How to Add a Custom Cursor to your Squarespace website

Squarespace

Jan 4

Learn how to add a custom cursor to your Squarespace website! In this tutorial, I'll show you step-by-step how to implement this popular design feature while maintaining great user experience.

Introduction
Installation Steps

How to Add a Custom cursor to your squarespace website

a.
Squarespace
b.
Video

Introduction

I'm always looking for ways to add unique touches to Squarespace sites without compromising user experience. One of the most requested features from our community is adding a custom cursor—that little pointer that follows your mouse movement around the screen. Today, I'll walk you through how to implement this creative detail while keeping your site professional and user-friendly.

Why Consider a Custom Cursor?

Before we dive into the technical details, let's address the elephant in the room: should you even use a custom cursor? While it can add a distinctive touch to your site's personality, it's essential to approach this feature thoughtfully. Custom cursors work best when they:

Enhance your brand's visual identity
Don't interfere with basic navigation
Maintain accessibility standards
Complement your overall design aesthetic

Technical Requirements First

To ensure your custom cursor looks crisp and professional, here are the key specifications:

Maximum size: 128 pixels (width or height)
Recommended size: 30-50 pixels
Preferred format: SVG for optimal clarity
Alternative format: PNG with transparency

Pro tip: If you're working with existing graphics, you can use our Pixresize tool to adjust your cursor image to the correct specifications. Simply upload your image, set the width to 50px (or your preferred size under 128px), and export as PNG with 100% quality to maintain transparency.

Step-by-Step Implementation

Step One: Upload Your Cursor Image

Create a temporary page in your not-linked section
Add a file upload via the hyperlink tool
Upload your cursor image
Save and grab the file path URL

Step Two: Add Custom CSS

Access your Custom CSS panel (quick tip: use the forward slash key and type "CSS")
Paste the code below, insert your file path URL between the quotation marks and save your changes

body:not(.sqs-edit-mode-active) {
  cursor:url(" "), auto;
}

Custom Cursor for Squarespace

Step 3: Custom Hover State (Optional)

Want a different cursor when hovering over links?

Upload a second cursor image
Add the hover-specific code snippet below
Insert the second file path URL.

body:not(.sqs-edit-mode-active) {
  a:hover, button:hover {
    cursor:url(""), pointer; 
  }
}

Important Considerations

While custom cursors can add flair to your site, here are some professional guidelines to keep in mind:

Accessibility First The default code maintains the standard pointer cursor for clickable elements, ensuring users can easily identify interactive elements. If you opt for a custom hover cursor, ensure it clearly indicates clickable areas.
Testing Period Note that custom graphics might not display during your trial period, but they'll appear once you've subscribed to a paid Squarespace plan.
User Experience As with any custom feature, consider your audience. The cursor should enhance, not hinder, the browsing experience. When in doubt, err on the side of subtlety.

Custom cursors can be a fantastic way to showcase your brand's creativity, but they should be implemented with intention. Remember, the goal is to enhance your site's personality while maintaining its professionalism and usability.

Rachell De Luna