Mastering SVG Animation In React.js

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Hey guys! Ever wanted to bring your React.js projects to life with cool animations? SVG animation is your secret weapon! It's a fantastic way to create engaging and dynamic visuals, and when combined with React, the possibilities are endless. This guide will take you through everything you need to know to master SVG animation in React.js, from the basics to some more advanced techniques. We'll cover how to animate SVGs, the best libraries to use, and practical examples to get you started. Buckle up, because we're about to dive deep!

H2: What is SVG and Why Use It in React.js Animation?

So, what exactly is SVG? Well, SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics. Unlike raster images (like JPEGs or PNGs) that are made up of pixels, SVGs are defined by mathematical formulas. This means they can scale to any size without losing quality – perfect for responsive designs! In the context of SVG animation in React.js, this scalability is incredibly important. You can create complex animations that look crisp and clean on any screen, from tiny mobile devices to massive desktop displays.

But why use SVG animation in the first place, especially when you're building with React.js? Here's the lowdown. First, SVGs are inherently lightweight. This is because they're described using code, making them smaller in file size compared to other image formats, which means faster loading times for your website or app. Secondly, SVG animation is highly customizable. You have complete control over every aspect of the animation, from the shape and color to the timing and duration. You can easily create unique and eye-catching effects that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with other methods. Thirdly, React.js is a fantastic framework for working with SVGs. React's component-based architecture allows you to create reusable SVG components and easily manage their state and animation logic. This makes it a breeze to build complex and interactive animations. Finally, SVG is widely supported by all major browsers, ensuring that your animations will work seamlessly across different platforms. This is super important, since you want everyone to enjoy your creations!

In short, using SVG animation in React.js is a smart choice. It gives you the power to create beautiful, scalable, and engaging visuals that will keep your users hooked. Plus, it's a fun and rewarding way to spice up your projects!

H2: Setting Up Your React.js Environment for SVG Animation

Alright, let's get you set up to start animating SVGs in React.js! The first thing you'll need is a working React.js development environment. If you don't already have one, don't sweat it. Here's a quick guide to get you up and running. First, make sure you have Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) installed on your machine. You can download them from the official Node.js website. Once you have those installed, create a new React app using Create React App. Open your terminal or command prompt and run this command: npx create-react-app my-svg-animation-app. Replace my-svg-animation-app with whatever you want to name your project. This command will set up a basic React project structure for you, with all the necessary dependencies. Next, navigate into your newly created project directory by running cd my-svg-animation-app. Now that you're inside your project directory, you can start adding the libraries and tools you'll need for SVG animation in React.js.

There are a few popular libraries that make working with SVG animations a whole lot easier. One of the most popular is react-spring. It provides declarative animation capabilities and is known for its smooth and natural-looking animations. You can install it with the command: npm install react-spring. Another great option is GSAP (GreenSock Animation Platform). It's a powerful and versatile animation library that can handle a wide range of animation tasks. Install it with: npm install gsap. Choose the one you like best, or try both and see what works for you. Once the libraries are installed, you can start importing them into your React components and using them to animate your SVGs. But before you start coding, it's helpful to understand how SVGs work and how to get them into your React components. The easiest way to get SVG code is to create it with a design program like Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, or Figma, or you can find free SVG assets online. You can either copy and paste the SVG code directly into your React component or import the SVG file. Let's move on to the basics of importing and using SVGs.

H2: Importing and Rendering SVG Elements in React

Alright, now that your environment is ready, let's get your SVGs into your React components! There are a few different ways to do this, each with its own pros and cons. The simplest method is to directly embed the SVG code within your React component. This involves copying the <svg> code from your SVG file or design tool and pasting it into your component's return statement. For example:

function MySvgComponent() {
  return (
    <svg width="100" height="100">
      <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="40" stroke="green" strokeWidth="4" fill="yellow" />
    </svg>
  );
}

export default MySvgComponent;

This method is great for simple SVGs or when you need to easily modify the SVG code directly within your component. However, if your SVG is complex or if you want to reuse it in multiple places, this approach can become cumbersome. The second way is to import SVG files as components. Many build tools and bundlers (like Webpack, which Create React App uses under the hood) allow you to import SVG files just like any other component. This is generally the preferred approach because it keeps your code organized and lets you treat your SVGs as reusable components. To import an SVG, use an import statement:

import MySvg from './my-svg.svg';

function MySvgComponent() {
  return (
    <MySvg width="100" height="100" />
  );
}

export default MySvgComponent;

Make sure to install a loader such as svgr to do this. You can install it by running npm install @svgr/webpack --save-dev. Then modify the webpack.config.js to handle SVG files. Finally, once you have the SVG rendered in your component, you can style it using inline styles or CSS classes. Inline styles are applied directly to the SVG elements. You can do this by adding a style attribute to the element:

<circle cx="50" cy="50" r="40" style={{ fill: 'blue' }} />

CSS classes are a great way to keep your styling organized and reusable. To apply CSS classes, use the className attribute on your SVG elements and then define the styles in your CSS file.

H2: Animating SVG Attributes with React.js and CSS

Alright, let's dive into the actual animation part! One of the most straightforward ways to animate SVGs in React.js is by using CSS transitions and animations. This approach is great for simple animations and can be quite performant. It involves applying CSS styles to your SVG elements and then using CSS's transition or animation properties to create the animation.

First, you'll need to target the SVG elements you want to animate. You can do this by adding CSS classes or using inline styles. Let's say you have a circle element in your SVG:

<circle cx="50" cy="50" r="40" className="my-circle" />

Next, define the CSS styles for the animation. You can use the transition property to animate changes to specific attributes. For example, to animate the cx (center x) attribute of the circle over a 0.5-second duration, you would write this CSS:

.my-circle {
  transition: cx 0.5s ease;
}

.my-circle:hover {
  cx: 100;
}

In this example, the circle's cx attribute will transition to 100 when you hover over the circle. You can also use the animation property to create more complex animations. This involves defining keyframes that specify the different states of the animation. For example, to create a simple rotating animation:

.my-circle {
  animation: rotate 2s linear infinite;
}

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

With this CSS, the circle will rotate continuously. In addition to animating the attributes, you can also animate styles like color, fill, and stroke. This gives you a lot of control over the visual appearance of your SVG. CSS animations are generally performant and easy to use, especially for simpler animations. However, for more complex animations, or for situations where you need to control the animation from JavaScript, you might want to explore other options like react-spring or GSAP.

H2: Animating SVG Attributes with React.js and JavaScript Libraries

Alright, let's move on to animating SVGs using JavaScript libraries! While CSS transitions and animations are great for simpler effects, when you need more control, complexity, or interactivity, it's time to bring in the big guns – libraries like react-spring and GSAP. These libraries give you powerful tools to create stunning SVG animations in your React.js projects.

Let's start with react-spring. It's a declarative animation library, which means you describe what you want to animate, and the library takes care of the how. Here’s a basic example:

import { useSpring, animated } from 'react-spring';

function MyAnimatedCircle() {
  const props = useSpring({
    cx: 100,
    from: { cx: 50 },
  });

  return (
    <animated.circle cx={props.cx} cy="50" r="40" fill="red" />
  );
}

export default MyAnimatedCircle;

In this code, useSpring is a hook that manages the animation. We define cx: 100 as the target value and from: { cx: 50 } as the starting point. The animated.circle component then receives the animated cx value. react-spring handles all the interpolation and smooth transitions for you. It also offers more advanced features like config for customizing the animation's spring physics, and callbacks for handling events. GSAP (GreenSock Animation Platform) is another beast of an animation library. It's known for its performance and versatility. You can animate just about anything with GSAP, including SVG attributes. It uses a timeline-based approach, which is perfect for creating complex sequences.

Here's a simplified GSAP example:

import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
import { gsap } from "gsap";

function MyAnimatedCircle() {
  const circleRef = useRef(null);

  useEffect(() => {
    gsap.to(circleRef.current, {
      cx: 100,
      duration: 1,
    });
  }, []);

  return (
    <circle ref={circleRef} cx="50" cy="50" r="40" fill="blue" />
  );
}

export default MyAnimatedCircle;

Here, we use gsap.to to animate the cx attribute of the circle. We get a reference to the circle element with useRef and then use gsap.to inside a useEffect hook to start the animation when the component mounts. GSAP provides tons of options for controlling the animation, like easing functions, delays, and callbacks. Both react-spring and GSAP offer excellent performance and a ton of flexibility. SVG animation in React.js has never been easier!

H2: Creating Interactive SVG Animations in React.js

Let's make those animations interactive, shall we? Adding interactivity to your SVG animations in React.js makes your projects even more engaging. You can trigger animations based on user events like clicks, hovers, or even keyboard input. Here’s how to do it.

First, you need to attach event listeners to your SVG elements. In React, you do this just like with regular HTML elements: by adding event handler props. For example, to handle a click on a circle:

<circle cx="50" cy="50" r="40" fill="green" onClick={handleClick} />

Next, define the event handler function. In this case, handleClick will be called when the circle is clicked. Inside the handler, you can use the libraries (react-spring, GSAP, or CSS transitions) to trigger or modify the animation. For example, you might want to change the fill color, move the circle, or start a new animation sequence. Let's illustrate this with a simple click animation using react-spring:

import { useState } from 'react';
import { useSpring, animated } from 'react-spring';

function InteractiveCircle() {
  const [isClicked, setIsClicked] = useState(false);
  const props = useSpring({
    cx: isClicked ? 100 : 50,
    fill: isClicked ? 'blue' : 'green',
  });

  const handleClick = () => {
    setIsClicked(!isClicked);
  };

  return (
    <animated.circle
      cx={props.cx}
      cy="50"
      r="40"
      fill={props.fill}
      onClick={handleClick}
    />
  );
}

export default InteractiveCircle;

Here, the handleClick function toggles the isClicked state. This triggers the useSpring animation to update the cx and fill properties. You can do a similar thing with GSAP. The main idea is to use the event handler to manipulate the animation's target values or trigger animation sequences. Remember, it's all about tying user interactions to changes in your SVG animations! You can create many different types of interactive animations, from simple button click effects to complex, multi-stage animations triggered by a series of user actions.

H2: Performance Optimization for SVG Animations in React.js

Alright, let's talk about keeping things smooth and speedy! Performance is key when it comes to SVG animation in React.js. Slow animations can lead to a frustrating user experience. So, here are some essential tips and tricks for optimizing your animations.

First, keep your SVGs simple. Complex SVGs with too many elements, paths, or transformations can slow down the rendering process. Try to simplify your designs as much as possible without sacrificing visual quality. Combine paths where possible, reduce the number of nodes, and use efficient drawing techniques. Second, use hardware acceleration. Modern browsers can leverage the computer's GPU to render animations more efficiently. You can often encourage hardware acceleration by using the transform property for your animations. Also, if you're using CSS animations or transitions, ensure your code is performant. Avoid unnecessary repaints and reflows. Make sure you're only animating properties that trigger the correct rendering path (e.g., using transform rather than left and top).

Third, use the will-change property. This CSS property tells the browser in advance which properties are likely to change during an animation, so it can optimize rendering. For example, if you're animating the cx attribute of a circle, you can add will-change: cx; to the circle's CSS. This is like giving the browser a heads-up about what to expect, which helps it prepare for the animation. Fourth, consider using the requestAnimationFrame method. This method helps you schedule animation updates so they happen in sync with the browser's repaint cycle. This can lead to smoother and more efficient animations, especially for complex or interactive animations. Fifth, debounce and throttle event handlers. If your animations are triggered by events like mouse movements, be careful about how frequently those events are handled. Debouncing and throttling can help you limit the number of times your animation code runs, preventing performance issues.

H2: SVG Animation Libraries: React-Spring vs. GSAP vs. Others

So, you're ready to pick a library, right? Let's compare some popular choices for SVG animation in React.js. The two heavyweights we've touched on are react-spring and GSAP. They each offer different strengths, and the best choice for you depends on your specific needs.

React-spring is a great choice for its declarative approach. It emphasizes simplicity and ease of use. It excels at spring-based animations that feel natural and organic, which is especially appealing for UI transitions and subtle effects. It's also a good option if you're new to animation libraries because it's easier to learn. GSAP (GreenSock Animation Platform) is more powerful and versatile. It's known for its performance and ability to handle complex animation sequences. GSAP offers a timeline-based system, which allows you to control animation sequences. This makes it perfect for intricate animations that involve multiple elements and synchronized movements. It also supports advanced features like easing functions, and more. However, GSAP has a slightly steeper learning curve than react-spring, but the flexibility is unmatched.

Besides these, there are other libraries worth considering. React-Motion uses the spring physics to create animations and React-Anime is a lightweight animejs wrapper for React. The best choice depends on your project's complexity, your familiarity with animation, and the type of effects you want to create. For straightforward UI transitions and subtle effects, react-spring is an excellent choice. For complex sequences and high-performance animations, GSAP shines. If you're just starting out, consider trying both! See which library best fits your workflow and preferences.

H2: Common SVG Animation Techniques in React.js

Time to get into some specific techniques, eh? Here are some common and useful SVG animation techniques you can use in your React.js projects, with a few examples to spark your creativity.

One of the most common is animating paths. This involves animating the stroke-dashoffset and stroke-dasharray attributes of an SVG path. This technique is perfect for creating line drawing or reveal effects. Let's say you have a path representing a line. You can animate the stroke-dashoffset to make the line appear to draw itself. In GSAP, it would look something like this:

import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
import { gsap } from "gsap";

function PathDrawingAnimation() {
  const pathRef = useRef(null);

  useEffect(() => {
    const path = pathRef.current;
    const pathLength = path.getTotalLength();

    gsap.set(path, { strokeDashoffset: pathLength, strokeDasharray: pathLength });
    gsap.to(path, {
      strokeDashoffset: 0,
      duration: 2,
    });
  }, []);

  return <path ref={pathRef} d="M10 10 L100 100" stroke="black" strokeWidth="2" fill="none" />;
}

export default PathDrawingAnimation;

This example calculates the length of the path, sets the initial strokeDashoffset to the path length, and then animates it to 0 to reveal the line. Secondly, animating shapes. You can animate the size, position, and other attributes of basic shapes like circles, rectangles, and ellipses. This can be used for creating effects, such as growing circles, expanding rectangles, or pulsating shapes.

import { useSpring, animated } from 'react-spring';

function PulsatingCircle() {
  const props = useSpring({
    r: 40,
    from: { r: 10 },
    config: { tension: 150, friction: 20 },
  });

  return <animated.circle cx="50" cy="50" style={{ r: props.r }} fill="blue" />;
}

export default PulsatingCircle;

In this example, the radius (r) of the circle is animated with a spring effect to create a pulsating appearance. Thirdly, morphing shapes. You can transform one shape into another using libraries like GSAP or by manipulating the shape's points or attributes. This is good for creating animated transitions and transitions. Finally, morphing shapes! Another great technique is animating colors and gradients. You can use CSS transitions or libraries to animate the fill or stroke properties of your SVG elements. This gives you control over the visual appearance of your elements. These are only a few examples, but they can give you a solid starting point to get creative with SVG animation in your React.js applications.

H2: Animating SVG Text in React.js

Let's not forget about text! Animating SVG text is a great way to add visual interest and make your text stand out. The principles are similar to animating other SVG elements. You can apply CSS transitions, animations, or use libraries like react-spring or GSAP to bring your text to life.

One common technique is to animate the x and y attributes of the <text> element to control its position. You can also animate the font-size, fill, and stroke attributes to change the text's appearance. Imagine animating text to slide in from off-screen or to change color. Here’s a basic example using GSAP to animate text sliding in from the left:

import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
import { gsap } from 'gsap';

function TextSlideIn() {
  const textRef = useRef(null);

  useEffect(() => {
    gsap.from(textRef.current, { x: -100, opacity: 0, duration: 1 });
  }, []);

  return <text ref={textRef} x="50" y="50" fontSize="24" fill="black">Hello, React!</text>;
}

export default TextSlideIn;

Here, the gsap.from function animates the text's x and opacity properties from a starting position off-screen to its final position. Another cool effect is animating text along a path. This involves using the <textPath> element and a <path> element to define the text's position. You can then animate the path or text itself to create interesting effects. You can create dynamic text animations that respond to user interactions or display data dynamically, by combining these techniques with React's state management. The possibilities are endless!

H2: Advanced SVG Animation Techniques in React.js

Ready to level up your skills? Let's explore some advanced SVG animation techniques in React.js. These will allow you to build more complex, eye-catching animations.

One advanced technique is using SVG filters. SVG filters are powerful tools that can be used to create a variety of effects, such as blurring, shadows, and distortions. You can animate the attributes of SVG filters to create dynamic visual effects. The attributes you can animate include, for example, blur, offset, color. The process involves defining an SVG filter element with the filter attribute, then adding the filter effects to your SVG elements and animating the filter. Another technique is creating morphing shapes. While we mentioned this earlier, it becomes more complex when dealing with complex shapes and intricate transitions. You can use the path attribute of your SVG elements and animate the coordinates to morph the shape between different forms. This typically involves defining the start and end paths and interpolating the points between them using libraries like GSAP or custom code. Also, animating gradients and patterns will enhance the visual appearance of your animations. You can animate the attributes of gradients and patterns to create dynamic color transitions, and patterned effects. Consider using the <linearGradient>, <radialGradient>, and <pattern> elements in combination with animation. The key is manipulating the attributes. Combining multiple techniques, like animating paths, colors, and gradients, will allow you to create truly impressive animations. The only limit is your imagination.

H2: Integrating SVG Animations with React Hooks

React Hooks have revolutionized how we build React components, and they're incredibly useful when it comes to SVG animation. They allow you to manage state, lifecycle events, and side effects more easily within functional components, making your animation code cleaner and more maintainable. Let's explore how to use them.

The useState hook is your best friend for managing animation-related states. For example, you can use it to track whether an animation is playing, its current progress, or any other data needed. The useEffect hook is essential for initializing and controlling your animations. You can use it to start, stop, and update animations based on your component's state or props changes. If you use an animation library like GSAP, you'll usually use useEffect to set up the animation timeline when the component mounts and clean up the animation when it unmounts.

import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
import { gsap } from 'gsap';

function AnimatedCircle() {
  const circleRef = useRef(null);
  const [isPlaying, setIsPlaying] = useState(false);

  useEffect(() => {
    if (isPlaying) {
      gsap.to(circleRef.current, { duration: 1, x: 100 });
    } else {
      gsap.killTweensOf(circleRef.current);
    }
  }, [isPlaying]);

  const handleClick = () => {
    setIsPlaying(!isPlaying);
  };

  return (
    <circle ref={circleRef} cx="50" cy="50" r="40" onClick={handleClick} fill="blue" />
  );
}

export default AnimatedCircle;

In this example, the useEffect hook is used to start or stop the GSAP animation when the isPlaying state changes. This example shows how hooks can be used to make animations more dynamic and interactive. The combination of hooks and animation libraries is an extremely powerful way to build animations.

H2: Using SVG Animations for UI/UX Enhancements

Let's see how you can use SVG animation to make your user interfaces even better. Animated SVGs can play a crucial role in improving user experience (UX) and making your apps more engaging. Here are some practical examples.

First, use animations to provide visual feedback on user actions. This can include animations to show a button click, to indicate that a form is being submitted, or to display a loading indicator. Small animations can help users understand what’s happening and reduce uncertainty. Next, use animations for transitions between different states or pages. For example, you can animate elements when they enter, leave, or change positions. This can improve the sense of visual continuity. Third, use animations to highlight important information. Drawing a user's attention to key elements on the page can be a useful way to guide the user's actions or give them information. Finally, use animations to add subtle effects that improve the overall look and feel of your app. For instance, you can add hover animations to buttons, or a shimmering effect on an image. The goal is to create a more polished and user-friendly design.

H2: SVG Animation for Loading Indicators and Preloaders

Need to keep your users engaged while content loads? SVG animation is perfect for creating engaging loading indicators and preloaders. They're an excellent alternative to boring static spinners, which can provide visual feedback and make your users feel like things are happening in the background.

One option is animating a simple spinner with CSS. You can use the stroke-dashoffset and stroke-dasharray properties. These techniques will create a smooth rotating animation, while the content is loading. Another option is animating SVG paths to create an animation. The path can create a shape that will appear to draw itself, offering a more custom loading experience. You can use any of the animation libraries mentioned before for this (react-spring, GSAP). You can also create more elaborate loading animations, such as animated progress bars, which provide clear feedback on how long the user has to wait. When creating a loading indicator, make sure it’s consistent with the overall design of your app. Use the same colors, fonts, and style to maintain a cohesive look and feel. If you're handling errors during the loading process, consider showing an error animation. This could involve animated icons that reflect the issue.

H2: SVG Animation with React Context and Props

Let's combine SVG animation with React Context and props to create even more dynamic and reusable animations. Context and props are powerful tools that help you manage data flow and share information within your React components, which can then be used for animation.

Props are used to pass data from parent components to child components. You can pass animation parameters, such as duration, color, or starting/ending points. This makes your animation more customizable and reusable. For example, you could create an animated circle component and then control its fill color or radius by passing in props. You can also use props to trigger animations based on data changes. If a parent component updates the props, the child component's animation can react to the new data. Context lets you share data across components without explicitly passing props down through the component tree. This is helpful when you have a lot of nested components, and you want to share animation-related data globally.

// Create a context
const AnimationContext = React.createContext();

// Provider component
function AnimationProvider({
  children,
  animationDuration = 1,
  animationColor = 'blue',
}) {
  const animationConfig = {
    duration: animationDuration,
    color: animationColor,
  };

  return (
    <AnimationContext.Provider value={animationConfig}>
      {children}
    </AnimationContext.Provider>
  );
}

// Component using the context
function AnimatedCircle() {
  const animationConfig = React.useContext(AnimationContext);
  const { duration, color } = animationConfig;

  // ... use the duration and color in your animation ...
}

export default AnimationProvider;

In this example, the AnimationProvider component provides animation configuration data through context. Then, the AnimatedCircle component uses that configuration for animation. This makes it easy to change animation settings in one place and have those changes reflected across multiple components. Props and context can be used together to build very sophisticated animation systems.

H2: Debugging and Troubleshooting SVG Animations in React.js

Ah, the debugging phase! Don't worry, it's a part of the process. Troubleshooting SVG animations in React.js can sometimes be tricky. So, here are some useful tips to help you identify and fix issues.

First, check your browser's developer tools. They are your best friend when debugging. Use the Elements tab to inspect your SVG elements, view their styles, and check for any unexpected changes. The Console tab will help you find JavaScript errors. If there's something wrong, that's usually where you'll find the clues. Next, use console logs! Add console.log statements to your code to track the values of variables, the execution flow, and the timing of your animations. This will help you understand exactly what your code is doing. Third, break down your code into smaller chunks. If your animation isn't working, try isolating different parts of the code to pinpoint the source of the problem. Comment out parts of the code to see if the issue is related to that section, and then add them back in one by one. Fourth, double-check your CSS and animation configurations. Make sure your CSS selectors are correct, and your transitions or animations have the right properties and values. If you are using GSAP, make sure that all plugins are correctly imported, and that the animation is initialized correctly. Finally, test on different browsers. Sometimes, animations may behave differently in different browsers. If possible, test your animations in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari to ensure they work as expected across all platforms.

H2: Accessibility Considerations for SVG Animations

Creating accessible SVG animations is incredibly important to make your projects inclusive and user-friendly for everyone. Here's how to make your SVG animations accessible.

First, provide alternative text descriptions for all your animations. Use the aria-label or aria-describedby attributes on your SVG elements. Screen readers will use these attributes to describe the animation to visually impaired users. Next, make sure animations don't automatically start or loop indefinitely. If an animation is too distracting, it could cause a sensory overload. Use the prefers-reduced-motion media query to provide an alternative experience for users. This will allow users to turn off animations on their system settings. Third, use appropriate color contrast. Ensure there is sufficient contrast between the animated elements and the background, so users can distinguish them easily. Test your animations with a color contrast checker tool to make sure it's accessible. Fourth, provide clear focus indicators. When the animation is interactive, make sure the user is clear on which element has focus and can interact with it. Make use of :focus state and style these elements with a visible outline. Fifth, don't rely solely on animations to convey important information. Make sure that the information is also presented in a clear and accessible format for all users.

H2: Advanced Animation Easing and Timing Functions for SVG Animations

Let's talk about the magic behind smooth and engaging animations: easing and timing functions! Easing functions define the rate of change of an animation over time, which gives your animations their unique feel. Timing functions specify how an animation progresses over its duration, influencing how elements move, scale, or change color.

CSS offers several built-in easing functions like linear, ease, ease-in, ease-out, and ease-in-out. These are great for simple animations. If you need more control, you can use the cubic-bezier() function to create custom easing curves. This lets you design precisely how the animation accelerates and decelerates. For example, to create a