Behavior comparison
Reduced motion and fallback vs State transition
Decisive difference
Reduced motion and fallback addresses the same result without movement; State transition addresses persistent state feedback. They can be combined when both needs apply.
Choice criteria, links and sources
- Reduced motion and fallbackChoose Reduced motion and fallback if you need the same result without movement.Open entry Reduced motion and fallback
- State transitionChoose State transition if you need persistent state feedback.Open entry State transition
See the nine dimensionsSee the sources
Motion & Effects
Try it
Does motion explain a change, report state, or only decorate?
Reduced motion and fallback
Shared trial context
An item moves, changes state or waits for content. Which information must survive without motion?
Reduced motion and fallback
Static preview: state and result remain readable without motion. Activate the demo to compare the parameter, pause and try the fallback.
Force the static fallback, then play the action. The destination and status remain identical. The system preference always wins, including when it changes during playback.
State transition
Static preview: state and result remain readable without motion. Activate the demo to compare the parameter, pause and try the fallback.
Compare an instant update with a 200 ms fade. Saved appears immediately in both cases; only the decorative check fades.
What this example shows
Pause freezes a running animation; reduced motion replaces it with a static result. A fallback also covers missing browser APIs and failed loading.
Which fits your need?
Reduced motion and fallback
Provide a static result for every essential action, respecting system settings and an explicit local opt-out.
State transition
Confirm a completed local action with persistent text and an optional short fade.
Difference and sources
Pause freezes a running animation; reduced motion replaces it with a static result. A fallback also covers missing browser APIs and failed loading.
Read the sourcesParts of the specimen
Select a numbered marker on the schematic, or use the list below, to see its role. The schematic shows the concept's representative state.
Trigger
The control that opens or reveals the surface.
Decision
Family question
Does motion explain a change, report state, or only decorate?
Three criteria to choose
- Use case
Reduced motion and fallback
Provide a static result for every essential action, respecting system settings and an explicit local opt-out.
State transition
Confirm a completed local action with persistent text and an optional short fade.
- Interactivity
Reduced motion and fallback
Adjust one parameter for the same result without movement; pause or use a static result.
State transition
Adjust one parameter for persistent state feedback; pause or use a static result.
- Mobile behavior
Reduced motion and fallback
Native touch controls; system motion reduction always wins.
State transition
Native touch controls; system motion reduction always wins.
Nine dimensions
- Trigger
Reduced motion and fallback
Explicit activation to demonstrate the same result without movement.
State transition
Explicit activation to demonstrate persistent state feedback.
- Modality
Reduced motion and fallback
Non-modal; surrounding content stays usable.
State transition
Non-modal; surrounding content stays usable.
- Placement
Reduced motion and fallback
Inside a bounded specimen; no page-level decoration.
State transition
Inside a bounded specimen; no page-level decoration.
- Interactivity
Reduced motion and fallback
Adjust one parameter for the same result without movement; pause or use a static result.
State transition
Adjust one parameter for persistent state feedback; pause or use a static result.
- Focus
Reduced motion and fallback
Focus stays on the activated control. Reset restores focus to its button.
State transition
Focus stays on the activated control. Reset restores focus to its button.
- Dismissal
Reduced motion and fallback
Pause freezes playback; static fallback cancels it. Leaving the specimen cancels its animation and removes listeners.
State transition
Pause freezes playback; static fallback cancels it. Leaving the specimen cancels its animation and removes listeners.
- Accessible role
Reduced motion and fallback
button + checkbox + status
State transition
button + select + checkbox + status
- Use case
Reduced motion and fallback
Provide a static result for every essential action, respecting system settings and an explicit local opt-out.
State transition
Confirm a completed local action with persistent text and an optional short fade.
- Mobile behavior
Reduced motion and fallback
Native touch controls; system motion reduction always wins.
State transition
Native touch controls; system motion reduction always wins.
| Dimension | Reduced motion and fallbackReduced motion and fallback | State transitionState transition |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Explicit activation to demonstrate the same result without movement. | Explicit activation to demonstrate persistent state feedback. |
| Modality | Non-modal; surrounding content stays usable. | Non-modal; surrounding content stays usable. |
| Placement | Inside a bounded specimen; no page-level decoration. | Inside a bounded specimen; no page-level decoration. |
| Interactivity | Adjust one parameter for the same result without movement; pause or use a static result. | Adjust one parameter for persistent state feedback; pause or use a static result. |
| Focus | Focus stays on the activated control. Reset restores focus to its button. | Focus stays on the activated control. Reset restores focus to its button. |
| Dismissal | Pause freezes playback; static fallback cancels it. Leaving the specimen cancels its animation and removes listeners. | Pause freezes playback; static fallback cancels it. Leaving the specimen cancels its animation and removes listeners. |
| Accessible role | button + checkbox + status | button + select + checkbox + status |
| Use case | Provide a static result for every essential action, respecting system settings and an explicit local opt-out. | Confirm a completed local action with persistent text and an optional short fade. |
| Mobile behavior | Native touch controls; system motion reduction always wins. | Native touch controls; system motion reduction always wins. |