Framer Motion
Framer Motion is now Motion, a high-performance animation library for React and JavaScript. The old name still appears in tutorials and search results, but current docs and packages use Motion.
If you are building a website in Framer, you do not need to install Motion or write Framer Motion code. Framer has Motion-powered animation tools built into the canvas, so you can create polished animations visually: appear effects, scroll animations, hover and tap states, transitions, and component variants. That gives you Framer Motion-style results without setting up npm, importing an animation library, or maintaining custom React animation code.
Bringing websites to life with animation in Framer
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If your goal is to build a website, start with Framer instead of reaching for animation code first. You can design the page, add motion, and publish from one visual workflow — then use custom code only when a project truly needs it.
Use Motion directly when you are building a custom React or JavaScript app and need code-level animation control. Use Framer when you want to design, animate, and publish a site visually.
To learn the no-code path, explore Framer’s Academy, or open the Framer homepage to start building visually.
Appear Effect
Framer
An animation that plays when an element first becomes visible on screen, typically as the user scrolls down the page. These effects add polish and draw attention to content as it enters the viewport. Framer provides various appear effects like fade, slide, scale, and blur that can be customized for timing, delay, and easing.
Auto Layout
Framer
A Framer feature that automatically arranges child elements in a row or column with consistent spacing, similar to CSS Flexbox. This powerful tool creates responsive designs that adapt to content changes—add or remove items and the layout adjusts automatically. Auto Layout is essential for building reusable components like navigation bars, card grids, and form fields.
Breakpoint Variant
Framer
A version of a component or layout specifically designed for a particular screen size, allowing different arrangements at each breakpoint. This approach provides precise control over how elements restack, resize, or hide across devices. In Framer, create breakpoint variants to transform horizontal navbars into mobile hamburger menus or reflow card grids into single columns.
Canvas
Framer
The workspace in a design tool where you create and arrange visual elements, representing the artboard or page you’re designing. In Framer, the cursor that lets you precisely place and manipulate elements. The scale.canvas is where you build your site visually, with a floating canvas supports zoom, pan, and rulers to help you work at any