Prefers reduced motion
Also called reduced motion, prefers-reduced-motion.
In plain English
A reduced-motion preference is a person's request for less animation. The CSS prefers-reduced-motion query lets a site detect that request and respond.
Example
With the setting on, a page still shows the same text and controls, and it skips a large sliding animation.
Why it matters
Someone turns the request on in their system settings. A site can read the media query and skip large decorative movement while keeping the page usable. The preference belongs to the person. The query is how the site hears it.
Common confusion
The setting is the person's preference. prefers-reduced-motion is the CSS query a site can use. Honoring it does not remove information, only extra motion.
Sources
Updated September 30, 2026.