---
title: "Transition: flicker"
description: Content stutters on and off, within a safe flash rate, then stays.
---

Flicker switches content on and off in a seeded sequence like a failing light, and ends in the final state. Use it for neon signs, glitchy boot screens and arcade moments.

## Usage

The sample flickers a neon sign on and off.

```kotlin
import androidx.compose.foundation.background
import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.size
import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
import com.jantursky.kapow.KapowAnimatedVisibility
import com.jantursky.kapow.KapowEnter
import com.jantursky.kapow.KapowExit

@Composable
fun NeonSign(visible: Boolean) {
    KapowAnimatedVisibility(
        visible = visible,
        enter = KapowEnter.flicker(),
        exit = KapowExit.flicker(),
    ) {
        Box(Modifier.size(width = 180.dp, height = 110.dp).background(Color(0xFF3D7BFF)))
    }
}
```

## Parameters

| Parameter | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `duration` | `800.milliseconds` | How long the transition takes. Must be positive. |
| `steps` | `8` | The most on and off steps there are, from 2 to 30. |
| `seed` | `61` | The seed of the step lengths. The same seed and duration give the same sequence on every target. |
| `dim` | `0f` | How visible the content is in the off steps, from 0 (hidden) to 1. |

Every transition also has `.delay(...)`, `.easing(...)` and `.reducedMotion(...)`. See [Stagger](/effects/transition-stagger).


## Reduced motion

The transition becomes a fade over the same duration or shorter. Nothing flashes.

## Notes

- **Flashing content can harm people who are sensitive to it.** Flicker never flashes more than three times in any second, in line with the WCAG 2.3.1 general flash threshold: steps shorter than a sixth of a second are merged, so a short `duration` or a high `steps` gives fewer flashes. That is a rate cap on this transition, not a claim that your whole screen conforms. Use it sparingly, and see the [accessibility guide](/guides/accessibility).
- The last step is always the final state: on for an enter, off for an exit.
- A transition shorter than about a third of a second has no room for a flash and just switches.

## Live example

<iframe class="live-example" src="https://kapow-demo.vercel.app/#transition-flicker" title="Live example: transition-flicker" loading="lazy" allow="autoplay"></iframe>