How to Make Your Navigation Bar Transparent in Squarespace
If you’re building a modern website on Squarespace, having a transparent navigation bar (nav bar) can give your site a sleek, professional look. The good news? It only takes a few clicks to set up.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make your Squarespace nav bar transparent, plus a quick bonus tip on how to make it change into a solid background color when you scroll.
Why Use a Transparent Navigation Bar in Squarespace?
A transparent header can:
Create a clean, modern design.
Allow your hero image or video banner to shine.
Make your site feel more open and spacious.
Keep your branding subtle until users scroll.
This is especially popular for photographers, creatives, and businesses that rely on strong visuals.
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Step 1: Open the Header Settings
Log into your Squarespace site editor.
Hover over the top of your site and click Edit Site Header.
In the header panel, click Edit Design.
Step 2: Change the Background to Transparent
Under Background Color, you’ll see options like Solid, Gradient, and Adaptive.
Select Adaptive.
That’s it, your navigation bar is now transparent!
(Pro tip: Avoid the gradient option, it often clashes with design and can reduce readability.)
Step 3: Add a Scroll Effect (Optional Bonus)
If you want your nav bar to start transparent but fill in with a background color as visitors scroll, here’s how:
Go back into your Site Header Design.
Scroll down to Effects.
Under Position, choose Basic.
Click Save.
Now, when a user scrolls, your navigation bar will transition from transparent to a solid background color. This ensures your logo, links, and buttons remain readable no matter where someone is on the page.
Final Thoughts
Making your Squarespace navigation bar transparent is one of the quickest ways to elevate your site design. In just a few clicks, you can create a modern look while still keeping your header functional and user-friendly.
