 <p>A simple solution should be using the css3 transition. You can do something like this:</p> <p>In Your CSS</p> <pre><code>#facebook_icon li{ -moz-transition: background-position 1s; -webkit-transition: background-position 1s; -o-transition: background-position 1s; transition: background-position 1s; background-position: 0 0; } #facebook_icon li:hover{ background-position: 0 -119px; } </code></pre>