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    How to make 3D Animated Box Loader using HTML and CSS

    Coding StellaBy No Comments11 Mins Read

    Let’s create a 3D Animated Box Loader using HTML and CSS to build a stunning, eye catching loading animation. This loader uses smooth 3D transforms, scaling effects, and perfectly timed keyframe animations to make multiple cubes move in sequence and create a dynamic visual experience – perfect for modern websites, portfolios, or web apps.

    We’ll use:

    • HTML to structure the loader container, boxes, and ground element
    • CSS to design the 3D cubes, apply perspective, gradients, and lighting effects. CSS Keyframe Animations to control movement, scaling, rotation, and timing for a seamless looping effect

    Each box is animated with slightly different delays so they appear one by one, move to the center, bounce, and disappear smoothly. The ground element adds depth with a shine effect, making the entire loader feel realistic and polished.

    HTML :

    This HTML creates the structure for the 3D animated loader. The main .loader div is the container for everything. Inside it, there are 8 .box elements from box0 to box7, and each box contains one inner <div> that becomes a 3D cube using CSS transforms and animations. The different box class names allow each cube to have separate animation timing so they move in sequence. The .ground div with its inner <div> creates the animated floor effect under the cubes. The CSS handles all the 3D styling and animation, while this HTML only defines the layout structure.

    <!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">

<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>3D Animated Box Loader | @coding.stella</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://public.codepenassets.com/css/reset-2.0.min.css">
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="./style.css">
</head>

<body>
  <div class="loader">
    <div class="box box0">
      <div></div>
    </div>
    <div class="box box1">
      <div></div>
    </div>
    <div class="box box2">
      <div></div>
    </div>
    <div class="box box3">
      <div></div>
    </div>
    <div class="box box4">
      <div></div>
    </div>
    <div class="box box5">
      <div></div>
    </div>
    <div class="box box6">
      <div></div>
    </div>
    <div class="box box7">
      <div></div>
    </div>
    <div class="ground">
      <div></div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <script src="./script.js"></script>

</body>
</html>

    CSS :

    This CSS creates a 3D animated loader using variables, transforms, and keyframes. It sets a dark background, centers everything using flexbox, and defines a .loader container with 3D perspective. Inside it, multiple .box elements act like small cubes that rotate in 3D using rotateX, rotateY, and rotateZ, then move and scale with different keyframe timings to create a smooth sequence effect. The ground element adds a floor with gradient shine animation, and pseudo elements like :before and :after help build cube faces and masking effects. Each box has slightly delayed animations so they appear one by one, move to the center, bounce, and disappear, making a continuous 3D loading animation.

    :root {
  --background: #121621;
}

html {
  box-sizing: border-box;
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}

*,
*:before,
*:after {
  box-sizing: inherit;
}

body {
  margin: 0;
  min-height: 100vh;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  background: var(--background);
}

.loader {
  --duration: 3s;
  --primary: rgba(39, 94, 254, 1);
  --primary-light: #2f71ff;
  --primary-rgba: rgba(39, 94, 254, 0);
  width: 200px;
  height: 320px;
  position: relative;
  transform-style: preserve-3d;
}

@media (max-width: 480px) {
  .loader {
    zoom: 0.44;
  }
}

.loader:before,
.loader:after {
  --r: 20.5deg;
  content: "";
  width: 320px;
  height: 140px;
  position: absolute;
  right: 32%;
  bottom: -11px;
  background: var(--background);
  transform: translateZ(200px) rotate(var(--r));
  -webkit-animation: mask var(--duration) linear forwards infinite;
  animation: mask var(--duration) linear forwards infinite;
}

.loader:after {
  --r: -20.5deg;
  right: auto;
  left: 32%;
}

.loader .ground {
  position: absolute;
  left: -50px;
  bottom: -120px;
  transform-style: preserve-3d;
  transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
}

.loader .ground div {
  transform: rotateX(90deg) rotateY(0deg) translate(-48px, -120px) translateZ(100px) scale(0);
  width: 200px;
  height: 200px;
  background: var(--primary);
  background: linear-gradient(45deg, var(--primary) 0%, var(--primary) 50%, var(--primary-light) 50%, var(--primary-light) 100%);
  transform-style: preserve-3d;
  -webkit-animation: ground var(--duration) linear forwards infinite;
  animation: ground var(--duration) linear forwards infinite;
}

.loader .ground div:before,
.loader .ground div:after {
  --rx: 90deg;
  --ry: 0deg;
  --x: 44px;
  --y: 162px;
  --z: -50px;
  content: "";
  width: 156px;
  height: 300px;
  opacity: 0;
  background: linear-gradient(var(--primary), var(--primary-rgba));
  position: absolute;
  transform: rotateX(var(--rx)) rotateY(var(--ry)) translate(var(--x), var(--y)) translateZ(var(--z));
  -webkit-animation: ground-shine var(--duration) linear forwards infinite;
  animation: ground-shine var(--duration) linear forwards infinite;
}

.loader .ground div:after {
  --rx: 90deg;
  --ry: 90deg;
  --x: 0;
  --y: 177px;
  --z: 150px;
}

.loader .box {
  --x: 0;
  --y: 0;
  position: absolute;
  -webkit-animation: var(--duration) linear forwards infinite;
  animation: var(--duration) linear forwards infinite;
  transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
}

.loader .box div {
  background-color: var(--primary);
  width: 48px;
  height: 48px;
  position: relative;
  transform-style: preserve-3d;
  -webkit-animation: var(--duration) ease forwards infinite;
  animation: var(--duration) ease forwards infinite;
  transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
}

.loader .box div:before,
.loader .box div:after {
  --rx: 90deg;
  --ry: 0deg;
  --z: 24px;
  --y: -24px;
  --x: 0;
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  background-color: inherit;
  width: inherit;
  height: inherit;
  transform: rotateX(var(--rx)) rotateY(var(--ry)) translate(var(--x), var(--y)) translateZ(var(--z));
  filter: brightness(var(--b, 1.2));
}

.loader .box div:after {
  --rx: 0deg;
  --ry: 90deg;
  --x: 24px;
  --y: 0;
  --b: 1.4;
}

.loader .box.box0 {
  --x: -220px;
  --y: -120px;
  left: 58px;
  top: 108px;
}

.loader .box.box1 {
  --x: -260px;
  --y: 120px;
  left: 25px;
  top: 120px;
}

.loader .box.box2 {
  --x: 120px;
  --y: -190px;
  left: 58px;
  top: 64px;
}

.loader .box.box3 {
  --x: 280px;
  --y: -40px;
  left: 91px;
  top: 120px;
}

.loader .box.box4 {
  --x: 60px;
  --y: 200px;
  left: 58px;
  top: 132px;
}

.loader .box.box5 {
  --x: -220px;
  --y: -120px;
  left: 25px;
  top: 76px;
}

.loader .box.box6 {
  --x: -260px;
  --y: 120px;
  left: 91px;
  top: 76px;
}

.loader .box.box7 {
  --x: -240px;
  --y: 200px;
  left: 58px;
  top: 87px;
}

.loader .box0 {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-move0;
  animation-name: box-move0;
}

.loader .box0 div {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-scale0;
  animation-name: box-scale0;
}

.loader .box1 {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-move1;
  animation-name: box-move1;
}

.loader .box1 div {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-scale1;
  animation-name: box-scale1;
}

.loader .box2 {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-move2;
  animation-name: box-move2;
}

.loader .box2 div {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-scale2;
  animation-name: box-scale2;
}

.loader .box3 {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-move3;
  animation-name: box-move3;
}

.loader .box3 div {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-scale3;
  animation-name: box-scale3;
}

.loader .box4 {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-move4;
  animation-name: box-move4;
}

.loader .box4 div {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-scale4;
  animation-name: box-scale4;
}

.loader .box5 {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-move5;
  animation-name: box-move5;
}

.loader .box5 div {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-scale5;
  animation-name: box-scale5;
}

.loader .box6 {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-move6;
  animation-name: box-move6;
}

.loader .box6 div {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-scale6;
  animation-name: box-scale6;
}

.loader .box7 {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-move7;
  animation-name: box-move7;
}

.loader .box7 div {
  -webkit-animation-name: box-scale7;
  animation-name: box-scale7;
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-move0 {
  12% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  25%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@keyframes box-move0 {
  12% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  25%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-scale0 {
  6% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  14%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@keyframes box-scale0 {
  6% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  14%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-move1 {
  16% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  29%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@keyframes box-move1 {
  16% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  29%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-scale1 {
  10% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  18%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@keyframes box-scale1 {
  10% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  18%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-move2 {
  20% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  33%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@keyframes box-move2 {
  20% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  33%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-scale2 {
  14% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  22%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@keyframes box-scale2 {
  14% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  22%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-move3 {
  24% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  37%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@keyframes box-move3 {
  24% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  37%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-scale3 {
  18% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  26%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@keyframes box-scale3 {
  18% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  26%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-move4 {
  28% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  41%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@keyframes box-move4 {
  28% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  41%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-scale4 {
  22% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  30%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@keyframes box-scale4 {
  22% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  30%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-move5 {
  32% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  45%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@keyframes box-move5 {
  32% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  45%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-scale5 {
  26% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  34%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@keyframes box-scale5 {
  26% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  34%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-move6 {
  36% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  49%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@keyframes box-move6 {
  36% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  49%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-scale6 {
  30% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  38%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@keyframes box-scale6 {
  30% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  38%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-move7 {
  40% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  53%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@keyframes box-move7 {
  40% {
    transform: translate(var(--x), var(--y));
  }

  53%,
  52% {
    transform: translate(0, 0);
  }

  80% {
    transform: translate(0, -32px);
  }

  90%,
  100% {
    transform: translate(0, 188px);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes box-scale7 {
  34% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  42%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@keyframes box-scale7 {
  34% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(0);
  }

  42%,
  100% {
    transform: rotateY(-47deg) rotateX(-15deg) rotateZ(15deg) scale(1);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes ground {

  0%,
  65% {
    transform: rotateX(90deg) rotateY(0deg) translate(-48px, -120px) translateZ(100px) scale(0);
  }

  75%,
  90% {
    transform: rotateX(90deg) rotateY(0deg) translate(-48px, -120px) translateZ(100px) scale(1);
  }

  100% {
    transform: rotateX(90deg) rotateY(0deg) translate(-48px, -120px) translateZ(100px) scale(0);
  }
}

@keyframes ground {

  0%,
  65% {
    transform: rotateX(90deg) rotateY(0deg) translate(-48px, -120px) translateZ(100px) scale(0);
  }

  75%,
  90% {
    transform: rotateX(90deg) rotateY(0deg) translate(-48px, -120px) translateZ(100px) scale(1);
  }

  100% {
    transform: rotateX(90deg) rotateY(0deg) translate(-48px, -120px) translateZ(100px) scale(0);
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes ground-shine {

  0%,
  70% {
    opacity: 0;
  }

  75%,
  87% {
    opacity: 0.2;
  }

  100% {
    opacity: 0;
  }
}

@keyframes ground-shine {

  0%,
  70% {
    opacity: 0;
  }

  75%,
  87% {
    opacity: 0.2;
  }

  100% {
    opacity: 0;
  }
}

@-webkit-keyframes mask {

  0%,
  65% {
    opacity: 0;
  }

  66%,
  100% {
    opacity: 1;
  }
}

@keyframes mask {

  0%,
  65% {
    opacity: 0;
  }

  66%,
  100% {
    opacity: 1;
  }
}

    Whether you’re just starting with CSS animations or already creating advanced UI effects, this project is a great way to level up your 3D transform and animation skills while building something visually impressive. Let’s bring your loader to life! 🚀

    If your project has problems, don’t worry. Just click to download the source code and face your coding challenges with excitement. Have fun coding!

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