How to Create a Hamburger Menu in Java Netbeans
In this Java Tutorial we will see How To Create a modern hamburger menu navigation with smooth animations and custom icons In Java Using Netbeans.
What We'll Build?
- An animated hamburger menu that slides in from the left.
- Custom drawn icons for each menu item.
- Transitions and hover effects.
- A responsive overlay system.
What We Are Gonna Use In This Project:
- Java Programming Language.- NetBeans Editor.
Project Source Code:
/**
*
* @author 1BestCsharp
*/
public class HamburgerMenu extends JFrame {
// Menu state and animation properties
private boolean isMenuOpen = false; // Tracks if menu is currently open
private JPanel sideMenu; // The side navigation panel
private Timer animationTimer; // Controls the animation speed
private float currentWidth = 0; // Current width during animation
private float currentAlpha = 0; // Current transparency of overlay
// Constants for menu appearance and animation
private final int MENU_WIDTH = 280; // Width of the side menu
private final int ANIMATION_DURATION = 250; // Total animation time in milliseconds
private final int ANIMATION_STEPS = 30; // Number of steps in animation
// UI Components
private HamburgerIcon hamburgerIcon; // The hamburger/close button
private JPanel overlay; // Semi-transparent overlay behind menu
// Colors used throughout the UI
private final Color accentColor = new Color(75, 107, 251); // Highlight color
private final Color backgroundColor = new Color(245, 245, 250); // Main background
private final Color menuBackground = new Color(25, 25, 35); // Menu background
private final Color menuHoverColor = new Color(45, 45, 55); // Menu item hover color
private final Color menuActiveColor = new Color(55, 155, 65); // Menu item active color
public HamburgerMenu(){
// Set up the main window
setTitle("Hamburger Menu");
setSize(1000, 700);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
setLocationRelativeTo(null); // Center the window on screen
setBackground(backgroundColor);
// Create the main content area
JPanel mainContent = new JPanel();
mainContent.setLayout(new BorderLayout());
mainContent.setBackground(backgroundColor);
// Create header with hamburger button
setupHeader();
// Create semi-transparent overlay that appears behind the menu
setupOverlay();
// Create side menu with navigation options
setupSideMenu();
// Set up layered pane for menu animation
setupLayeredPane(mainContent);
// Set up animation timer that controls the menu slide effect
setupAnimationTimer();
}
/**
* Sets up the header section with title and hamburger icon
*/
private void setupHeader() {
hamburgerIcon = new HamburgerIcon();
// Create header panel with a subtle bottom border
JPanel headerPanel = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
headerPanel.setBackground(Color.WHITE);
headerPanel.setBorder(BorderFactory.createCompoundBorder(
BorderFactory.createMatteBorder(0, 0, 1, 0, new Color(230, 230, 235)),
BorderFactory.createEmptyBorder(15, 15, 15, 15)
));
// Add title to header
JLabel titleLabel = new JLabel("Dashboard");
titleLabel.setFont(new Font("Segoe UI", Font.BOLD, 20));
titleLabel.setForeground(new Color(40, 40, 45));
titleLabel.setBorder(BorderFactory.createEmptyBorder(0, 20, 0, 0));
// Add components to header
headerPanel.add(hamburgerIcon, BorderLayout.WEST);
headerPanel.add(titleLabel, BorderLayout.CENTER);
// Add header to main frame
add(headerPanel, BorderLayout.NORTH);
}
/**
* Sets up the semi-transparent overlay that appears when menu is open
*/
private void setupOverlay() {
// Create transparent panel that darkens when menu opens
overlay = new JPanel() {
@Override
protected void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
super.paintComponent(g);
Graphics2D g2d = (Graphics2D) g;
// Set transparency based on animation progress
g2d.setColor(new Color(0, 0, 0, (int)(currentAlpha * 120)));
g2d.fillRect(0, 0, getWidth(), getHeight());
}
};
overlay.setOpaque(false);
overlay.setBounds(0, 0, 2000, 1200);
// Close menu when clicking overlay
overlay.addMouseListener(new MouseAdapter() {
@Override
public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent e) {
toggleMenu();
}
});
overlay.setVisible(false);
}
/**
* Sets up the side navigation menu with menu items
*/
private void setupSideMenu() {
// Create the main menu panel
sideMenu = new JPanel();
sideMenu.setLayout(new BoxLayout(sideMenu, BoxLayout.Y_AXIS));
sideMenu.setBackground(menuBackground);
// Add brand/logo section at the top
JPanel brandPanel = new JPanel(new FlowLayout(FlowLayout.LEFT, 20, 25));
brandPanel.setBackground(menuBackground);
brandPanel.setMaximumSize(new Dimension(MENU_WIDTH, 80));
JLabel brandLabel = new JLabel("Modern UI");
brandLabel.setFont(new Font("Segoe UI", Font.BOLD, 24));
brandLabel.setForeground(Color.WHITE);
brandPanel.add(brandLabel);
sideMenu.add(brandPanel);
sideMenu.add(Box.createVerticalStrut(20)); // Add spacing
// Define menu item names
String[] menuItems = {
"Dashboard", "Profile", "Analytics", "Settings", "Help", "Logout"
};
// Create and add each menu item
for (int i = 0; i < menuItems.length; i++) {
JPanel menuItemPanel = createMenuItemPanel(menuItems[i], i);
sideMenu.add(menuItemPanel);
sideMenu.add(Box.createVerticalStrut(5)); // Add spacing between items
}
}
/**
* Sets up the layered pane that allows components to overlap
* This enables the menu to slide over the main content
*/
private void setupLayeredPane(JPanel mainContent) {
JLayeredPane layeredPane = new JLayeredPane();
layeredPane.setLayout(null);
// Position components
mainContent.setBounds(0, 0, 2000, 1200);
sideMenu.setBounds(-MENU_WIDTH, 0, MENU_WIDTH, 1200);
// Add components to layers (higher number = in front)
layeredPane.add(mainContent, JLayeredPane.DEFAULT_LAYER); // Bottom layer
layeredPane.add(overlay, JLayeredPane.PALETTE_LAYER); // Middle layer
layeredPane.add(sideMenu, JLayeredPane.MODAL_LAYER); // Top layer
add(layeredPane, BorderLayout.CENTER);
}
/**
* Sets up animation timer that controls the menu sliding effect
*/
private void setupAnimationTimer() {
animationTimer = new Timer(ANIMATION_DURATION / ANIMATION_STEPS, e -> {
if (isMenuOpen) {
// Opening animation - increase width and opacity
currentWidth = Math.min(currentWidth + MENU_WIDTH / ANIMATION_STEPS, MENU_WIDTH);
currentAlpha = Math.min(currentAlpha + 1.0f / ANIMATION_STEPS, 1.0f);
} else {
// Closing animation - decrease width and opacity
currentWidth = Math.max(currentWidth - MENU_WIDTH / ANIMATION_STEPS, 0);
currentAlpha = Math.max(currentAlpha - 1.0f / ANIMATION_STEPS, 0.0f);
}
// Update positions and visibility based on animation progress
sideMenu.setBounds((int) (-MENU_WIDTH + currentWidth), 0, MENU_WIDTH, 1200);
overlay.setVisible(currentAlpha > 0);
hamburgerIcon.setRotation(currentWidth / MENU_WIDTH * 180);
// Stop animation when complete
if ((isMenuOpen && currentWidth == MENU_WIDTH) || (!isMenuOpen && currentWidth == 0)) {
animationTimer.stop();
}
repaint();
});
}
/**
* Toggles the menu open or closed state and starts animation
*/
private void toggleMenu() {
isMenuOpen = !isMenuOpen; // Toggle state
animationTimer.start(); // Start animation
}
/**
* Creates a menu item panel with icon and text
*
* @param text The text label for the menu item
* @param iconType The type of icon to display (0-5)
* @return A panel containing the menu item
*/
private JPanel createMenuItemPanel(String text, int iconType) {
// Create main panel
JPanel panel = new JPanel();
panel.setLayout(new BorderLayout());
panel.setMaximumSize(new Dimension(MENU_WIDTH, 50));
panel.setBackground(menuBackground);
panel.setBorder(BorderFactory.createEmptyBorder(8, 20, 8, 20));
panel.setCursor(new Cursor(Cursor.HAND_CURSOR));
// Create left indicator panel (shows colored bar when active)
JPanel indicatorPanel = new JPanel();
indicatorPanel.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(4, 0));
indicatorPanel.setBackground(menuBackground);
// Create icon
IconPanel iconPanel = new IconPanel(iconType);
iconPanel.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(24, 24));
// Create text label
JLabel textLabel = new JLabel(text);
textLabel.setFont(new Font("Segoe UI", Font.PLAIN, 15));
textLabel.setForeground(Color.WHITE);
textLabel.setBorder(BorderFactory.createEmptyBorder(0, 15, 0, 0));
// Container to hold icon and text
JPanel contentPanel = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
contentPanel.setBackground(menuBackground);
contentPanel.setBorder(BorderFactory.createEmptyBorder(0, 0, 0, 0));
contentPanel.add(iconPanel, BorderLayout.WEST);
contentPanel.add(textLabel, BorderLayout.CENTER);
// Add components to main panel
panel.add(indicatorPanel, BorderLayout.WEST);
panel.add(contentPanel, BorderLayout.CENTER);
// Add interaction effects (hover, click)
addMenuItemInteraction(panel, contentPanel, indicatorPanel, text);
return panel;
}
/**
* Adds mouse interaction behavior to menu items
*/
private void addMenuItemInteraction(JPanel panel, JPanel contentPanel,
JPanel indicatorPanel, String text) {
panel.addMouseListener(new MouseAdapter() {
@Override
public void mouseEntered(MouseEvent e) {
// Hover effect - change background color
panel.setBackground(menuHoverColor);
contentPanel.setBackground(menuHoverColor);
indicatorPanel.setBackground(menuHoverColor);
// Show active indicator on hover
indicatorPanel.removeAll();
JPanel activeIndicator = new JPanel();
activeIndicator.setBackground(accentColor);
indicatorPanel.setLayout(new BorderLayout());
indicatorPanel.add(activeIndicator);
panel.revalidate();
panel.repaint();
}
@Override
public void mouseExited(MouseEvent e) {
// Reset to normal state
panel.setBackground(menuBackground);
contentPanel.setBackground(menuBackground);
indicatorPanel.setBackground(menuBackground);
// Remove active indicator
indicatorPanel.removeAll();
panel.revalidate();
panel.repaint();
}
@Override
public void mousePressed(MouseEvent e) {
// Click down effect
panel.setBackground(menuActiveColor);
contentPanel.setBackground(menuActiveColor);
indicatorPanel.setBackground(menuActiveColor);
}
@Override
public void mouseReleased(MouseEvent e) {
// Click up effect
panel.setBackground(menuHoverColor);
contentPanel.setBackground(menuHoverColor);
indicatorPanel.setBackground(menuHoverColor);
}
@Override
public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent e) {
// Handle menu item click
System.out.println("Menu item clicked: " + text);
}
});
}
/**
* IconPanel draws custom vector icons for menu items
*/
private class IconPanel extends JPanel {
private int iconType; // Type of icon to draw
public IconPanel(int iconType) {
this.iconType = iconType;
setPreferredSize(new Dimension(24, 24));
setOpaque(false);
}
@Override
protected void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
super.paintComponent(g);
Graphics2D g2d = (Graphics2D) g;
// Enable antialiasing for smoother drawing
g2d.setRenderingHint(RenderingHints.KEY_ANTIALIASING, RenderingHints.VALUE_ANTIALIAS_ON);
g2d.setColor(Color.WHITE);
int w = getWidth();
int h = getHeight();
// Draw different icon based on type
switch (iconType) {
case 0: // Dashboard
drawDashboardIcon(g2d, w, h);
break;
case 1: // Profile
drawProfileIcon(g2d, w, h);
break;
case 2: // Analytics
drawAnalyticsIcon(g2d, w, h);
break;
case 3: // Settings
drawSettingsIcon(g2d, w, h);
break;
case 4: // Help
drawHelpIcon(g2d, w, h);
break;
case 5: // Logout
drawLogoutIcon(g2d, w, h);
break;
}
}
/**
* Draws dashboard icon (four squares in a grid)
*/
private void drawDashboardIcon(Graphics2D g2d, int w, int h) {
int padding = 3;
int size = Math.min(w, h) - (2 * padding);
int x = (w - size) / 2;
int y = (h - size) / 2;
int gridSize = size / 2 - 1;
// Draw 4 squares to represent dashboard
g2d.fillRect(x, y, gridSize, gridSize);
g2d.fillRect(x + gridSize + 2, y, gridSize, gridSize);
g2d.fillRect(x, y + gridSize + 2, gridSize, gridSize);
g2d.fillRect(x + gridSize + 2, y + gridSize + 2, gridSize, gridSize);
}
/**
* Draws profile icon (person silhouette)
*/
private void drawProfileIcon(Graphics2D g2d, int w, int h) {
int padding = 3;
int size = Math.min(w, h) - (2 * padding);
int x = (w - size) / 2;
int y = (h - size) / 2;
// Draw head circle
int headSize = size / 2;
g2d.fillOval(x + (size - headSize) / 2, y, headSize, headSize);
// Draw body
int bodyWidth = size / 2;
int bodyHeight = size / 2;
int bodyX = x + (size - bodyWidth) / 2;
int bodyY = y + headSize;
// Create body shape
Path2D.Float body = new Path2D.Float();
body.moveTo(bodyX, bodyY);
body.lineTo(bodyX + bodyWidth, bodyY);
body.lineTo(bodyX + bodyWidth + (bodyWidth / 2), bodyY + bodyHeight);
body.lineTo(bodyX - (bodyWidth / 2), bodyY + bodyHeight);
body.closePath();
g2d.fill(body);
}
/**
* Draws analytics icon (bar chart)
*/
private void drawAnalyticsIcon(Graphics2D g2d, int w, int h) {
int padding = 4;
int size = Math.min(w, h) - (2 * padding);
int x = (w - size) / 2;
int y = (h - size) / 2;
int barWidth = size / 4;
// Draw three bars of increasing height
g2d.fillRect(x, y + size - (size / 3), barWidth, size / 3);
g2d.fillRect(x + barWidth * 1 + 1, y + size - (size / 2), barWidth, size / 2);
g2d.fillRect(x + barWidth * 2 + 2, y + size - (size / 1), barWidth, size);
}
/**
* Draws settings icon (gear)
*/
private void drawSettingsIcon(Graphics2D g2d, int w, int h) {
int centerX = w / 2;
int centerY = h / 2;
int outerRadius = w / 2 - 2; // Outer radius of gear
int innerRadius = outerRadius - 5; // Inner radius of gear
int teethCount = 8; // Number of teeth on gear
// Draw center circle
g2d.fillOval(centerX - innerRadius/2, centerY - innerRadius/2,
innerRadius, innerRadius);
// Draw gear teeth
for (int i = 0; i < teethCount; i++) {
double angle = Math.toRadians(i * (360.0 / teethCount));
// Create a tooth shape
Path2D.Float tooth = new Path2D.Float();
// Starting point (inner gear)
double x1 = centerX + innerRadius * Math.cos(angle - 0.2);
double y1 = centerY + innerRadius * Math.sin(angle - 0.2);
tooth.moveTo(x1, y1);
// Outer point
double x2 = centerX + outerRadius * Math.cos(angle);
double y2 = centerY + outerRadius * Math.sin(angle);
tooth.lineTo(x2, y2);
// End point (back to inner gear)
double x3 = centerX + innerRadius * Math.cos(angle + 0.2);
double y3 = centerY + innerRadius * Math.sin(angle + 0.2);
tooth.lineTo(x3, y3);
// Draw the tooth
g2d.fill(tooth);
}
}
/**
* Draws help icon (question mark)
*/
private void drawHelpIcon(Graphics2D g2d, int w, int h) {
int padding = 3;
int size = Math.min(w, h) - (2 * padding);
int x = (w - size) / 2;
int y = (h - size) / 2;
// Draw outer circle
g2d.setStroke(new BasicStroke(2f));
g2d.drawOval(x, y, size, size);
int centerX = x + size/2;
int centerY = y + size/2;
int radius = size/2;
// Draw question mark stem (vertical line at bottom)
g2d.setStroke(new BasicStroke(2.5f, BasicStroke.CAP_ROUND, BasicStroke.JOIN_ROUND));
g2d.drawLine(centerX, centerY + radius/3, centerX, centerY + 2*radius/3);
// Draw question mark dot
//g2d.fillOval(centerX - 1, centerY - radius/3 - 1, 3, 3);
// Draw curved top of question mark
Path2D.Float curve = new Path2D.Float();
curve.moveTo(centerX - radius/3, centerY - radius/4);
curve.quadTo(centerX - radius/3, centerY - radius/2, centerX, centerY - radius/2);
curve.quadTo(centerX + radius/3, centerY - radius/2, centerX + radius/3, centerY - radius/4);
curve.quadTo(centerX + radius/3, centerY, centerX, centerY);
g2d.setStroke(new BasicStroke(2.5f, BasicStroke.CAP_ROUND, BasicStroke.JOIN_ROUND));
g2d.draw(curve);
}
/**
* Draws logout icon (door with arrow)
*/
private void drawLogoutIcon(Graphics2D g2d, int w, int h) {
int padding = 2;
int size = Math.min(w, h) - (2 * padding);
int x = (w - size) / 2;
int y = (h - size) / 2;
// Set thicker stroke for better visibility
g2d.setStroke(new BasicStroke(2f, BasicStroke.CAP_ROUND, BasicStroke.JOIN_ROUND));
// Draw door frame
int doorWidth = (int)(size * 0.6);
int doorHeight = size;
g2d.drawRect(x, y, doorWidth, doorHeight);
// Draw door handle
int handleX = x + doorWidth - 3;
int handleY = y + doorHeight/2;
g2d.fillOval(handleX - 3, handleY - 3, 6, 6);
// Draw arrow pointing out
int arrowStartX = x + doorWidth + 2;
int arrowEndX = x + size;
int arrowY = y + doorHeight/2;
// Arrow line
g2d.drawLine(arrowStartX, arrowY, arrowEndX, arrowY);
// Arrow head
int arrowHeadSize = 5;
g2d.drawLine(arrowEndX - arrowHeadSize, arrowY - arrowHeadSize, arrowEndX, arrowY);
g2d.drawLine(arrowEndX - arrowHeadSize, arrowY + arrowHeadSize, arrowEndX, arrowY);
}
}
/**
* HamburgerIcon class creates the animated hamburger/close button
*/
private class HamburgerIcon extends JPanel {
private float rotation = 0; // Current rotation angle
private boolean isHovered = false; // Hover state
public HamburgerIcon() {
setPreferredSize(new Dimension(32, 32));
setBackground(Color.WHITE);
setCursor(new Cursor(Cursor.HAND_CURSOR));
// Add mouse interaction
addMouseListener(new MouseAdapter() {
@Override
public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent e) {
toggleMenu(); // Toggle menu when clicked
}
@Override
public void mouseEntered(MouseEvent e) {
isHovered = true;
repaint();
}
@Override
public void mouseExited(MouseEvent e) {
isHovered = false;
repaint();
}
});
}
/**
* Sets the rotation angle for the icon animation
* @param rotation Angle in degrees (0 = hamburger, 180 = X)
*/
public void setRotation(float rotation) {
this.rotation = rotation;
repaint();
}
@Override
protected void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
super.paintComponent(g);
Graphics2D g2d = (Graphics2D) g;
g2d.setRenderingHint(RenderingHints.KEY_ANTIALIASING,
RenderingHints.VALUE_ANTIALIAS_ON);
int centerX = getWidth() / 2;
int centerY = getHeight() / 2;
// Save current transform to restore later
AffineTransform oldTransform = g2d.getTransform();
// Rotate around center
g2d.rotate(Math.toRadians(rotation), centerX, centerY);
// Set color based on hover state
g2d.setColor(isHovered ? new Color(60, 60, 65) : new Color(40, 40, 45));
g2d.setStroke(new BasicStroke(2.2f, BasicStroke.CAP_ROUND, BasicStroke.JOIN_ROUND));
// Draw either hamburger or X based on rotation
if (rotation < 90) {
// Hamburger state (three lines)
g2d.drawLine(8, 11, 24, 11);
g2d.drawLine(8, 16, 24, 16);
g2d.drawLine(8, 21, 24, 21);
} else {
// Close (X) state
g2d.drawLine(11, 11, 21, 21);
g2d.drawLine(11, 21, 21, 11);
}
// Restore original transform
g2d.setTransform(oldTransform);
}
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(() -> {
try {
// Use system look and feel for better integration
UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());
} catch (Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
// Create and show the main window
HamburgerMenu frame = new HamburgerMenu();
frame.setVisible(true);
});
}
}
The Final Result:
More Java Projects:
Download Projects Source Code