How to Add Dropdown Menu Arrows in Squarespace (No CSS Required) - 2026 Update
If you’ve ever built a dropdown menu in Squarespace, you’ve probably run into this small but important detail:
“How do I add an arrow so visitors know it’s a dropdown?”
For years, the answer involved custom CSS. Not difficult, but definitely more technical than many site owners want to deal with. The good news is that Squarespace now includes a native dropdown arrow option, which means you can add those visual indicators without touching a single line of code.
Let’s walk through how it works.
Watch the video
Check out the YouTube video below. 👇🏼
🔽 Why Dropdown Arrows Matter
Dropdown arrows aren’t just decorative. They serve a usability purpose.
Without an arrow (or icon), visitors may assume your navigation item is just a regular link. That can lead to confusion, missed pages, and unnecessary friction in your site’s user experience.
Adding a simple arrow instantly communicates:
“This item expands.”
It’s a small visual cue that makes a big difference.
⚙️ Step-by-Step: Add Dropdown Arrows in Squarespace
Here’s how to enable dropdown arrows directly inside Squarespace:
1. Enter Edit Mode
Open your Squarespace website and click Edit.
2. Edit Your Site Header
Hover over your header and select Edit Site Header.
3. Open Navigation Settings
Hover over your navigation links and click the pencil icon.
4. Go to the Design Tab
Inside the navigation editor, switch to Design.
5. Choose a Dropdown Indicator
You’ll now see a dropdown option that allows you to select:
Arrows
Dots
Other built-in indicators
No CSS. No code injection. Just click and choose.
🎨 Customize the Arrow Style
Once you select an arrow, Squarespace gives you several styling controls:
Size – Make the icon larger or smaller
Thickness – Adjust line weight
Spacing – Control distance from the menu label
Roundness – Sharp vs. curved edges
This lets you match the arrow perfectly with your site’s typography and branding.
✨ Bonus: Hover Animation
Another nice touch from Squarespace:
When users hover over the dropdown item, the arrow animates and flips, visually reinforcing that the menu expands.
Again — all built in.
✅ Wrapping Up
Adding dropdown arrows in Squarespace is now incredibly easy. What used to require custom CSS can now be handled with a few clicks inside the header editor.
If you’re working on improving navigation clarity or polishing your site’s user experience, this is a quick win.
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Your Designer
I'm Bryan, a Squarespace web designer and founder of Abound Web Design. I have worked with all types of businesses and organizations from preschools to publishing companies to chiropractic clinics and everything in between. If you want to discuss a potential project, you can email me at bryan@aboundwebdesign or get in touch with me here. Alternatively, you can book in a free 15-minute consultation call here.
