CSS Animation Iteration Count Property

The CSS Animation Iteration Count Property is a crucial feature in CSS animations that allows developers to control how many times an animation should repeat. This property adds lifecycle dynamics to elements on a webpage, providing a lively user experience. In this article, we will explore the definition, syntax, values, examples, and other related properties of the animation iteration count property, tailored specifically for those new to web development.

Definition

The animation-iteration-count property specifies the number of times an animation should be played. This allows developers to define whether an animation should run only once, several times, or indefinitely. Careful use of this property can help create engaging animations that enhance the visual appeal of a website.

Syntax

The syntax for the animation-iteration-count property is straightforward and follows this structure:

selector {
    animation-iteration-count: ;
}

Here’s a breakdown of the syntax components:

• selector: This represents the HTML element you want to animate.
• value: This determines the number of times the animation should play.

Values

The animation-iteration-count property accepts various values:

Value	Description	Example
integer	Specifies the exact number of times the animation will play.	animation-iteration-count: 3;
infinite	Indefinitely repeats the animation until stopped.	animation-iteration-count: infinite;

Default Value

The default value for the animation-iteration-count property is 1. This means that if the property is not defined, the animation will run only once.

Animatable

The animation-iteration-count property itself is not animatable; it determines how many times an animation should occur rather than defining a transitional property. This means it sets a fixed or continuous number for how often the defined animation plays.

Examples

Here are practical examples of how to use the animation-iteration-count property in CSS.

Example 1: Single Iteration

This example demonstrates an animation that runs only once:

@keyframes exampleAnimation {
    from { transform: translateY(0); }
    to { transform: translateY(100px); }
}

.box {
    width: 100px;
    height: 100px;
    background-color: blue;
    animation-name: exampleAnimation;
    animation-duration: 2s;
    animation-iteration-count: 1; /* Runs once */
}

Example 2: Infinite Iteration

In this example, the animation will continue to loop indefinitely:

@keyframes exampleAnimation {
    from { background-color: blue; }
    to { background-color: red; }
}

.box {
    width: 100px;
    height: 100px;
    animation-name: exampleAnimation;
    animation-duration: 2s;
    animation-iteration-count: infinite; /* Runs indefinitely */
}

Example 3: Multiple Iterations

This example shows an animation that runs a specified number of times:

@keyframes exampleBounce {
    0%, 100% { transform: translateY(0); }
    50% { transform: translateY(-20px); }
}

.box {
    width: 100px;
    height: 100px;
    background-color: green;
    animation-name: exampleBounce;
    animation-duration: 1s;
    animation-iteration-count: 5; /* Runs five times */
}

Browser Compatibility

The animation-iteration-count property is widely supported across all modern browsers. Below is a simplified compatibility table:

Browser	Support
Chrome	89+
Firefox	16+
Safari	9+
Edge	16+
Internet Explorer	Not supported

Related Properties

Here are some related CSS properties you may find helpful:

• animation-name: Defines the specific animation to be applied.
• animation-duration: Specifies how long an animation takes to complete one cycle.
• animation-delay: Sets a delay before the animation starts.
• animation-timing-function: Defines the speed curve of the animation.
• animation-play-state: Controls whether the animation is running or paused.

FAQ

Q1: What happens if I set a negative value for animation-iteration-count?

A1: Negative values are not valid for the animation-iteration-count property. If you try to use one, the browser will ignore it, and the animation will default to one iteration.

Q2: Can I combine animation-iteration-count with other animation properties?

A2: Yes, you can combine animation-iteration-count with other animation properties to create complex animations with multiple aspects such as timing, duration, and delays.

Q3: Does the animation iterate immediately after finishing?

A3: If you set animation-iteration-count to a value greater than one, the animation will restart from the beginning immediately after each iteration.

Q4: Is it possible to pause an infinite animation?

A4: Yes, you can use the animation-play-state property to pause an infinite animation when desired.

Q5: How do I see my animations in older browsers?

A5: It is advisable to use CSS fallbacks or consider JavaScript alternatives for supporting older browsers that do not support CSS animations, such as Internet Explorer.