CSS Animations

What are CSS Animations?

CSS Animations allow elements to gradually change from one style to another without using JavaScript.

• Create smooth UI transitions
• Improve user experience
• Highlight important elements
• Reduce dependency on JavaScript

CSS Transitions

Transitions animate changes between two states (for example: hover effects).

• transition-property
• transition-duration
• transition-timing-function
• transition-delay

Transition Example

button {
    background: #2563eb;
    color: #fff;
    padding: 10px 20px;
    transition: background 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease;
}

button:hover {
    background: #1e40af;
    transform: scale(1.1);
}

                

CSS Keyframes

@keyframes define how an animation progresses over time.

• 0% → starting state
• 100% → ending state
• Can include multiple steps

Keyframes Animation Example

@keyframes fadeIn {
    from {
        opacity: 0;
        transform: translateY(20px);
    }
    to {
        opacity: 1;
        transform: translateY(0);
    }
}

.card {
    animation: fadeIn 1s ease-in-out;
}

                

Animation Properties

• animation-name
• animation-duration
• animation-timing-function
• animation-delay
• animation-iteration-count
• animation-direction

Infinite Animation Example

@keyframes rotate {
    from {
        transform: rotate(0deg);
    }
    to {
        transform: rotate(360deg);
    }
}

.loader {
    width: 40px;
    height: 40px;
    border: 4px solid #ddd;
    border-top: 4px solid #2563eb;
    border-radius: 50%;
    animation: rotate 1s linear infinite;
}

                

Best Practices for CSS Animations

• Keep animations subtle
• Avoid excessive motion
• Prefer transform and opacity
• Respect user preferences (prefers-reduced-motion)