What is Framer Motion?

Framer Motion is a tool (a library) for the React JavaScript framework that lets you create smooth, interactive animations on websites. It does this with simple, readable code so you don’t have to write a lot of complicated animation logic yourself.

Let's break it down

  • Framer Motion - the name of the animation library; “Framer” is the company that made it, “Motion” means movement.
  • React library - a collection of ready-made code that works with React, a popular way to build user interfaces.
  • Makes it easy - it simplifies the process; you can do a lot with just a few lines of code.
  • Smooth, interactive animations - visual effects that move fluidly and respond to user actions like clicks or scrolls.
  • Web pages - the pages you see in a browser on the internet.
  • Without writing complex code - you don’t need to understand low-level animation math or write long scripts; the library handles the hard parts for you.

Why does it matter?

Animations make a site feel alive, guide users’ attention, and improve the overall experience. Framer Motion lets developers add these effects quickly, so they can focus on design and functionality rather than wrestling with low-level animation code.

Where is it used?

  • Interactive product landing pages that showcase features with animated transitions.
  • Dashboard interfaces where charts and panels slide, fade, or expand as users interact.
  • E-commerce sites that animate product cards, add-to-cart buttons, and checkout steps for a polished feel.
  • Mobile-web apps built with React Native Web that need consistent motion across devices.

Good things about it

  • Simple API: you can add animations with just a few props.
  • Built for React: works seamlessly with React’s component model and state.
  • Powerful features: supports gestures, layout transitions, and physics-based motion.
  • Good performance: uses the browser’s native animation engine (requestAnimationFrame).
  • Active community and solid documentation.

Not-so-good things

  • Tied to React: not useful if you’re using a different framework or plain HTML/JS.
  • Learning curve for advanced features: complex gestures or custom physics can still be tricky.
  • Bundle size: adds extra kilobytes to your project, which may matter for very lightweight sites.
  • Occasionally lagging behind the latest React updates, requiring patches or workarounds.