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CSS 'animation' Property Explained

Est. Reading: 2 minutes
Updated: April 4, 2024

The CSS 'animation' property is a shorthand for animating webpage elements. It enables you to define the duration, timing function, delay, iteration count, direction, fill mode, and play state of an animation in a single declaration. This property combines eight animation-related properties into one concise statement, making it easier to create complex animations.

CSS 'animation' Property Examples

See the Pen CSS 'animation' Property by Webzstore (@webzstore) on CodePen.

The 'animation' property streamlines the process of defining animations in CSS, offering a flexible and powerful tool for adding dynamic visual effects to web pages. Combining multiple aspects of animation into a single property simplifies the syntax. It enhances readability, making it easier to create and manage CSS animations.

Browser Support For 'animation' Property

FirefoxSafariChromeMicrosoft EdgeOpera
16.0
5.0 -moz-
9.0
4.0 -webkit-
43.0
4.0 -webkit-
10.030.0
15.0 -webkit-
12.0 -o-

CSS Syntax of the 'animation' Property

animation: name | duration | timing-function | delay | iteration-count | direction | fill-mode | play-state;

Usage of the 'animation' Property

Use the 'animation' property when you want to add movement or transitions to an element, creating more engaging and dynamic user interfaces. It can be used to draw attention to specific parts of a page, indicate loading states, provide feedback on user interactions, or add visual interest to your site.

Property Values of the 'animation' Property

  • Name: Specifies the name of the keyframe you want to bind to the selector.
  • Duration: The length of time it takes for the animation to complete one cycle.
  • Timing-function: Controls the pacing of the animation (e.g., linear, ease-in, ease-out, ease-in-out).
  • Delay: The waiting time before the animation starts.
  • Iteration-count: The number of times the animation should repeat; infinite for endless repetition.
  • Direction: Specifies whether the animation should play forwards, backward, or alternate between the two.
  • Fill-mode: Defines how a CSS animation should apply styles to its target before and after its execution.
  • Play-state: Determines whether the animation is running or paused.

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