The View Transitions API enables smooth animated transitions between page states or views. Here's how to use it.
Basic View Transition
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Default Transition CSS
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Named Transitions
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Page Navigation
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MPA View Transitions
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Directional Transitions
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Shared Element Transitions
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Card Expansion
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List Reordering
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Tab Switching
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Dark Mode Toggle
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Transition Types
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Reduce Motion
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Best Practices
Implementation:
✓ Check for API support
✓ Use meaningful transition names
✓ Clean up transition names after
✓ Respect prefers-reduced-motion
Performance:
✓ Keep animations short (200-400ms)
✓ Use transform and opacity
✓ Avoid animating layout properties
✓ Limit number of transitioning elements
UX:
✓ Match animation to action
✓ Use directional cues
✓ Keep transitions subtle
✓ Provide visual continuity
Avoid:
✗ Overusing transitions
✗ Long animation durations
✗ Complex nested transitions
✗ Ignoring accessibility
Conclusion
The View Transitions API enables smooth, native transitions between page states. Use named transitions for shared elements, customize animations with CSS, and implement directional transitions for navigation. Always respect user preferences for reduced motion and keep animations short and purposeful for the best user experience.