How to Add Text Flicker Animation with HTML and CSS

Introduction

A flicker animation effect in CSS mimics the appearance of an old or malfunctioning neon light, adding a dramatic, eye-catching style to text. This effect can be achieved using @keyframes for the flickering behavior combined with the opacity property.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create a text flicker animation using HTML and CSS.

Problem Statement

Create a CSS code that:

  • Applies a flicker animation effect to text using @keyframes and the opacity property.
  • Demonstrates how to control the flicker speed and intensity.

Example:

  • Input: A heading element with the text "Flicker Animation Effect".
  • Output: The text appears to flicker, mimicking a faulty neon light.

Solution Steps

  1. Use @keyframes to Define Flicker Animation: Create a keyframe animation to simulate flickering by adjusting the text's opacity.
  2. Apply the Flicker Effect to Text: Use the animation property to control the flickering duration, timing, and repetition.

HTML Structure

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>Text Flicker Animation</title>
    <style>
        /* Step 1: Define flicker animation */
        @keyframes flicker {
            0%, 18%, 22%, 25%, 53%, 57%, 100% {
                opacity: 1; /* Full opacity */
            }
            20%, 24%, 55% {
                opacity: 0; /* Invisible (flicker) */
            }
        }

        /* Step 2: Apply flicker effect to text */
        .flicker-text {
            font-size: 4rem;
            color: #00ffcc;
            text-shadow: 
                0 0 10px #00ffcc, 
                0 0 20px #00ffcc, 
                0 0 30px #00ffcc, 
                0 0 40px #00ffff, 
                0 0 50px #00ffff, 
                0 0 60px #00ffff;
            animation: flicker 2s infinite; /* Infinite flicker animation */
            font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
            text-align: center;
            margin-top: 100px;
        }

        /* Center the container */
        .container {
            text-align: center;
            background-color: black;
            padding: 50px;
        }
    </style>
</head>
<body>

    <div class="container">
        <h1 class="flicker-text">Flicker Animation Effect</h1>
    </div>

</body>
</html>

Output

You can play with the above HTML in Online HTML Editor and Compiler. Here is the output of the above HTML page.:

Explanation

Step 1: Define @keyframes Flicker Animation

  • The @keyframes flicker defines the animation's behavior at different points in time. The opacity changes between 1 (fully visible) and 0 (invisible), creating the flicker effect:
    @keyframes flicker {
        0%, 18%, 22%, 25%, 53%, 57%, 100% {
            opacity: 1;
        }
        20%, 24%, 55% {
            opacity: 0;
        }
    }
    

Step 2: Apply the Flicker Animation to Text

  • To apply the flicker effect, use the animation property, which defines the timing and repetition of the animation:

    .flicker-text {
        animation: flicker 2s infinite;
    }
    
  • The 2s specifies that the animation will last for 2 seconds, and infinite ensures it repeats indefinitely.

Step 3: Style the Glowing Text

  • The text-shadow property is used to give the text a neon-like glow, enhancing the flicker effect:
    text-shadow: 
        0 0 10px #00ffcc, 
        0 0 20px #00ffcc, 
        0 0 30px #00ffcc, 
        0 0 40px #00ffff, 
        0 0 50px #00ffff, 
        0 0 60px #00ffff;
    

Conclusion

Creating a text flicker animation in CSS is easy using @keyframes and the opacity property. By adjusting the opacity over time and applying a glowing text effect with text-shadow, you can create an engaging flicker effect that simulates a neon light. This technique can add dynamic visuals to your web design.

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