How to Animate CSS Gradients (4 Methods)

.animated-gradient {
  background: linear-gradient(
    -45deg,
    #ee7752,
    #e73c7e,
    #23a6d5,
    #23d5ab
  );
  background-size: 400% 400%;
  animation: gradient-shift 15s ease infinite;
}

@keyframes gradient-shift {
  0% {
    background-position: 0% 50%;
  }
  50% {
    background-position: 100% 50%;
  }
  100% {
    background-position: 0% 50%;
  }
}

.crossfade-gradient {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.crossfade-gradient::before,
.crossfade-gradient::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  transition: opacity 1s ease;
}

.crossfade-gradient::before {
  background: linear-gradient(
    135deg,
    #667eea 0%,
    #764ba2 100%
  );
  opacity: 1;
}

.crossfade-gradient::after {
  background: linear-gradient(
    135deg,
    #f093fb 0%,
    #f5576c 100%
  );
  opacity: 0;
}

.crossfade-gradient:hover::before {
  opacity: 0;
}

.crossfade-gradient:hover::after {
  opacity: 1;
}

@property --gradient-start {
  syntax: "<color>";
  initial-value: #ee7752;
  inherits: false;
}

@property --gradient-end {
  syntax: "<color>";
  initial-value: #e73c7e;
  inherits: false;
}

.houdini-gradient {
  background: linear-gradient(
    135deg,
    var(--gradient-start),
    var(--gradient-end)
  );
  animation: houdini-colors 4s ease infinite;
}

@keyframes houdini-colors {
  0%, 100% {
    --gradient-start: #ee7752;
    --gradient-end: #e73c7e;
  }
  33% {
    --gradient-start: #23a6d5;
    --gradient-end: #23d5ab;
  }
  66% {
    --gradient-start: #667eea;
    --gradient-end: #764ba2;
  }
}

.conic-gradient {
  background: conic-gradient(
    from 0deg,
    #ff0000,
    #ff8000,
    #ffff00,
    #80ff00,
    #00ff00,
    #00ff80,
    #00ffff,
    #0080ff,
    #0000ff,
    #8000ff,
    #ff00ff,
    #ff0080,
    #ff0000
  );
  animation: rotate-gradient 3s linear infinite;
  border-radius: 50%;
}

@keyframes rotate-gradient {
  from {
    transform: rotate(0deg);
  }
  to {
    transform: rotate(360deg);
  }
}

/* Alternative: Use a wrapper to keep content stable */
.conic-wrapper {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  border-radius: 12px;
}

.conic-wrapper::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: -50%;
  background: conic-gradient(
    from 0deg,
    #ff6b6b,
    #feca57,
    #48dbfb,
    #ff9ff3,
    #ff6b6b
  );
  animation: rotate-gradient 4s linear infinite;
}

.conic-wrapper > * {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
}