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Why isn't my CSS transition applying smoothly when I change the background color on hover?

Asked on Dec 21, 2025

Answer

CSS transitions can sometimes appear choppy if not properly configured. To ensure a smooth transition when changing the background color on hover, you need to specify the transition property correctly.

<!-- BEGIN COPY / PASTE -->
    <style>
      .smooth-transition {
        background-color: blue;
        transition: background-color 0.5s ease;
      }
      
      .smooth-transition:hover {
        background-color: red;
      }
    </style>

    <div class="smooth-transition">
      Hover over me!
    </div>
    <!-- END COPY / PASTE -->

Additional Comment:

Ensure the transition property is applied to the element you want to animate, specifying the property to transition (e.g., "background-color").
Define a duration (e.g., "0.5s") to control how long the transition takes.
Use timing functions like "ease" for a smooth effect.
Check for any conflicting CSS rules that might override the transition.

✅ Answered with CSS best practices.

Ask any question about CSS here... and get an instant response.

Why isn't my CSS transition applying smoothly when I change the background color on hover?

Asked on Dec 21, 2025

Answer

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