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-gradients, 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.