speech bubble simple definition

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Speech Bubble

What is a speech bubble.

A speech bubble is a shape, like a cloud, balloon or bubble, which contains text representing a character's speech. It can also be called a speech balloon, a word balloon or a dialogue balloon.

What do you write inside a speech bubble?

Inside the bubble, the words that the character says are written.

'He said', 'she said', or 'they said' are not needed, as the tail points to who is speaking.

The text should include punctuation, but inverted commas are not necessary, as the bubble itself shows that the words are speech.

Speech bubble activity ideas

1. Character conversations

Choose two characters from a book you are reading, and encourage children to create a conversation between them, using speech bubbles to record what they say to each other. This could be used to further explore an event that has already happened in the story, or, you could suggest a situation that the characters might face in the future. This activity could be done in pairs, where each child takes on the role of a different character. For older children, it might be more challenging to take on the role of both characters (and perspectives) themselves.

2. Talk to a character!

Give children the opportunity to 'interact' with a character at a specific point in the text. Enourage them to ask questions or offer advice - what would they do in the character's situation, and why? You could give children speech bubbles on post-it notes, which can then be stuck in the appropriate place on the page.

3. Give words to a non-speaking character/animal

Sometimes, there are characters in a story who do not speak. Ask children to infer what they might say if they did speak. Again, children could use speech bubbles on post-it notes, and stick them on the page next to the non-speaking character.

For all of the above suggested activities, you might find this FREE Speech Bubble Template pack useful.

4. Use within cartoon strips

This can be a fun way to get your children to summarise or retell part, or all, of a story. This FREE Cartoon Strips Template is a perfect resource for this activity.

Speech bubbles can also be an effective way of developing children's social communication skills . They could be used to explore how children would, and should, respond in a variety of different social situations, e.g. if a person said this to you, what would you say back?

Our FREE Text Message Template could be used for this type of activity with KS2 children.

Other types of bubble...

Whisper bubble

Used to indicate that a character is talking quietly

Thought bubble

Used to convey what a character is thinking instead of saying

Scream bubble

Used to indicate that a character is shouting or screaming

FREE Speech Bubble Template

FREE Cartoon Strips Template

FREE Text Message Template

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Definition of 'speech bubble'

Speech bubble in british english.

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What are Speech Bubbles?

In comic books and comic strips, speech bubbles are a visual means of conveying words spoken characters. Since the 19th century, when comics first appeared as satirical drawings, they’ve been used in conjunction with drawn characters. These bubbles are easily recognized as purposefully drawn shapes with text next to an illustrated character.

Speech bubbles are contained within the panel and used to convey the dialogue of cartoon characters. They are not to be confused with captions, which are generally reserved for narration rather than dialogue and take the form of squares of text attached above or below the panel. They represent spoken words, whereas thought bubbles represent the thoughts of a character and are distinguished their shape. Thought bubbles are typically cloud-shaped or circular, with an increasingly smaller chain of circles directed at the character in thought, whereas speech bubbles have pointed tails directed at the character speaking.

Speech bubbles come in a variety of sizes and shapes to help the reader understand the tone of the dialogue. Text inside jagged-edged bubbles, for example, could indicate angry speech or shouting. Text inside simple circular or square-shaped balloons usually indicates normal conversation. The shape difference may vary depending on the artist and the comic’s cultural influence. Manga artists, for example, may use them in a different way than American artists.

To keep the illustrated dialogue flowing, the placement of speech bubbles is critical. The tail usually aids in determining who said the words they contain. If a character is off-panel and cannot be seen, the tail may be pointed off-panel or inward toward the bubble itself. The tails of broadcast speech bubbles indicating radio or television dialogue are usually jagged, like lightning bolts.

In comics, speech bubbles are essential for expressing spoken dialogue and anything else that needs to be heard. In order to communicate the correct meaning and avoid confusing the reader, comic strip artists must carefully choose and place them. Their proper use helps bring comic strips and graphic novels to life for their readers, from basic balloons to those expressing emotion, thought, or even action, such as the “Z” speech bubble indicating sleep.

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Text bubbles: a big guide

Although a text bubble seems to be a simple element, not everyone knows how to make it. Today we’ll cover what it is and how to do a text bubble from zero or using ready templates.

What a text bubble is and when you can use it

First, it is worth understanding what does it mean. A text bubble, also called a speech bubble, speech balloon, or dialogue balloon is a rounded or irregularly shaped outline filled with text and features a tail pointing toward the speaker.

The concept is well-known thanks to Superman, Batman, and Disney characters who spoke through speech bubbles. In comics, they express the words, thoughts, or emotions of a given character. However, text bubbles have gone far beyond the pages of comic books.

It is widely used in presentations. Want to make your report less boring? Add a text bubble as a design element to your slide, creatively illustrate your words, highlight the main idea, or frame an inspiring quote with it. You can also use them to create memes or cues in visual materials.

In formal documents, text bubbles are often called “callouts” as they are designed to attract the reader’s attention to a specific point or give instructions.

How to create text bubble using ready png

Creating text bubbles for any purpose is not very difficult today. The first and most obvious way is to find a ready speech bubble template in png format on the Internet. For example, download it from Google or find suitable ones on specialized stocks. Many stocks offer free templates for any purpose and to any taste. Then you can add a text bubble to a photo in any image editor.

If you want to use a ready-made speech bubble, make sure it does not violate copyright law.

How to create text bubble online

The easiest and fastest way to create a text bubble is an online service (for example, Phrase it or FlexClip ). It does not require any professional skills. All you need is to follow these steps:

Choose a background picture (You can add a speech bubble to any stock picture or upload a photo from your device);
Choose a bubble form;
Place it on the picture;
Add and edit the text;
Download the picture on your devices or send it by email.

How to create speech bubble in Word , Excel, and PowerPoint files

The previous methods describe how to add a text bubble to a photo. However, you may need to add it to a text document, spreadsheet, or presentation to make a note, pay attention to a specific statement or give an example. Another reason you might want to know how to add a text bubble is when you already have an illustration inserted into your document, but you want to enhance it. In this case, creating a new image using online services will take more time than doing it directly in the editors.

Let’s see how to make a speech bubble in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint formats with ONLYOFFICE editors.

Using ready png image . If you have a ready-made png image to add to your document, go to Insert —> Image —> Image from File and choose the picture from your device.

Using shapes in editors. It is also possible to create a text bubble from scratch in document, spreadsheet, or presentation editors using shapes. The task is much easier than it may seem.

The shape feature has different shapes of text bubbles: rectangular selection can be used for quotes, oval callouts often serve as speech balloons, and cloud – for thoughts.

Go to Insert —> Shape —> Callouts and choose the necessary one.

Draw a speech bubble shape on the page. Then, modify its size, make a tail longer or shorter, or change its direction by moving the yellow point. Ideally, the tail should be pointed to the mouth or head of the speaker, if there is an illustration, or to the sentence or part of the text whose brief thought a text bubble expresses.

If you have already set the size and added text to a shape and then decided to choose another shape, there’s no need to delete the shape and start over. Use Change Autoshape option on the right-side toolbar to change the shape but keep the size and text.

How to add text and change font

To add text to a speech bubble, you just need to double-click it and enter the text. To change the font, you can use the usual fonts or apply text art on the right-side toolbar.

There’s a handy feature here. Instead of manually changing the size of the text bubble so that all the text is visible, you can set the automatic adjustment.

Click the shape, go to Advanced Settings , and choose to Resize shape to fit text . That way, after you enter the text, the bubble will automatically resize.

How to change background color or make it transparent

Speaking about text bubbles, we shouldn’t forget the background color, as it also matters. The bubble color helps to convey emotions or feelings. For example, red implies the speaker’s anger and rage.

You can easily change the default background of the shape. Click it and choose another color on the right-side toolbar. It is possible to choose a pattern for the background or make a text bubble transparent or gradient. Just select the desired option from the drop-down list under Fill on the right-side toolbar.

That is how to create a text bubble in different ways. As you noticed, it can be easily done even in document editors, using simple shapes and your imagination. Try it now in ONLYOFFICE Editors:

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speech bubble noun

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What does the noun speech bubble mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun speech bubble . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

How common is the noun speech bubble ?

Where does the noun speech bubble come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun speech bubble is in the 1960s.

OED's earliest evidence for speech bubble is from 1966, in Art International .

speech bubble is formed within English, by compounding.

Etymons: speech n. 1 , bubble n. A.5

Nearby entries

speculous, adj. c1604
speculum, n. 1598–
sped, adj. 1891–
speech, n.¹ Old English–
speech, n.² 1875–
speech, v. 1654–
speech act, n. 1896–
speech act theory, n. 1969–
speech act verb, n. 1962–
speech area, n. 1885–
speech bubble, n. 1966–
speech-centre | speech-center, n. 1881–
speech chain, n. 1950–
speech clinic, n. 1963–
speech code, n. 1973–
speech coil, n. 1928–
speech-community, n. 1894–
speech-craft, n. 1573–
speech-crier, n. 1856–
speech-day, n. 1847–
speeched, adj. 1567–

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Meaning & use

Entry history for speech bubble, n..

Originally published as part of the entry for speech, n.¹

speech bubble, n. was first published in June 2018.

oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:

further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
new senses, phrases, and quotations.

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43 CSS Speech Bubble Design Examples

Imagine landing on a webpage and being greeted by a plain chunk of text—boring, right? Now, picture a stylish CSS speech bubble that seems to pop off the screen, guiding you through a conversation or highlighting key information. That’s web design with personality!

In the digital landscape, interactive elements like speech bubbles can transform a user interface from mundane to memorable.

Crafting these CSS tooltips or chat boxes not only enriches the user experience but showcases a savvy blend of aesthetics and function in web design.

By the end of this read, you’ll be equipped with the know-how to implement your very own CSS speech bubble —those snazzy, eye-catching pieces of UI that make users take notice.

Diving into everything from pure CSS talk bubbles to responsive designs adaptable to various devices, you’ll become the maestro of dynamic, on-screen conversations.

Expect to explore HTML speech bubble integration, CSS3 animations , and even scalable shapes that make responsiveness a breeze. Strap in; your UI is about to get a whole lot livelier.

CSS Speech Bubble Examples To Check Out

Pure css speech bubble by chonnychu.

See the Pen pure css speech bubble by ChonnyChu ( @chonny ) on CodePen .

Alternating Speech Bubbles by Kevin Østerkilde

See the Pen Alternating speech bubbles by Kevin Østerkilde ( @Kosai106 ) on CodePen .

This ain’t your typical speech bubble. Kevin spun it around, giving it a dash of mystery. Seriously, you gotta check it out.

Speech Bubble by skoupidia12000

See the Pen speech bubble by Panos ( @skoupidia12000 ) on CodePen .

Mad props to skoupidia12000. They whipped up this snazzy script and turned it into a bubble of brilliance.

Clean CSS Speech Bubble by projectxmatt

See the Pen Clean CSS Speech Bubble. by projectxmatt ( @projectxmatt ) on CodePen .

Yo, shout out to projectxmatt. He served up this sleek CSS speech bubble, whipped up using just HTML and CSS.

Speech Bubble Caret by grayghostvisuals

See the Pen Speech Bubble Caret by GRAY GHOST ( @grayghostvisuals ) on CodePen .

Got an online store? Need a sleek way for peeps to drop comments? This pen’s got you. That dark blue? Pops against the light blue speech bubble.

Pure CSS Speech Bubble with a Shadow by Ron

See the Pen Pure CSS Speech Bubble with a Shadow by Ron ( @keith0305 ) on CodePen .

Ron’s on the scene with this one. It’s pure, it’s CSS, and it’s rocking a subtle shadow. All done with HTML and CSS.

Speech Bubble Testimonial by Symbolic

See the Pen Speech bubble testimonial by Symbolic ( @symbolicx ) on CodePen .

Online sellers, where you at? Symbolic’s got this bubble that’s just perfect for showcasing customer love.

Animated Speech Bubble (Bouncy) by KhaledAhmedYounes

See the Pen Animated Speech Bubble (Bouncy) by Khaled Ahmed Younes ( @KhaledAhmedYounes ) on CodePen .

KhaledAhmedYounes has this bubble bouncing around using some jQuery and CSS magic. It’s alive!

Speech Bubble Outline by Florian Geierstanger

See the Pen CSS Speech Bubble Outline (svg data uri) by Florian Geierstanger ( @fgeierst ) on CodePen .

Florian’s got the game on lock with this outlined gem. Sleek, stylish and popping with just HTML and CSS.

Animated Speech Bubble Nav

See the Pen Animated Speech Bubble Nav by schadeck ( @schadeck ) on CodePen .

Online merchants, want something quirky? This speech bubble animation is all the rage right now.

Speech Bubble Wow by bchiang7

See the Pen Speech Bubble wow by Brittany Chiang ( @bchiang7 ) on CodePen .

bchiang7 jumped in and said “Wow!” with this jaw-dropping script.

Circular Speech Bubbles

See the Pen circular speech bubbles by rajeshdn ( @RajRajeshDn ) on CodePen .

RajRajeshDn’s circular masterpieces? A game changer. Boost sales, delight customers.

Speech Bubbles 3 by cool_lazyboy

See the Pen speech bubbles 3 by rajeshdn ( @RajRajeshDn ) on CodePen .

cool_lazyboy’s in the house! This script? Pure gold.

Speech Bubble Slider by Marc

See the Pen Speech Bubble Slider by Marc ( @mburgess0899 ) on CodePen .

Slide into Marc’s world with this slider speech bubble. A work of art for online shops.

Shakespearean Insult Generator by Kris Bocz

See the Pen Shakespearean Insult Generator – CodePen challenge by Kris Bocz ( @kbocz ) on CodePen .

A bit off-topic but, Kris Bocz went all Shakespeare on us with this one. Respect!

Flat Responsive Speech Bubbles by Faunk

See the Pen Flat Responsive Speech Bubbles by Fabian Fink ( @Faunk ) on CodePen .

Faunk’s doing things right. Simple, yet oh-so effective speech bubbles for client testimonials.

Responsive Speech Bubble by Peros

See the Pen responsive speech bubble by peros ( @perossing ) on CodePen .

Peros’ creation? It’s easy on the eyes. Super useful, super stylish speech bubbles.

Chat Bubbles by Dave Alger

See the Pen chat bubbles by Dave Alger ( @run-time ) on CodePen .

Chat it up with Dave’s creation. Chat bubbles made simple with HTML and CSS.

CSS Speech Bubble by Rm.satrya

See the Pen CSS Speech Bubble by Ga Satrya 🇮🇩 ( @satrya ) on CodePen .

Need something snappy? Rm.satrya’s got the answer. This CSS speech bubble? Minimal, yet so effective. The color play? Spot on!

Pure CSS Speech And Thought Bubbles by Joe Hastings

See the Pen Pure CSS speech and thought bubbles by Joe Hastings ( @JoeHastings ) on CodePen .

Alright, so, Joe nailed it with this one. A speech bubble that’s just straight up different from the rest. Fresh, neat and super user-friendly.

Speech Bubble W/ Drop Shadow by Syahrasi

See the Pen CSS speech bubble w/ dropshadow by Syahrasi ( @syahrasi ) on CodePen .

Whoa! A speech bubble with some sweet shadow action going on? Yep, that’s right. Stylin’ with just some good ol’ HTML and CSS.

Rik Schennink’s Speech Bubble

See the Pen Speech bubble by Rik Schennink ( @rikschennink ) on CodePen .

Picture this: A background that’s smooth with shades of grey and white. And then, BAM! That super lit white box in the middle. Super eye-catching and definitely does wonders for any conversation.

Skew’d Bubble Dink by Jase

See the Pen Skew’d Bubble Dink (CSS) by Jase ( @jasesmith ) on CodePen .

So Jase went all out and decided, “Why stay inside the box?” This design? Completely breaks it. It’s got that edgy skew thing going on. Funky, right?

SVG Speech Bubble by Timothy Miller

See the Pen SVG speech bubble by Timothy Miller ( @webinspect ) on CodePen .

Timothy dropped this bomb design. Straight up masterpiece.

Comic Book Speech Bubbles with Dudley Storey

See the Pen Comic Book Speech Bubbles with SVG by Dudley Storey ( @dudleystorey ) on CodePen .

For real, if you’re into popping designs, Dudley’s got you covered. It’s like a trip straight into a comic book. Super nostalgic.

Hello, World by kirsten allen

See the Pen Hello, World by kirsten allen ( @kirstenallen ) on CodePen .

kirsten brought this to the table. It’s sleek. It’s simple. It just works.

Black Lives Matter Dialog Boxes by Rio Jos

See the Pen Black Lives Matter Dialog Boxes by Rio Jos ( @riojosdev ) on CodePen .

Rio came through with a design that’s more than just a style. It’s a statement. Crafted beautifully with HTML and CSS.

CSS Stacked Chat Bubbles by J.M. CIery

See the Pen CSS stacked chat bubbles (Messenger style) by J.M. CIery ( @jmpp ) on CodePen .

Okay, here’s a thing by J.M. – Stacked chat bubbles that are so on point, they remind you of those messenger chats. Love it!

Dustin Dowell’s Pure CSS iOS Chat Bubbles Sass Mixin

See the Pen Pure CSS iOS Chat Bubbles Sass Mixin by Dustin Dowell ( @dustindowell ) on CodePen .

Dustin decided to sprinkle some of his magic on the iOS style. And guess what? It’s all CSS. Mind = blown.

Ana Tudor’s Speech Bubble

See the Pen Speech bubble by Ana Tudor ( @thebabydino ) on CodePen .

Ana’s creation? Off the charts! It’s got a dark backdrop, a popping square bubble, and the word “Hello” packed right in. It’s like 3D but better.

Pure CSS WhatsApp Desktop Speech Bubble by Benni

See the Pen Pure CSS WhatsApp Desktop Speech Bubble by Benni ( @8eni ) on CodePen .

And lastly, Benni served us with a speech bubble that screams WhatsApp Desktop vibes. And guess what? No extra stuff, just CSS.

CSS Chat Bubbles by Andrew

See the Pen CSS Chat Bubbles by Andrew ( @andrewerrico ) on CodePen .

Okay, you know those super engaging full-page chat convos? Andrew’s got you. This theme? Perfect to show off those back-and-forths. Whether you’re building a chat app or adding some chat vibes to your site, this one’s a keeper.

Sassy Right Triangles? Katherine G Shaw’s Speech Bubble Blockquote

See the Pen Speech Bubble Blockquote with Sassy Right Triangles by Katherine G Shaw ( @KatherineGShaw ) on CodePen .

Katherine’s come up with something slick. It’s not just a project, it’s the project.

Mrbnsn’s Clip-Path Magic: Speech Bubble W/ Hover Effects

See the Pen Clip-path speech bubble w/ hover effects by Michael Robinson ( @mrbnsn ) on CodePen .

If you want your online shop visitors to stick around, mrbnsn’s got the trick. Simplicity + a splash of hover effects? Sold!

Just the Speech Bubble by Fivera

See the Pen Speech bubble by Fivera ( @fivera ) on CodePen .

Clean. Simple. Done right with HTML and CSS. It’s not just any bubble; it’s Fivera’s vision.

Jamesbarnett’s Take on CSS Speech Bubble

See the Pen CSS speech bubble by James Barnett ( @jamesbarnett ) on CodePen .

James dropped this super cool script. No biggie, just some stellar speech bubble action.

Convo Boxes Galore with Carles Codony

See the Pen speech bubbles by Carles Codony ( @bitblitter ) on CodePen .

Talk about leveling up stores with speech bubbles! Carles’ technique is killer. Grey boxes, a pop of green and red, and a design that feels like a list but looks a hundred times cooler.

Depthdev’s Callouts & Speech Bubbles

See the Pen CSS Callouts/Speech Bubbles by Adam ( @depthdev ) on CodePen .

Depthdev’s doing things differently. Four directions, one element, all CSS. It’s kind of the Swiss Army knife of speech bubbles.

Chat Bubbles on an iPhone by Stephen Zuniga

See the Pen Chat bubbles in iPhone by Stephen Zuniga ( @stezu ) on CodePen .

If you’re after that iPhone look but with a speech bubble twist, Stephen’s got your back. For those perfect two-party chats.

Grant’s Pure CSS Thought Bubbles

See the Pen Pure CSS Thought Bubbles by Grant ( @quadbaup ) on CodePen .

Thought bubbles? With just HTML and CSS? Yep, Grant went there and crushed it.

Apple iMessage Vibes by Matt Smith

See the Pen Apple iMessage in CSS by Matt Smith ( @AllThingsSmitty ) on CodePen .

Imagine the sleekness of Apple’s iMessage, but made by Matt. Done with HTML and CSS. Super chic.

Patrick Kleckner’s 8-Bit Balloon

See the Pen 8-Bit by Patrick Kleckner ( @pkleckner ) on CodePen .

Patrick’s hitting us with some nostalgic vibes. An 8-bit speech balloon? Count us in.

Argyleink’s Animated Comic Director Splash

See the Pen Comic Director Splash Animation by Adam Argyle ( @argyleink ) on CodePen .

It’s comic. It’s splashy. It’s animated. Argyleink’s mixing things up with HTML and CSS for this super fun piece.

Wanna jazz up your site or app? Dive into these CSS speech bubbles. Different vibes for different tribes!

FAQ On CSS Speech Bubble

How do i create a css speech bubble.

Alright, let’s get this show on the road. Crafting that nifty CSS speech bubble is all about the fine art of styling. You’re gonna play with CSS properties—think borders, pseudo-elements like ::after and ::before for that slick tail, and position to place it just right.

Use border-radius for rounded corners to soften the edges, and remember to add a pinch of box-shadow for depth.

Can I make speech bubbles responsive?

Absolutely. Welcome to the era of responsive design . Make sure your bubbles are flexible by using relative units like percentages or ems for width, and max-width for scaling smarts.

Media queries are your best pals here; they’ll help you adjust the bubble size based on the device’s screen.

What’s the simplest method for adding arrows to speech bubbles?

Keep it simple, folks. Use the CSS pseudo-element ::after to create a small triangle that acts as the arrow. Position it snugly against your bubble with position: absolute and let border-width and border-color do the heavy lifting.

It’s like origami with code—folding edges to point the way.

Are CSS speech bubbles accessible for screen readers?

Now, we’re speaking the right language—accessibility matters. While the visuals are cool, ensure screen readers understand by using proper HTML structure.

Put your speech bubble text within an element that conveys its importance, like an aria-live region for dynamic content. It’s a blend of form and function.

How do animations enhance CSS speech bubbles?

Here’s where it gets vivid. CSS animations bring that pop to your bubbles, giving them life. Whether it’s fading in, bouncing, or sliding—it’s about grabbing attention smoothly.

Just a couple of keyframes for entrance or attention, and you’ve got movement that’s both eye-catching and professional.

Is it possible to have multi-line CSS speech bubbles?

Why stop at one when you can have more, right? Dynamic speech bubbles handle that chat-like look with ease.

Use display: inline-block and white-space: pre-wrap to respect line breaks and let your bubble grow with each new line, keeping those conversations flowing and natural.

How can CSS pseudo-elements be used in speech bubbles?

Think of pseudo-elements as your special toolkit. ::before and ::after make for crafty craftsmen in creating those extra details like tails or decorative marks, without additional HTML .

With CSS, they position and style seamlessly, adding layers to your speech bubble masterpiece.

Do I need images to create speech bubbles in CSS?

Wave goodbye to image files! Pure CSS speech bubbles are totally doable and definitely recommended. Borders, shadows, and the magical pseudo-elements handle all the visuals.

It’s a performance-friendly approach—faster load times, and better scalability. A win-win scenario for today’s sleek web.

Can CSS speech bubbles include interactive elements?

Certainly! It’s the digital age; static is so last season. Make those interactive web components play nice within your speech bubbles. Think buttons, forms, or even links. With a dab of JavaScript, trigger them to appear on click or hover—interactivity is king.

What’s the best practice for positioning CSS speech bubbles?

Positioning can be tricky, but it’s all about context. Relative and absolute combos work wonders.

Nest your bubble inside a positioned container (hello, position: relative ) and then, give yourself the freedom to move that bubble to your heart’s content with position: absolute . Keep it contained, yet free-floating.

And that’s a wrap on the CSS speech bubble journey. You’ve crossed the bridge from simple text blocks to engaging conversational UI pieces. Throwing in some CSS3 sparkle has hopefully felt like mixing just the right ingredients for a gourmet visual dish.

Here’s the rundown:

Crafted bubbles with tailor-made CSS tooltips ? Check.
Navigated the responsiveness rapids using media queries? Done.
Aimed for the stars with accessible web design ? Absolutely.

You’ve come a long way. Those bubbles are now less of a mystery and more of a tool in your belt, ready to be whipped out when your web page starts feeling like a silent movie that’s dying for dialogue. Whether it’s the party pop of an animation or the slick stealth of a tooltip, user conversations on your sites just got a whole lot snazzier.

Remember, it’s all about breathing life into pages. With these tips, go on, make the web not just informative but also undeniably interactive.

If you liked this article about CSS speech bubbles, you should check out this article about CSS range sliders .

There are also similar articles discussing javascript text animation , CSS dashboard , product card design , and CSS pagination .

And let’s not forget about articles on CSS scroll effects , CSS shadow effects , CSS lists , and CSS search boxes .

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Bogdan Sandu

I've been passionately working with WordPress since 2008 both as a publisher and as a theme developer. I know, the grey hairs on my head say that's a long time ago.

Css scroll effects: 40 creative examples to make your own, 41 css border animation examples to use, adding depth with css shadow effects: 40 examples, 37 css flip cards you need to check out, other stories, 18 bootstrap tooltips you need to check out, 39 creative css masonry layouts.

3 Steps Simple Responsive CSS Speech Bubbles

Welcome to a step-by-step tutorial on how to create simple responsive CSS speech bubbles. Once upon a time in the Stone Age of the Internet, we created speech bubbles by putting several pieces of background images together… Like it’s some sort of a jigsaw puzzle. But today, it is totally possible to create a speech bubble using pure CSS only – Read on for the example!

Download & notes.

Here is the download link to the example code, so you don’t have to copy-paste everything.

EXAMPLE CODE DOWNLOAD

Click here to download | Example on CodePen

The example code is released under the MIT license, so feel free to build on top of it or use it in your own project.

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RESPONSIVE SPEECH BUBBLE

All right, let us get into the steps of creating a speech bubble using pure HTML and CSS.

TUTORIAL VIDEO

STEP 1) SIMPLE SPEECH BOX

Aye, all we need to create a speech bubble is just a normal <div> . The CSS shouldn’t be any trouble either. We are just creating a “normal rectangle box” by setting the background color, padding, font size, font color, etc…

STEP 2) ADD SPEECH BUBBLE “CALLOUT”

STEP 3) POSITION THE “CALLOUT”

That’s all for the CSS speech bubble, here are some extras that may be useful.

THE “MAGIC TRIANGLE”

As you can see, the borders around HTML elements are “cut” at 45 degrees.
So very simply – We set a solid color on the required side, and the rest will be transparent.

INFOGRAPHIC CHEATSHEET

LINKS & REFERENCES

Responsive Timeline – Code Boxx
Simple Show/Hide Animations – Code Boxx

Thank you for reading, and we have come to the end of this short tutorial. I hope that it has helped you to build a better project, and if you have anything to add to this project, please feel free to comment below. Good luck and happy coding!

1 thought on “3 Steps Simple Responsive CSS Speech Bubbles”

Great tutorial! Easy to follow and works great!

9+ Simple Speech Bubble in CSS

This code provides a simple way to create a simple speech bubble in CSS. It allows you to style speech bubbles with various shapes, including square, round, and triangular, at different locations on the screen. This code is helpful for adding visually appealing speech bubbles to your web content.

You can use this code in your website’s design to create eye-catching speech bubbles for comments, tooltips, or messages. Moreover, it’s easy to customize and can improve the overall design of your web pages.

How to Create Simple Speech Bubble in CSS

1. First, include the HTML structure for your speech bubbles. You can create multiple bubbles by duplicating the provided HTML code blocks. Each code block represents a separate speech bubble.

2. The CSS code in the provided snippet defines the appearance of your speech bubbles. You can customize the bubble’s shape, border, and position by adding or modifying CSS classes.

For example, adding the “.round” class will give your bubble rounded corners, while “.border” adds a border to it.

To make your speech bubbles unique, adjust the CSS properties in the ".talk-bubble" and ".talktext" classes. You can change the background color, text alignment, padding, and more. Experiment with different styles until you achieve the desired look.

Use classes like ".tri-right," ".left-top," ".right-in," and others to position your speech bubbles as needed. For example, ".tri-right.left-top" will place a right triangle on the left side at the top of the bubble.

That’s all! hopefully, you have successfully created a Simple Speech Bubble in CSS. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to comment below.

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