Hero

Hero section patterns for landing pages and marketing sites. Centered text, split layouts, background images, forms, and video backgrounds.

Overview

Hero sections are the first thing visitors see on a landing page. These patterns use <layout-cover> for vertical centering and <layout-center> for horizontal alignment, creating responsive layouts without media queries.

Key features:

  • Vertical centering with layout-cover
  • Configurable minimum height via data-layout-min
  • Multiple layout variants (centered, split, full-width)
  • Background image and video support
  • Embedded form integration
  • Responsive without media queries

Centered Text

The simplest hero pattern: centered headline, lead text, and call-to-action buttons. Perfect for product launches and announcements.

 <section class="hero"> <layout-cover data-layout-min="70vh" data-layout-padding="xl"> <layout-center data-layout-max="normal"> <layout-stack data-layout-gap="l" class="hero-content"> <h1>Ship faster with less code</h1> <p class="lead"> Vanilla Breeze is a lightweight CSS framework built on modern standards. Semantic HTML, custom elements, and design tokens. No build step required. </p> <nav> <ul data-layout="cluster" data-layout-justify="center" data-layout-gap="m"> <li><a href="/vanilla-breeze/get-started/" class="button large">Get Started</a></li> <li><a href="/vanilla-breeze/docs/" class="button large secondary">Documentation</a></li> </ul> </nav> </layout-stack> </layout-center> </layout-cover> </section>

Split with Image

Text on one side, image on the other. Uses layout-sidebar for a flexible two-column layout that stacks on narrow viewports.

 <section class="hero"> <layout-cover data-layout-min="60vh" data-layout-padding="xl"> <layout-center data-layout-max="wide"> <layout-sidebar data-layout-gap="2xl" data-layout-sidebar-width="wide" data-layout-content-min="50"> <layout-stack data-layout-gap="l"> <layout-badge data-variant="success">Now Available</layout-badge> <h1>Build interfaces that scale</h1> <p> Start with semantic HTML and enhance with custom elements. Our layout primitives handle the complexity so you can focus on content. </p> <nav> <ul data-layout="cluster" data-layout-gap="m"> <li><a href="/vanilla-breeze/get-started/" class="button">Start Building</a></li> <li><a href="/vanilla-breeze/examples/" class="button ghost">View Examples</a></li> </ul> </nav> </layout-stack> <figure class="hero-image"> <img src="/vanilla-breeze/images/hero-illustration.png" alt="Application interface mockup" width="600" height="450" loading="eager" /> </figure> </layout-sidebar> </layout-center> </layout-cover> </section>

With Background Image

Full-width background image with a dark overlay for text readability. The overlay uses --color-overlay-strong from design tokens.

 <section class="hero hero-with-bg"> <layout-cover data-layout-min="80vh" data-layout-padding="xl"> <layout-center data-layout-max="normal"> <layout-stack data-layout-gap="l" class="hero-content"> <h1>Experience the difference</h1> <p class="lead"> Immerse yourself in a new way of building for the web. Modern standards, timeless simplicity. </p> <nav> <ul data-layout="cluster" data-layout-justify="center" data-layout-gap="m"> <li><a href="/vanilla-breeze/demo/" class="button large">Watch Demo</a></li> <li><a href="/vanilla-breeze/pricing/" class="button large ghost">View Pricing</a></li> </ul> </nav> </layout-stack> </layout-center> </layout-cover> </section>

Required CSS

Add these styles to support background images with overlay:

 .hero-with-bg { background-image: url('/images/hero-bg.jpg'); background-size: cover; background-position: center; position: relative; } .hero-with-bg::before { content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0; background: var(--color-overlay-strong); } .hero-with-bg > * { position: relative; color: var(--color-white); }

With Form

Hero with an embedded newsletter signup or registration form. Uses layout-sidebar to place content and form side by side.

 <section class="hero"> <layout-cover data-layout-min="60vh" data-layout-padding="xl"> <layout-center data-layout-max="wide"> <layout-sidebar data-layout-gap="2xl" data-layout-sidebar-width="wide" data-layout-content-min="50"> <layout-stack data-layout-gap="l"> <h1>Stay in the loop</h1> <p class="lead"> Get the latest updates on new features, best practices, and community highlights delivered to your inbox. </p> <ul data-layout="cluster" data-layout-gap="s" class="checkmark-list"> <li><icon-wc name="check" size="sm"></icon-wc> Weekly digest</li> <li><icon-wc name="check" size="sm"></icon-wc> No spam</li> <li><icon-wc name="check" size="sm"></icon-wc> Unsubscribe anytime</li> </ul> </layout-stack> <layout-card data-variant="outlined"> <form action="/vanilla-breeze/subscribe" method="POST" data-layout="stack" data-layout-gap="m"> <h2>Subscribe to our newsletter</h2> <form-field> <label for="name">Name</label> <input type="text" id="name" name="name" required autocomplete="name" placeholder="Your name" /> </form-field> <form-field> <label for="email">Email</label> <input type="email" id="email" name="email" required autocomplete="email" placeholder="you@example.com" /> </form-field> <button type="submit" class="full-width">Subscribe</button> <p class="text-sm text-muted"> By subscribing, you agree to our <a href="/vanilla-breeze/privacy/">Privacy Policy</a>. </p> </form> </layout-card> </layout-sidebar> </layout-center> </layout-cover> </section>

With Video

Hero with video background or an embedded video player. The video background version uses an overlay for text readability.

 <section class="hero hero-video-bg"> <video autoplay muted loop playsinline poster="/images/video-poster.jpg"> <source src="/vanilla-breeze/videos/hero-bg.mp4" type="video/mp4" /> </video> <layout-cover data-layout-min="80vh" data-layout-padding="xl"> <layout-center data-layout-max="normal"> <layout-stack data-layout-gap="l" class="hero-content"> <h1>See it in action</h1> <p class="lead"> Watch how teams are building faster with modern CSS. No frameworks, no complexity, just clean code. </p> <nav> <ul data-layout="cluster" data-layout-justify="center" data-layout-gap="m"> <li><a href="/vanilla-breeze/demo/" class="button large">Play Full Video</a></li> <li><a href="/vanilla-breeze/get-started/" class="button large ghost">Get Started</a></li> </ul> </nav> </layout-stack> </layout-center> </layout-cover> </section>

Required CSS

Add these styles for the video background effect:

 .hero-video-bg { position: relative; overflow: hidden; } .hero-video-bg video { position: absolute; inset: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; } .hero-video-bg::before { content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0; background: var(--color-overlay-strong); z-index: 1; } .hero-video-bg > *:not(video) { position: relative; z-index: 2; color: var(--color-white); }

Layout Configuration

Common data attributes for hero sections:
Element Attribute Values Description
layout-cover data-layout-min CSS length (e.g., 50vh, 400px) Minimum height of the hero section.
layout-cover data-layout-padding xs s m l xl 2xl Vertical padding inside the cover.
layout-center data-layout-max narrow normal wide prose Maximum content width.
layout-sidebar data-layout-sidebar-width narrow default wide Width of the sidebar column.
layout-cluster data-layout-justify start center end between Horizontal alignment of buttons.

Usage Notes

  • Height: Use vh units for viewport-relative heights. 70vh to 80vh works well for primary heroes.
  • Content width: Use normal for centered text to maintain comfortable line lengths.
  • Buttons: Use data-layout="cluster" with data-layout-justify="center" for centered layouts, or default alignment for split layouts.
  • Images: Use loading="eager" for hero images since they're above the fold.
  • Overlays: Use --color-overlay-strong for dark overlays that ensure text readability.
  • Videos: Always include poster attribute and use muted with autoplay for background videos.
  • Accessibility: Ensure sufficient color contrast with overlays and use semantic headings.

Related

Layout Cover

Cover layout element documentation

Layout Center

Center layout element documentation

Layout Sidebar

Sidebar layout element documentation

Call to Action

CTA section patterns