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Stagger letter swap

Click to swap two screens of big type: every character slides up and out in a stagger, the background shifts colour, and the next text rises into place, with a soft cursor circle following the mouse.

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Element · Vanilla JS + CSS + Web Animations APIUpdated November 6, 2026

TextElementVanilla JS + CSS + Web Animations API

Live preview needs JavaScript. The code below works without any dependencies.

Prompt for your AI assistant

Paste this into Claude, Cursor or ChatGPT. The settings update as you move the controls above.

Build "Stagger letter swap" for my site using the Enrichr Library element at https://enrichr.dev/elements/stagger-letter-swap.html.

Read the machine-readable spec and source at https://enrichr.dev/elements/stagger-letter-swap.json (markup, CSS, JavaScript, parameters).
Requirements: vanilla JavaScript and CSS, no new dependencies; keep the behaviour of the source unchanged; respect prefers-reduced-motion; work on touch screens; keep it accessible.

Settings:
- accent: #e6ff55
- tint: #c6f26b
- stagger: 14
- duration: 500
- cursor: 56

Verify: reduced motion shows no movement, it works at 375px wide, there are no console errors, and scrolling stays smooth.

The same spec as JSON, for tools that read it directly: /elements/stagger-letter-swap.json.

Code

Mount it on an element that contains the markup. It returns an object with update(options) and destroy().

HTML

<div class="ef-slr">
  <div class="ef-slr__wrap">
    <div class="ef-slr__bar">
      <button type="button" class="ef-slr__home"><b>EF</b> <span>2026</span></button>
      <button type="button" class="ef-slr__tog" aria-pressed="false"><span class="ef-slr__tl is-on">About</span><span class="ef-slr__tl">Close</span></button>
    </div>
    <div class="ef-slr__body">
      <section class="ef-slr__panel ef-slr__panel--home is-current" aria-label="Home">
        <p class="ef-slr__p ef-slr__p--big" data-split>Build with</p>
        <p class="ef-slr__p ef-slr__p--big ef-slr__p--right" data-split>every piece</p>
      </section>
      <section class="ef-slr__panel ef-slr__panel--about" aria-label="About">
        <p class="ef-slr__p" data-split>Every letter is</p>
        <p class="ef-slr__p ef-slr__p--right" data-split>its own small piece</p>
        <p class="ef-slr__p" data-split>moving in order to</p>
        <p class="ef-slr__p" data-split>fit a bigger shape</p>
        <figure class="ef-slr__fig">
          <div class="ef-slr__art"></div>
          <figcaption class="ef-slr__cap">Each character slides on its own, in a stagger, and the next set rises into the gap it leaves behind.</figcaption>
        </figure>
      </section>
    </div>
    <svg class="ef-slr__cur" width="80" height="80" viewBox="0 0 80 80" aria-hidden="true"><circle cx="40" cy="40" r="20"></circle></svg>
  </div>
</div>

CSS

/* Enrichr Library · https://enrichr.dev */
/* Adapted from https://github.com/codrops/TypographyMotion (MIT) — Copyright (c) 2009 - 2020 [Codrops](https://tympanus.net/codrops) */
.ef-slr { width: 100%; }
.ef-slr__wrap { --ef-acc: #e6ff55; --ef-cur: 56px; position: relative; box-sizing: border-box; width: 100%; min-height: 26rem; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 1rem 1.3rem 1.3rem; display: flex; flex-direction: column; container-type: inline-size; background: #fbf8f1; color: #0c1e18; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, sans-serif; }
.ef-slr__bar { position: relative; z-index: 3; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; margin-bottom: 0.6rem; }
.ef-slr__home, .ef-slr__tog { padding: 0.35rem 0; border: 0; background: none; color: inherit; font: inherit; font-size: 0.85rem; cursor: pointer; }
.ef-slr__home b { font-weight: 800; }
.ef-slr__tog { font-weight: 800; }
.ef-slr__tl { display: none; }
.ef-slr__tl.is-on { display: inline-block; }
.ef-slr__home:focus-visible, .ef-slr__tog:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #0a6b46; outline-offset: 4px; border-radius: 2px; }
.ef-slr__body { position: relative; z-index: 1; flex: 1; display: grid; grid-template-columns: 100%; grid-template-areas: "x"; cursor: default; }
.ef-slr__panel { grid-area: x; display: flex; flex-direction: column; visibility: hidden; pointer-events: none; }
.ef-slr__panel.is-current { visibility: visible; pointer-events: auto; }
.ef-slr__panel--home { justify-content: center; }
.ef-slr__p { position: relative; flex: none; margin: 0; overflow: hidden; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: 400; font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 7.5cqw, 3rem); line-height: 1.12; letter-spacing: -0.02em; text-transform: uppercase; }
.ef-slr__p--big { font-size: clamp(2.2rem, 12cqw, 5.4rem); line-height: 1.02; }
.ef-slr__p--right { align-self: flex-end; }
.ef-slr__w { display: inline-block; white-space: nowrap; }
.ef-slr__c { display: inline-block; will-change: transform; }
.ef-slr__fig { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 1rem; margin: 1.1rem 0 0; }
.ef-slr__art { position: relative; flex: none; width: 6.5rem; height: 5.2rem; border-radius: 0.5rem; overflow: hidden; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; color: #e6ff55; background: linear-gradient(150deg, #0a6b46, #0c1e18); }
.ef-slr__art svg { width: 78%; height: 78%; display: block; }
.ef-slr__cap { margin: 0; font-size: 0.78rem; line-height: 1.45; max-width: 18rem; }
.ef-slr__cur { position: absolute; z-index: 2; left: 0; top: 0; width: var(--ef-cur); height: var(--ef-cur); pointer-events: none; opacity: 0; transition: opacity 400ms; will-change: transform; }
.ef-slr__cur circle { fill: var(--ef-acc); fill-opacity: 0.55; }
.ef-slr__cur.is-on { opacity: 1; }
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) { .ef-slr__cur { display: none; } }

JavaScript

// Enrichr Library · https://enrichr.dev
// Adapted from https://github.com/codrops/TypographyMotion (MIT) — Copyright (c) 2009 - 2020 [Codrops](https://tympanus.net/codrops)
// Stagger letter swap: every character of the current text slides up and out in a stagger, the background shifts colour, then the next text's
// characters rise into place from below and a picture settles in. A soft circle follows the mouse. Click About / Close (or the EF mark) to swap.
// Vanilla port: text is split into word and character spans here, the motion is the Web Animations API, the cursor is a small rAF lerp. No libraries.
// mount(root, { accent, tint (colour), stagger (ms), duration (ms), cursor (px) })
function mount(root, o) {
  var reduce = window.matchMedia("(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)").matches;
  var wrap = root.querySelector(".ef-slr__wrap");
  var home = root.querySelector(".ef-slr__home");
  var tog = root.querySelector(".ef-slr__tog");
  var tls = root.querySelectorAll(".ef-slr__tl");
  var panels = [root.querySelector(".ef-slr__panel--home"), root.querySelector(".ef-slr__panel--about")];
  var fig = root.querySelector(".ef-slr__fig");
  var art = root.querySelector(".ef-slr__art");
  var cur = root.querySelector(".ef-slr__cur");
  var BASE = "#fbf8f1";
  var opts = {}, offs = [], running = [], view = 0, animating = false, destroyed = false, raf = 0;
  var tx = 0, ty = 0, cx = 0, cy = 0, seen = false;
  var PIECE = { vb: "1423.36 860.8 503.07 322.3", d: "M1821 875.8v111.6c0 8 6.5 14.5 14.5 14.5 4.2 0 8.1-1.9 10.9-5 6.8-7.5 16.7-12.3 27.7-12.3 22 0 39.6 19 37.1 41.6-1.9 16.7-15.2 30.5-32 32.7-13 1.7-24.8-3.3-32.7-11.9-2.8-3.2-6.8-5-11-5-8 0-14.5 6.4-14.5 14.4v111.7h-111.6c-8 0-14.5-6.5-14.5-14.5 0-4.2 1.9-8.2 5-11 8.7-7.9 13.7-19.7 12-32.7-2.3-16.8-16-30.1-32.8-32-22.5-2.5-41.5 15.1-41.5 37.1 0 11 4.7 20.9 12.3 27.7 3.1 2.8 4.9 6.7 4.9 10.8v0.1c0 8-6.4 14.5-14.5 14.5h-111.6v-111.7c0-8-6.4-14.4-14.5-14.4-4.1 0-8 1.8-10.8 4.9-6.9 7.6-16.7 12.3-27.7 12.3-22 0-39.6-19-37.1-41.6 1.9-16.7 15.2-30.4 32-32.7 13-1.7 24.8 3.3 32.7 11.9 2.8 3.2 6.7 5.1 10.9 5.1 8.1 0 14.5-6.5 14.5-14.5v-111.6z" };
  art.innerHTML = '<svg viewBox="' + PIECE.vb + '" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path fill="currentColor" d="' + PIECE.d + '"/></svg>';

  function clamp(v, a, b) { return Math.max(a, Math.min(b, v)); }
  function lerp(a, b, t) { return a + (b - a) * t; }

  // Split each [data-split] paragraph into word spans holding character spans. Screen readers get the whole text from aria-label.
  Array.prototype.forEach.call(root.querySelectorAll("[data-split]"), function (p) {
    var text = p.textContent.trim().replace(/\s+/g, " ");
    p.textContent = "";
    p.setAttribute("aria-label", text);
    text.split(" ").forEach(function (word, wi) {
      if (wi) p.appendChild(document.createTextNode(" "));
      var w = document.createElement("span"); w.className = "ef-slr__w"; w.setAttribute("aria-hidden", "true");
      for (var i = 0; i < word.length; i++) { var c = document.createElement("span"); c.className = "ef-slr__c"; c.textContent = word.charAt(i); w.appendChild(c); }
      p.appendChild(w);
    });
  });
  function chars(panel) { return Array.prototype.slice.call(panel.querySelectorAll(".ef-slr__c")); }

  function an(el, kf, op) {
    var a = el.animate(kf, Object.assign({ fill: "both" }, op));
    running.push(a);
    return a;
  }
  function done(list) {
    return Promise.all(list.map(function (a) { return a.finished; })).then(function () {
      list.forEach(function (a) { a.cancel(); });
      return true;
    }, function () { return false; });
  }
  function cancelAll() { running.forEach(function (a) { try { a.cancel(); } catch (e) {} }); running = []; }

  function setView(n) {
    view = n;
    panels.forEach(function (p, i) {
      p.classList.toggle("is-current", i === n);
      if (i === n) p.removeAttribute("inert"); else p.setAttribute("inert", "");
      p.setAttribute("aria-hidden", i === n ? "false" : "true");
    });
    tog.setAttribute("aria-pressed", n === 1 ? "true" : "false");
    Array.prototype.forEach.call(tls, function (t, i) { t.classList.toggle("is-on", i === (n === 1 ? 1 : 0)); });
  }
  function target(n) { return n === 1 ? opts.tint : BASE; }

  function swap(to) {
    if (animating || to === view || destroyed) return;
    if (reduce) {
      setView(to);
      wrap.style.backgroundColor = target(to);
      an(panels[to], [{ opacity: 0 }, { opacity: 1 }], { duration: 160, easing: "ease-out" }).finished.then(function () { cancelAll(); }, function () {});
      return;
    }
    animating = true;
    var D = opts.duration, S = opts.stagger, from = view;
    var outC = chars(panels[from]), outs = [];
    outC.forEach(function (c, i) {
      outs.push(an(c, [{ transform: "translateY(0)", opacity: 1 }, { transform: "translateY(-100%)", opacity: 0 }], { duration: D, delay: i * S, easing: "cubic-bezier(.55,.06,.68,.19)" }));
    });
    if (from === 1) outs.push(an(fig, [{ opacity: 1, transform: "translateY(0)" }, { opacity: 0, transform: "translateY(20%)" }], { duration: D * 0.8, easing: "ease-in" }));
    var total = D + Math.max(0, outC.length - 1) * S;
    var goal = target(to);
    var bg = an(wrap, [{ backgroundColor: getComputedStyle(wrap).backgroundColor }, { backgroundColor: goal }], { duration: 800, delay: Math.max(0, total - D / 4), easing: "ease-in-out" });
    done(outs).then(function (ok) {
      if (!ok || destroyed) return;
      setView(to);
      var inn = [];
      chars(panels[to]).forEach(function (c, i) {
        inn.push(an(c, [{ transform: "translateY(100%)" }, { transform: "translateY(0)" }], { duration: D, delay: i * S, easing: "cubic-bezier(.215,.61,.355,1)" }));
      });
      if (to === 1) inn.push(an(fig, [{ opacity: 0, transform: "translateY(40%) rotate(-4deg)" }, { opacity: 1, transform: "translateY(0) rotate(0deg)" }], { duration: 800, delay: D * 1.2, easing: "cubic-bezier(.215,.61,.355,1)" }));
      inn.push(bg);
      done(inn).then(function (ok2) {
        if (!ok2 || destroyed) return;
        wrap.style.backgroundColor = target(view);
        animating = false;
      });
    });
  }

  function onTog() { swap(view === 1 ? 0 : 1); }
  function onHome() { swap(0); }
  function onMove(e) {
    if (reduce || e.pointerType === "touch") return;
    var r = wrap.getBoundingClientRect();
    tx = e.clientX - r.left - opts.cursor / 2; ty = e.clientY - r.top - opts.cursor / 2;
    if (!seen) { seen = true; cx = tx; cy = ty; }
    cur.classList.add("is-on");
    kick();
  }
  function onLeave() { cur.classList.remove("is-on"); }
  function kick() { if (!raf && !destroyed) raf = requestAnimationFrame(tick); }
  function tick() {
    raf = 0;
    cx = lerp(cx, tx, 0.18); cy = lerp(cy, ty, 0.18);
    cur.style.transform = "translate3d(" + cx.toFixed(1) + "px," + cy.toFixed(1) + "px,0)";
    if (Math.abs(tx - cx) > 0.1 || Math.abs(ty - cy) > 0.1) raf = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
  }

  function update(next) {
    opts = Object.assign({ accent: "#e6ff55", tint: "#c6f26b", stagger: 14, duration: 500, cursor: 56 }, opts, next || {});
    opts.stagger = clamp(+opts.stagger, 4, 60);
    opts.duration = clamp(+opts.duration, 200, 1200);
    opts.cursor = clamp(+opts.cursor, 24, 120);
    wrap.style.setProperty("--ef-acc", opts.accent);
    wrap.style.setProperty("--ef-cur", opts.cursor + "px");
    art.style.color = opts.accent;
    if (!animating) wrap.style.backgroundColor = target(view);
  }

  var wire = function (el, ev, fn) { el.addEventListener(ev, fn); offs.push(function () { el.removeEventListener(ev, fn); }); };
  wire(tog, "click", onTog);
  wire(home, "click", onHome);
  wire(wrap, "pointermove", onMove);
  wire(wrap, "pointerleave", onLeave);
  setView(0);
  update(o);
  return {
    update: update,
    destroy: function () {
      destroyed = true;
      if (raf) cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
      raf = 0;
      cancelAll();
      offs.forEach(function (f) { f(); });
      offs = [];
    }
  };
}

// Usage
var fx = mount(document.querySelector("#my-root"), {"accent":"#e6ff55","tint":"#c6f26b","stagger":14,"duration":500,"cursor":56});

How it works

This is a vanilla JS and CSS port of the Codrops Typography Motion idea, with no GSAP or SplitText. On mount the script splits each paragraph into word spans holding character spans and puts the full sentence on the paragraph as an aria-label. Each paragraph has overflow hidden, so a character moved up or down by 100 percent disappears at the line edge. A swap runs in three steps: the current characters animate out with the Web Animations API and a per-letter delay, the background colour animates toward the other screen's colour just before they finish, then the other screen's characters animate in from below with the same stagger and a picture rises in last. The cursor is a circle moved by a small lerp loop that stops when it catches up.

Accessibility and performance

The swap is a real toggle button with aria-pressed, and the EF mark is a button that returns to the first screen. The hidden screen is inert and aria-hidden, and every paragraph keeps its full text as an aria-label so the split letters are not read one by one. With reduced motion the letters do not move, the screens swap with a short fade and the cursor circle is removed.

Only transform and opacity animate on the letters, and the background colour animates once per swap. The cursor loop stops when idle. Each letter is its own element, so very long paragraphs will create many animations; keep the text to headlines and short passages.

SectionText
TechniquesText animation, Stagger, Reveal and intro, Pointer interaction
StackVanilla JS, CSS, Web Animations API
Works withReact, Next.js, Vanilla
DependenciesNone
Statustested
Inspired byTypography Motion Effect by Codrops on github.com. Original code, written from scratch.

Find this technique on a real site

Want to see this technique in the wild? Check any site with the free tools, then build your own version from this page.

Check which animation library a site uses · Extract a site's design tokens · Browse site breakdowns

Licence and provenance

Free to use in personal and client projects during the preview. Final licence terms will be published here before any paid tier starts; ask before reselling the code as a collection.

This is original code. The technique is a common one that we studied by measuring award-winning sites with Enrichr; no third-party code, shaders, fonts or images are used.

Distributed letters hoverA big headline whose letters scatter evenly across the stage on hover or button press, then spring back into the word. Image trail introAn intro where gradient tiles are emitted along the pointer, or along a looping path when idle, stack and fade, and then the headline slides in. Letter shuffle menuA menu whose items scramble through random characters and resolve letter by letter into the real label, on load and on hover or focus.

FAQ

Can I change the text?

Yes. Edit the paragraphs marked data-split in the markup. The script splits whatever text it finds.

Why does each paragraph clip its letters?

Overflow hidden on the paragraph is what makes the letters appear to rise out of a mask. Remove it and they will slide visibly across the page instead.

Does it need GSAP or SplitText?

No. The split is a few lines of DOM code and the motion is element.animate with delays computed from each letter's index.