gsap-utils

gsap.utils

When to Use This Skill

Apply when writing or reviewing code that uses gsap.utils for math, array/collection handling, unit parsing, or value mapping in animations (e.g. mapping scroll to a value, randomizing, snapping to a grid, or normalizing inputs).

Related skills: Use with gsap-core, gsap-timeline, and gsap-scrolltrigger when building animations; CustomEase and other easing utilities are in gsap-plugins.

Overview

gsap.utils provides pure helpers; no need to register. Use in tween vars (e.g. function-based values), in ScrollTrigger or Observer callbacks, or in any JS that drives GSAP. All are on gsap.utils (e.g. gsap.utils.clamp()).

Omitting the value: function form. Many utils accept the value to transform as the last argument. If you omit that argument, the util returns a function that accepts the value later. Use the function form when you need to clamp, map, normalize, or snap many values with the same config (e.g. in a mousemove handler or tween callback). Exception: random() — pass true as the last argument to get a reusable function (do not omit the value); see random().

// With value: returns the result
gsap.utils.clamp(0, 100, 150); // 100

// Without value: returns a function you call with the value later
let c = gsap.utils.clamp(0, 100);
c(150); // 100
c(-10); // 0

Clamping and Ranges

clamp(min, max, value?)

Constrains a value between min and max. Omit value to get a function: clamp(min, max)(value).

gsap.utils.clamp(0, 100, 150); // 100
gsap.utils.clamp(0, 100, -10); // 0

let clampFn = gsap.utils.clamp(0, 100);
clampFn(150); // 100

mapRange(inMin, inMax, outMin, outMax, value?)

Maps a value from one range to another. Use when converting scroll position, progress (0–1), or input range to an animation range. Omit value to get a function: mapRange(inMin, inMax, outMin, outMax)(value).

gsap.utils.mapRange(0, 100, 0, 500, 50); // 250
gsap.utils.mapRange(0, 1, 0, 360, 0.5); // 180 (progress to degrees)

let mapFn = gsap.utils.mapRange(0, 100, 0, 500);
mapFn(50); // 250

normalize(min, max, value?)

Returns a value normalized to 0–1 for the given range. Inverse of mapping when the target range is 0–1. Omit value to get a function: normalize(min, max)(value).

gsap.utils.normalize(0, 100, 50); // 0.5
gsap.utils.normalize(100, 300, 200); // 0.5

let normFn = gsap.utils.normalize(0, 100);
normFn(50); // 0.5

interpolate(start, end, progress?)

Interpolates between two values at a given progress (0–1). Handles numbers, colors, and objects with matching keys. Omit progress to get a function: interpolate(start, end)(progress).

gsap.utils.interpolate(0, 100, 0.5); // 50
gsap.utils.interpolate("#ff0000", "#0000ff", 0.5); // mid color
gsap.utils.interpolate({ x: 0, y: 0 }, { x: 100, y: 50 }, 0.5); // { x: 50, y: 25 }

let lerp = gsap.utils.interpolate(0, 100);
lerp(0.5); // 50

Random and Snap

random(minimum, maximum[, snapIncrement, returnFunction]) / random(array[, returnFunction])

Returns a random number in the range minimum–maximum, or a random element from an array. Optional snapIncrement snaps the result to the nearest multiple (e.g. 5 → multiples of 5). To get a reusable function, pass true as the last argument (returnFunction); the returned function takes no args and returns a new random value each time. This is the only util that uses true for the function form instead of omitting the value.

// immediate value: number in range
gsap.utils.random(-100, 100); // e.g. 42.7
gsap.utils.random(0, 500, 5); // 0–500, snapped to nearest 5

// reusable function: pass true as last argument
let randomFn = gsap.utils.random(-200, 500, 10, true);
randomFn(); // random value in range, snapped to 10
randomFn(); // another random value

// array: pick one value at random
gsap.utils.random(["red", "blue", "green"]); // "red", "blue", or "green"
let randomFromArray = gsap.utils.random([0, 100, 200], true);
randomFromArray(); // 0, 100, or 200

String form in tween vars: use "random(-100, 100)", "random(-100, 100, 5)", or "random([0, 100, 200])"; GSAP evaluates it per target.

gsap.to(".box", { x: "random(-100, 100, 5)", duration: 1 });
gsap.to(".item", { backgroundColor: "random([red, blue, green])" });

snap(snapTo, value?)

Snaps a value to the nearest multiple of snapTo, or to the nearest value in an array of allowed values. Omit value to get a function: snap(snapTo)(value) (or snap(snapArray)(value)).

gsap.utils.snap(10, 23); // 20
gsap.utils.snap(0.25, 0.7); // 0.75
gsap.utils.snap([0, 100, 200], 150); // 100 or 200 (nearest in array)

let snapFn = gsap.utils.snap(10);
snapFn(23); // 20

Use in tweens for grid or step-based animation:

gsap.to(".x", { x: 200, snap: { x: 20 } });

shuffle(array)

Returns a new array with the same elements in random order. Use for randomizing order (e.g. stagger from "random" with a copy).

gsap.utils.shuffle([1, 2, 3, 4]); // e.g. [3, 1, 4, 2]

distribute(config)

Returns a function that assigns a value to each target based on its position in the array (or in a grid). Used internally for advanced staggers; use it whenever you need values spread across many elements (e.g. scale, opacity, x, delay). The returned function receives (index, target, targets) — either call it manually or pass the result directly into a tween; GSAP will call it per target with index, element, and array.

Config (all optional):

In a tween: pass the result of distribute(config) as the property value; GSAP calls the function for each target with (index, target, targets).

// Scale: middle elements 0.5, outer edges 3 (amount 2.5 distributed from center)
gsap.to(".class", {
  scale: gsap.utils.distribute({
    base: 0.5,
    amount: 2.5,
    from: "center",
  }),
});

Manual use: call the returned function with (index, target, targets) to get the value for that index.

const distributor = gsap.utils.distribute({
  base: 50,
  amount: 100,
  from: "center",
  ease: "power1.inOut",
});
const targets = gsap.utils.toArray(".box");
const valueForIndex2 = distributor(2, targets[2], targets);

See distribute() for more.

Units and Parsing

getUnit(value)

Returns the unit string of a value (e.g. "px", "%", "deg"). Use when normalizing or converting values.

gsap.utils.getUnit("100px"); // "px"
gsap.utils.getUnit("50%"); // "%"
gsap.utils.getUnit(42); // "" (unitless)

unitize(value, unit)

Appends a unit to a number, or returns the value as-is if it already has a unit. Use when building CSS values or tween end values.

gsap.utils.unitize(100, "px"); // "100px"
gsap.utils.unitize("2rem", "px"); // "2rem" (unchanged)

splitColor(color, returnHSL?)

Converts a color string into an array: [red, green, blue] (0–255), or [red, green, blue, alpha] (4 elements for RGBA when alpha is present or required). Pass true as the second argument (returnHSL) to get [hue, saturation, lightness] or [hue, saturation, lightness, alpha] (HSL/HSLA) instead. Works with "rgb()", "rgba()", "hsl()", "hsla()", hex, and named colors (e.g. "red"). Use when animating color components or building gradients. See splitColor().

gsap.utils.splitColor("red"); // [255, 0, 0]
gsap.utils.splitColor("#6fb936"); // [111, 185, 54]
gsap.utils.splitColor("rgba(204, 153, 51, 0.5)"); // [204, 153, 51, 0.5] (4 elements)
gsap.utils.splitColor("#6fb936", true); // [94, 55, 47] (HSL: hue, saturation, lightness)

Arrays and Collections

selector(scope)

Returns a scoped selector function that finds elements only

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