Can I create an arrow using background only?

Question

I am looking for a way to create an arrow using css backgrounds only.

In my case this is for a select dropdown, so cannot use pseudo elements which are not supported by select.

I am aware I could use canvas to achieve this if using backgrounds only is not possible - Use <canvas> as a CSS background

Answer 1

You could use linear-gradient s, if you want to use background .

 div { width: 40px; height: 18px; background: linear-gradient(45deg, black 25%, transparent 25%, transparent), linear-gradient(-45deg, black 25%, transparent 25%, transparent), linear-gradient(45deg, transparent 75%, black 75%), linear-gradient(-45deg, transparent 75%, black 75%); background-position: 20px 0; background-size: 40px 35px; } 

 <div></div> 

If you want something similar to greater than or less than sign, use svg .

 <!--'Greater than' sign--> <svg width="40" height="50" viewBox="0 0 42 52"> <path d="M0,0 l40,25 l-40,25" fill="none" stroke="black" /> </svg> <!--'Less than' sign--> <svg width="40" height="50" viewBox="0 0 42 52"> <path d="M40,0 l-40,25 l40,25" fill="none" stroke="black" /> </svg> <!--'Greater than' sign - Thick stroke--> <svg width="40" height="50" viewBox="0 0 42 53"> <path d="M0,0 l40,25 l-40,25" fill="none" stroke="black" stroke-width="3" /> </svg> <!--'Greater than' sign - Thick stroke--> <svg width="40" height="50" viewBox="-2 0 42 52"> <path d="M40,0 l-40,25 l40,25" fill="none" stroke="black" stroke-width="3" /> </svg> 

Also, take a look at: Using svg as a background-image .

Answer 2

You could also just use the ▼ character, or

<span class="caret"></span>

-- added on request

<select class="form-control">
  <option default disabled="disabled" >choose ▼</option>
  <option>1</option>
  <option>2</option>
  <option>3</option>
  <option>4</option>
</select>