLITCH</h1>

That's it for the HTML! Now, let's set up the CSS stage.

The CSS Foundation

We'll start by styling the body for a dark theme (glitch effects pop against dark backgrounds) and centering our <h1>. We'll also choose a font. Monospaced or bold, blocky sans-serif fonts often work best for this effect.

/* A nice, dark background */
body {
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  height: 100vh;
  background: #131313;
  color: #fff;
  font-family: 'VCR OSD Mono', monospace; /* A great retro-style font */
}

/* The main container for our text */
.glitch {
  font-size: 8rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  position: relative; /* This is CRUCIAL for positioning the pseudo-elements */

  /* Disable user selection for a cleaner effect */
  user-select: none;
  -webkit-user-select: none;
  -moz-user-select: none;
}

With this code, you'll have your static text, perfectly centered and styled. The most important line here is position: relative;. Without it, we won't be able to position our duplicated layers correctly.

Step 2: Creating the Glitch Layers with Pseudo-elements

This is where the magic begins. We'll use the ::before and ::after pseudo-elements to create our two glitchy copies. They will live inside our .glitch element.

We'll use content: attr(data-text); to pull the text from our HTML data-text attribute. Then, we'll position them absolutely to sit directly on top of the original text.

.glitch::before,
.glitch::after {
  content: attr(data-text);
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  background: #131313; /* Same as the body background */
  overflow: hidden; /* Hides the text that goes beyond the element's box */
}

Right now, you won't see any change. The pseudo-elements are there, but they are black text on a black background, perfectly overlaying the original. Let's add the chromatic aberration by giving them distinct colors and a subtle offset.

.glitch::before {
  left: 2px;
  text-shadow: -2px 0 #ff00c1; /* Magenta/Pink */
  /* We'll animate this one */
}

.glitch::after {
  left: -2px;
  text-shadow: -2px 0 #00fff9, 2px 2px #ff00c1; /* Cyan and a bit of Magenta */
  /* And we'll animate this one too */
}

Now you should see a cool, static 3D/chromatic effect. The text-shadow adds a colored fringe, and the left property creates a slight separation. We're getting closer!

Step 3: Bringing the Glitch to Life with @keyframes

An effect isn't an effect until it moves. We'll create two separate animations using @keyframes: one for the chaotic slicing and another for the subtle jitter.

The Slicing Animation (clip-path)

The most convincing part of the glitch is the horizontal slicing. We can achieve this beautifully with the clip-path property. clip-path allows us to define a clipping region, making only a part of an element visible. We'll use inset() to create rectangular clips and animate them to create the illusion of sliced data.

Let's create an animation for the ::before element.

@keyframes glitch-anim-1 {
  0% {
    clip-path: inset(45% 0 50% 0);
  }
  5% {
    clip-path: inset(6% 0 49% 0);
  }
  10% {
    clip-path: inset(42% 0 55% 0);
  }
  15% {
    clip-path: inset(21% 0 5% 0);
  }
  20% {
    clip-path: inset(92% 0 1% 0);
  }
  25% {
    clip-path: inset(55% 0 40% 0);
  }
  30% {
    clip-path: inset(25% 0 5% 0);
  }
  35% {
    clip-path: inset(88% 0 1% 0);
  }
  40% {
    clip-path: inset(45% 0 45% 0);
  }
  45% {
    clip-path: inset(10% 0 80% 0);
  }
  50% {
    clip-path: inset(95% 0 2% 0);
  }
  55% {
    clip-path: inset(5% 0 90% 0);
  }
  60% {
    clip-path: inset(75% 0 5% 0);
  }
  65% {
    clip-path: inset(15% 0 80% 0);
  }
  70% {
    clip-path: inset(90% 0 5% 0);
  }
  75% {
    clip-path: inset(20% 0 70% 0);
  }
  80% {
    clip-path: inset(40% 0 30% 0);
  }
  85% {
    clip-path: inset(99% 0 1% 0);
  }
  90% {
    clip-path: inset(60% 0 35% 0);
  }
  95% {
    clip-path: inset(5% 0 85% 0);
  }
  100% {
    clip-path: inset(85% 0 5% 0);
  }
}

This looks complex, but the idea is simple. At each step of the animation, we're defining a new rectangular slice of the ::before element to show. The steps(1, end) timing function will make the transition between these steps instantaneous, creating the sharp, glitchy jump.

Now let's create a similar, but slightly different, animation for the ::after element to make the effect less uniform.

@keyframes glitch-anim-2 {
  0% {
    clip-path: inset(82% 0 5% 0);
  }
  5% {
    clip-path: inset(52% 0 42% 0);
  }
  10% {
    clip-path: inset(12% 0 6% 0);
  }
  15% {
    clip-path: inset(92% 0 2% 0);
  }
  20% {
    clip-path: inset(32% 0 52% 0);
  }
  25% {
    clip-path: inset(2% 0 82% 0);
  }
  30% {
    clip-path: inset(72% 0 12% 0);
  }
  35% {
    clip-path: inset(42% 0 52% 0);
  }
  40% {
    clip-path: inset(92% 0 2% 0);
  }
  45% {
    clip-path: inset(22% 0 72% 0);
  }
  50% {
    clip-path: inset(62% 0 32% 0);
  }
  55% {
    clip-path: inset(2% 0 92% 0);
  }
  60% {
    clip-path: inset(42% 0 12% 0);
  }
  65% {
    clip-path: inset(82% 0 2% 0);
  }
  70% {
    clip-path: inset(22% 0 72% 0);
  }
  75% {
    clip-path: inset(52% 0 32% 0);
  }
  80% {
    clip-path: inset(2% 0 92% 0);
  }
  85% {
    clip-path: inset(62% 0 8% 0);
  }
  90% {
    clip-path: inset(32% 0 62% 0);
  }
  95% {
    clip-path: inset(82% 0 2% 0);
  }
  100% {
    clip-path: inset(42% 0 52% 0);
  }
}

Now, let's apply these animations to our pseudo-elements.

.glitch::before {
  /* ... other styles */
  animation: glitch-anim-1 2.5s infinite linear alternate-reverse;
}

.glitch::after {
  /* ... other styles */
  animation: glitch-anim-2 1.5s infinite linear alternate-reverse;
}

We use different durations and alternate-reverse to ensure the two layers are constantly out of sync, maximizing the chaotic feeling.

Step 4: Putting It All Together & Adding a Jitter

Let's see the complete code so far and add one final touch: a subtle jitter animation on the main element itself. This will move all three layers (the original and the two pseudo-elements) together, unifying the effect.

The Jitter Animation

This animation will rapidly shift the element's position by a few pixels.

@keyframes glitch-jitter {
  0%, 100% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }
  20% {
    transform: translate(-2px, 2px);
  }
  40% {
    transform: translate(-2px, -2px);
  }
  60% {
    transform: translate(2px, 2px);
  }
  80% {
    transform: translate(2px, -2px);
  }
}

We apply this to the main .glitch element, but we'll make it trigger on hover for a more interactive feel.

The Complete Code

Here is the full HTML and CSS for our glitch effect.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <title>CSS Glitch Effect</title>
  <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=VCR+OSD+Mono&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">
</head>
<body>
  <h1 class="glitch" data-text="GLITCH">GLITCH</h1>
</body>
</html>

/* style.css */
body {
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  height: 100vh;
  margin: 0;
  background: #131313;
  color: #fff;
  font-family: 'VCR OSD Mono', monospace;
}

.glitch {
  font-size: 8rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  position: relative;
  user-select: none;
  -webkit-user-select: none;
  -moz-user-select: none;
  transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;
}

.glitch:hover {
  animation: glitch-jitter 0.2s infinite;
}

.glitch::before,
.glitch::after {
  content: attr(data-text);
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  background: #131313;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.glitch::before {
  left: 3px;
  text-shadow: -2px 0 #ff00c1;
  animation: glitch-anim-1 2.5s infinite linear alternate-reverse;
}

.glitch::after {
  left: -3px;
  text-shadow: -2px 0 #00fff9;
  animation: glitch-anim-2 1.5s infinite linear alternate-reverse;
}

/* KEYFRAMES */

@keyframes glitch-jitter {
  0%, 100% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }
  20% {
    transform: translate(-2px, 2px);
  }
  40% {
    transform: translate(-2px, -2px);
  }
  60% {
    transform: translate(2px, 2px);
  }
  80% {
    transform: translate(2px, -2px);
  }
}

@keyframes glitch-anim-1 {
  0% { clip-path: inset(45% 0 50% 0); }
  5% { clip-path: inset(6% 0 49% 0); }
  10% { clip-path: inset(42% 0 55% 0); }
  15% { clip-path: inset(21% 0 5% 0); }
  20% { clip-path: inset(92% 0 1% 0); }
  25% { clip-path: inset(55% 0 40% 0); }
  30% { clip-path: inset(25% 0 5% 0); }
  35% { clip-path: inset(88% 0 1% 0); }
  40% { clip-path: inset(45% 0 45% 0); }
  45% { clip-path: inset(10% 0 80% 0); }
  50% { clip-path: inset(95% 0 2% 0); }
  55% { clip-path: inset(5% 0 90% 0); }
  60% { clip-path: inset(75% 0 5% 0); }
  65% { clip-path: inset(15% 0 80% 0); }
  70% { clip-path: inset(90% 0 5% 0); }
  75% { clip-path: inset(20% 0 70% 0); }
  80% { clip-path: inset(40% 0 30% 0); }
  85% { clip-path: inset(99% 0 1% 0); }
  90% { clip-path: inset(60% 0 35% 0); }
  95% { clip-path: inset(5% 0 85% 0); }
  100% { clip-path: inset(85% 0 5% 0); }
}

@keyframes glitch-anim-2 {
  0% { clip-path: inset(82% 0 5% 0); }
  5% { clip-path: inset(52% 0 42% 0); }
  10% { clip-path: inset(12% 0 6% 0); }
  15% { clip-path: inset(92% 0 2% 0); }
  20% { clip-path: inset(32% 0 52% 0); }
  25% { clip-path: inset(2% 0 82% 0); }
  30% { clip-path: inset(72% 0 12% 0); }
  35% { clip-path: inset(42% 0 52% 0); }
  40% { clip-path: inset(92% 0 2% 0); }
  45% { clip-path: inset(22% 0 72% 0); }
  50% { clip-path: inset(62% 0 32% 0); }
  55% { clip-path: inset(2% 0 92% 0); }
  60% { clip-path: inset(42% 0 12% 0); }
  65% { clip-path: inset(82% 0 2% 0); }
  70% { clip-path: inset(22% 0 72% 0); }
  75% { clip-path: inset(52% 0 32% 0); }
  80% { clip-path: inset(2% 0 92% 0); }
  85% { clip-path: inset(62% 0 8% 0); }
  90% { clip-path: inset(32% 0 62% 0); }
  95% { clip-path: inset(82% 0 2% 0); }
  100% { clip-path: inset(42% 0 52% 0); }
}

Note on Performance: In our jitter animation, we used transform: translate(). This is a best practice. Animating transform and opacity is much more performant than animating properties like left, top, or margin, because transforms don't trigger browser layout recalculations (reflows). They are handled by the GPU, leading to smoother animations.

Step 5: Best Practices and Accessibility

A cool effect should never come at the expense of user experience or accessibility.

Using CSS Custom Properties for Easy Theming

Hard-coding colors and speeds makes tweaking your effect tedious. Let's refactor slightly to use CSS Custom Properties (variables). This makes customization a breeze.

.glitch {
  /* ... */
  --color-1: #ff00c1; /* Magenta */
  --color-2: #00fff9; /* Cyan */
  --bg-color: #131313;
  --speed-1: 2.5s;
  --speed-2: 1.5s;
}

.glitch::before {
  /* ... */
  text-shadow: -2px 0 var(--color-1);
  background: var(--bg-color);
  animation: glitch-anim-1 var(--speed-1) infinite linear alternate-reverse;
}

.glitch::after {
  /* ... */
  text-shadow: -2px 0 var(--color-2);
  background: var(--bg-color);
  animation: glitch-anim-2 var(--speed-2) infinite linear alternate-reverse;
}

Now, to change the entire color scheme or timing, you only need to edit the variables in the .glitch rule.

Respecting User Preferences with prefers-reduced-motion

Intense animations can be distracting or even cause physical discomfort (vestibular disorders) for some users. It's our responsibility as developers to provide a comfortable experience for everyone.

The prefers-reduced-motion media query is a standard way to check if a user has requested the system to minimize non-essential motion. We can use it to disable our animations gracefully.

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .glitch:hover,
  .glitch::before,
  .glitch::after {
    animation: none;
  }
}

With this simple block, users who prefer reduced motion will see the static, chromatic aberration version of the text, which is still stylish but without the distracting movement.

Conclusion

You've now successfully built a complex, visually stunning, and performance-conscious glitch text effect using only CSS. We've seen how to leverage ::before and ::after pseudo-elements to create layered effects, how to use clip-path and transform to build intricate @keyframes animations, and how to do it all responsibly with CSS variables and accessibility considerations.

The beauty of this technique is its flexibility. You can play with the keyframes, adjust the clip-path values, change the colors, and tweak the animation timings to create a glitch effect that is uniquely yours. Go ahead, experiment with the code, and see what kind of beautiful digital chaos you can create.

Happy coding!

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