59 Spring vs Ease. 59 of 95.
59/MOTION/59 of 95
Spring vs Ease
Physics feels alive; fixed curves feel scripted.
The problem
A fixed-duration easing curve ignores how far something has to travel, so short and long moves feel oddly uniform.
The solution
A spring responds to distance and carries velocity naturally.
Experiment
Play with the values
220
20
400ms
How it works
- Both motions have a target position; they differ in how they approach it.
- An ease follows a fixed-duration curve, so it always takes the same time regardless of distance or velocity.
- A spring's force comes from the remaining distance, so a farther target pulls harder.
- The spring also carries velocity, so an interruption continues instead of restarting the curve.
- It settles at rest when the force and velocity both die out, which can include a little overshoot.
Seen in
Drag release
Springs continue the motion you gave an element instead of snapping to a curve.
Toggles & switches
Spring physics give controls a tactile, responsive feel.
Sheets & drawers
Panels settle naturally based on how they were moved.
Micro-interactions
Small springy responses make buttons feel physical.