Styled Checkboxes Template

Replace inconsistent browser defaults with beautiful, custom-styled checkboxes.

This pure CSS technique visually hides the default checkbox but uses its :checked state to style a custom element, giving you full control over the look and feel while retaining all accessibility features.

Screenshot showing custom-designed square checkboxes, some with checkmarks inside.

Get Source Code → Preview →

About these Styled Checkboxes

Default browser checkboxes are notoriously difficult to style and look different across operating systems and browsers. This template provides a robust, modern solution to create a consistent, branded appearance.

The method is as follows:

The actual input type="checkbox" is visually hidden but remains functional for accessibility.
A label is used to contain both the input and a custom-styled span that will serve as our visible "box".
A CSS pseudo-element (::after) is used to create the checkmark, which is hidden by default.
When the hidden input is checked (input:checked), we use the adjacent sibling selector (+) to target the custom box (e.g., input:checked + .custom-box). We can then change its background color and make the checkmark pseudo-element visible.

This results in a beautiful, interactive checkbox that is still 100% accessible via keyboard and screen readers because the underlying native input is still being used.

Features

Fully Customizable: Easily change the size, color, border, and checkmark style with CSS.
Pure CSS Solution: No JavaScript is required for the functionality.
Accessible: Because it's built upon a native checkbox, all functionality (like clicking the label to toggle) and accessibility features are preserved.
Smooth Transitions: Includes subtle CSS transitions for a polished feel.

Dependencies

None. This template uses only pure HTML and CSS.

Code

Here's the full code for the styled checkboxes:

/* The container for each option */
.checkbox-option {
    display: block;
    position: relative;
    padding-left: 35px;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
    cursor: pointer;
    font-size: 1rem;
    -webkit-user-select: none;
    -moz-user-select: none;
    -ms-user-select: none;
    user-select: none;
}

/* Hide the browser's default checkbox */
.checkbox-option input {
    position: absolute;
    opacity: 0;
    cursor: pointer;
    height: 0;
    width: 0;
}

/* Create a custom checkbox */
.checkmark {
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    height: 22px;
    width: 22px;
    background-color: #eee;
    border: 1px solid #ccc;
    border-radius: 4px;
    transition: background-color 0.2s;
}

/* On mouse-over, add a grey background color */
.checkbox-option:hover .checkmark {
    background-color: #ccc;
}

/* When focused with keyboard, show a focus ring */
.checkbox-option input:focus ~ .checkmark {
    box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.5);
    border-color: #007bff;
}

/* When the checkbox is checked, add a blue background */
.checkbox-option input:checked ~ .checkmark {
    background-color: #007bff;
    border-color: #007bff;
}

/* Create the checkmark/indicator (hidden when not checked) */
.checkmark:after {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    display: none;
}

/* Show the checkmark when checked */
.checkbox-option input:checked ~ .checkmark:after {
    display: block;
}

/* Style the checkmark/indicator */
.checkbox-option .checkmark:after {
    left: 7px;
    top: 3px;
    width: 5px;
    height: 10px;
    border: solid white;
    border-width: 0 3px 3px 0;
    -webkit-transform: rotate(45deg);
    -ms-transform: rotate(45deg);
    transform: rotate(45deg);
}
</style>

<div class="checkbox-container">
    <h3>Choose Your Toppings:</h3>

<div class="checkbox-option">
      <input type="checkbox" id="topping-lettuce" checked="checked">
      <label for="topping-lettuce">Lettuce</label>
      <span class="checkmark"></span>
    </div>
    
    <div class="checkbox-option">
        <input type="checkbox" id="topping-tomato">
        <label for="topping-tomato">Tomato</label>
        <span class="checkmark"></span>
    </div>

<div class="checkbox-option">
        <input type="checkbox" id="topping-cheese">
        <label for="topping-cheese">Cheese</label>
        <span class="checkmark"></span>
    </div>
</div>

View Output