Transform & Animation

CSS transition Property

Shorthand for transition-property, transition-duration, transition-timing-function, and transition-delay

Syntax

CSS
transition: <property> <duration> <timing-function>? <delay>?;

Values

ValueDescription
noneNo transitions
all 0.3s easeAll properties, 300ms, ease curve
opacity 0.2sOnly opacity, 200ms
transform 0.3s ease-outTransform with ease-out

Example

CSS
.button {
  transition: background-color 0.2s, transform 0.2s;
}
.button:hover {
  background-color: #3b82f6;
  transform: translateY(-1px);
}

Understanding CSS transition

The CSS transition property shorthand for transition-property, transition-duration, transition-timing-function, and transition-delay. As part of the Transform & Animation module in CSS, it is one of the most commonly used properties for controlling the visual presentation of web pages.

You can set transition to values such as none, all 0.3s ease, opacity 0.2s, transform 0.3s ease-out, among others. Each value changes how the browser renders the affected element, giving you fine-grained control over your page layout and design. Choosing the right value depends on the specific design requirements of your project.

Common use cases for the transition property include responsive web design, component-based layouts, and creating visually consistent interfaces across devices. It works closely with related properties like transition-property, transition-duration, transition-timing-function to achieve complex styling effects. Understanding how these properties interact helps you write cleaner, more maintainable stylesheets.

Browser support for transition is excellent across all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For older browsers, consider using fallback values or progressive enhancement strategies. The property can also be set dynamically via JavaScript using element.style.transition or the CSS custom properties (variables) approach for theming.

Related Properties

Explore More CSS Properties

Browse our complete reference of 251 CSS properties with syntax, examples, and tips.