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  2. HTML/CSS
  3. Animation

15 Inspiring Examples of CSS Animation on CodePen

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CodePen is unquestionably the go-to place to show off what we can do with our web creations. Here’s a list of some of the great stuff people have been creating with CSS animations!

1. Pure CSS Watch Animation

Pure CSS watch animation by Grzegorz Witczak (@Wujek_Greg).

This is a lovely example of combining CSS transform (rotate and translate) to position the hands and the day/night indicator on a stylish watch face.

2. CSS Submarine 

Submarine animation with CSS in CodePen by Alberto Jerez (@ajerez).

Gorgeous use of the circular port-hole shaped container gives this CSS-animated submarine a lot of charm.

3. ASCII AT-AT

AT-AT by Tim Pietrusky (@TimPietrusky).

Star Wars inspired AT-AT personnel carrier, drawn using text with the colours cycled in CSS. It's a funky image animation CSS found on CodePen.

4. SVG/CSS Loader

Loader SVG/CSS by Bidji (@Bidji).

This loader uses the changing colours to give the impression of rotating. It's a simple yet cool animation in CSS found on CodePen.

5. 3D CSS Tardis

3D CSS Tardis by Gerwin van Royen (@Gerwinnz).

CSS can be used to create some amazing 3D effects. Here’s a 3D tardis animation found on CodePen:

6. Dozing Bird

Dozing Bird by Peter Klein (@pmk).

Simple art style and just the right amount of animation give this sleepy bird the illusion of life.

7. Pure CSS Border Animation

Pure CSS border animation without SVG by Rplus (@rplus).

Simple yet very effective use of CSS borders to create a loading-style animation.

8. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens in CSS by Donovan Hutchinson (@donovanh).

The newest trilogy from the Star Wars franchise has its detractors. But this animation using CSS, HTML and a little JavaScript should have nothing but fans.

9. 3D Synth

Pure CSS 3D Synthesizer (mousedown for rotation) by Nikolay Talanov (@suez).

Try out the keys and rotating this 3D synth animation created using CSS and shared on CodePen. Amazing work:

10. Cascading Solar System

Cascading Solar System! by Tady Walsh (@tadywankenobi).

A model of our solar system, complete with scaled rotation speed, moons and details on each of the larger planets. The sun is even a live capture of the real thing!

11. 3D Solar System CSS

Full CSS 3D Solar System by Julian Garnier (@juliangarnier).

Another solar system animation on CodePen, but this time in 3D. Beautiful use of shading.

12. Flat Design Camera

Flat design camera with CSS animation on CodePen by Damien Pereira Morberto (@damienpm).

Press the shutter on this flat camera to see it create a photo using CSS animation.

13. Day and Night Transition

Day Night simulation by Szymon Stypa (@Catagen).

Press the button to see day transform to night.

14. Animated Sprite With CSS

Animate sprite with CSS by Avaz Bokiev (@samarkandiy).

A demonstration of how a sequence of images (sprite) can be used to create stop-motion animation, complete with forward and reverse motion. Deselect the checkbox and use the arrow buttons to watch each frame move.

15. Dodecahedron

Dodecahedron image animation in CSS by wontem (@wontem).

On CodePen, find this subtle, beautiful dodecahedron created and animated entirely with CSS.

CSS Animations on Envato Market

You'll find lots of great animations on CodePen. CSS animations are a growing category on Envato Market too. If you want to use animation effects in your projects, you can find everything from shadows to image hover effects, lightboxes and more.

Popular CSS animations on Envato MarketPopular CSS animations on Envato MarketPopular CSS animations on Envato Market
Popular CSS animations on Envato Market

Conclusion

Not long ago, we would have leaned on Flash or JavaScript tools for any in-browser animation. Modern browsers have brought better support for CSS, with hardware accelerated 3D and animation. 

Thanks to sites such as CodePen, we can share and learn more easily than ever before. What are some of the most inspiring animation demos you’ve seen recently?

Learn CSS: The Complete Guide

Have these CodePen CSS animations sparked your interest in making one yourself? We've built a complete guide to help you learn CSS, whether you're just getting started with the basics or you want to explore more advanced CSS.

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