Lottieflow

How to integrate Lottieflow with Webflow

Lottie animations keep file sizes small while maintaining visual quality across devices and screen sizes. Lottieflow provides 200+ curated icon animations in JSON format that work directly with Webflow's native Lottie element.

Add Lottieflow animations through Webflow's built-in Lottie element for visual control over playback and timing. Teams managing animations programmatically can use Webflow's Assets API to upload files and the CMS API to store animation metadata.

Use native Webflow Lottie element

Webflow's Lottie element provides control over animation playback through visual settings. Download your Lottieflow JSON file from the Lottieflow library, upload it to the Assets panel, drag the Lottie animation element onto your canvas, and select your file. The Webflow Lottie documentation explains how to configure playback settings and connect animations to interactions.

This method handles most animation implementations. You get frame-by-frame control, loop settings, playback direction, and render mode selection through Webflow's interface. The Interactions panel connects animations to scroll position, clicks, page loads, or hover events.

Webflow supports both JSON and dotLottie formats. Upload JSON files directly to Assets or drag them into the Assets panel. For dotLottie files, upload through the Assets panel rather than drag-and-drop.

The native element handles animation implementation details:

• Playback duration control through visual timeline settings in the element panel
• Loop configuration with enable/disable options and infinite repeat settings
• Reverse playback for bidirectional animation sequences
• Render mode selection between SVG and Canvas for performance optimization
• Interaction triggers including scroll into view, click events, and page load timing

Build with Webflow Assets and CMS APIs

For teams managing animations programmatically or building custom asset workflows, Webflow's REST API handles file uploads and content management. The Assets API accepts Lottie JSON files and generates hosting URLs. The CMS API stores animation metadata like loop counts, playback speeds, or category tags.

This approach works when you're automating asset delivery, syncing animations across multiple sites, or building custom content management workflows. The Webflow API documentation covers authentication and endpoint specifications.

Upload animation files programmatically

The List Assets API endpoint POST /sites/{site_id}/assets accepts Lottie files and returns hosting URLs. You need site token authentication, the file's MD5 hash, size in bytes, and MIME type (application/json for Lottie files). Webflow generates S3 upload URLs and serves files through its CDN.

This workflow handles design-to-development pipelines or animation asset management through external systems. Upload new animations automatically when your design team exports them, or sync files across multiple Webflow projects.

The upload process requires two steps. First, create the asset metadata through the API. Second, upload the file to the generated S3 URL before the asset becomes accessible.

Implementation requirements include:

• Site token authentication through the Authorization: Bearer {site_token} header
• File metadata including MD5 hash, file size, and application/json MIME type
• Two-step upload workflow to the generated S3 URL
• Asset URL reference for connecting uploaded files to Lottie elements

Manage animation metadata in CMS

The CMS API stores animation configuration and metadata in collections. Create collection items with fields for animation URLs, playback settings, category tags, or usage notes. Use GET /sites/{site_id}/collections to list collections and POST /collections/{collection_id}/items to create items.

This pattern helps teams managing large animation libraries or building content systems where editors select animations through the CMS interface. Store animation files in Assets, reference them in CMS items, and use Webflow's dynamic binding to connect collections to Lottie elements.

Since Webflow's Lottie element doesn't directly accept CMS URL fields, use a Code Embed element with JavaScript to load animations from CMS URLs.

Metadata management patterns include:

• Animation libraries with category fields, usage tags, and preview images
• Playback configuration storing loop counts, speeds, and interaction trigger preferences
• Version control tracking animation updates and deployment history
• Usage tracking recording which pages or components reference specific animations

Respond to asset changes with webhooks

Webflow's webhook system sends real-time notifications when assets or CMS items change. Create webhooks with POST /sites/{site_id}/webhooks or through Project Settings and listen for site_publish, collection_item_created, or collection_item_updated events. Webhooks include HMAC signatures in the x-webflow-signature header for security validation.

Use webhooks to trigger processes when animation assets update. Regenerate preview images, update documentation systems, or notify team members when new animations deploy.

Webhook implementation requires server infrastructure to receive and process webhook events. Validate HMAC signatures to confirm webhook authenticity before processing events.

Webhook use cases include:

• Asset pipeline automation regenerating optimized versions when source files change
• Documentation updates syncing animation libraries with design system documentation
• Approval workflows notifying stakeholders when new animations publish
• Cache invalidation clearing CDN caches after animation updates

What you can build

Integrating Lottieflow with Webflow enables interactive experiences through lightweight, customizable animations that respond to user actions and page events.

• Interactive onboarding flows: Build step-by-step product tours with animations that progress as users complete actions, using scroll-driven interactions to guide users through features and content
• Loading state systems: Create branded loading animations for form submissions, page transitions, or async content loading that maintain visual consistency while keeping file sizes under 3KB
• Scroll-triggered storytelling: Implement animations that activate at specific scroll positions to illustrate complex processes or enhance narrative experiences through timed visual sequences
• Dynamic navigation elements: Build animated menu transitions, hover states, and micro-interactions that guide user attention through motion design and interactive feedback