To make a Framer site load faster, start with the things Framer does not do for you: compress uploaded videos or move them to YouTube or Vimeo, remove third-party embeds and scripts you do not need, load scripts with defer, keep shadows and blurs light, and use Appear effects rather than scroll animations at the top of the page. Framer already converts and resizes images and optimises font loading, so upload images as they are with resolution set to Auto. Then test with PageSpeed Insights on a phone connection, and test again after every big change.
A slow site loses visitors before they see anything. It also tends to use more bandwidth, which on Framer counts against your plan's monthly allowance. For bandwidth specifically, see Framer bandwidth limits explained.
What does Framer optimise automatically?
According to Framer's site optimisation guide, updated 15 September 2026:
| Area | What Framer does | What you should do |
|---|
| Images | Converts to WebP and resizes | Upload as they are, set resolution to Auto; put SVGs inside a frame |
| Fonts | Optimises loading; Google Fonts load only needed characters | Prefer Google Fonts; use weights Light to Extra Bold; re-upload custom fonts added before November 2023 |
| Uploaded video | Lazy-loads videos with posters; pauses muted loops out of view | Compress before upload; Framer does not compress video |
| Embeds | Lazy-loads them | Remove any you do not need |
How do you fix slow video?
Video is the most common cause of a slow template site. Framer's video guidance says uploaded videos are served unaltered, so a 4K file plays at full size even on a phone. To fix:
- Use YouTube or Vimeo components for longer films; they adjust quality to the connection.
- Compress short loops before uploading, for example with HandBrake's web-optimised settings.
- Keep looping videos under 5 MB; Framer notes most browsers cache only 5 to 8 MB of media.
- Use H.264 in an .mp4 file for wide browser support.
- Give every video a poster image, which enables lazy loading.
- Avoid autoplay with sound.
See how to add video to a Framer site.
How do embeds and scripts slow a site?
Booking widgets, review widgets, chat bubbles, HubSpot forms, 3D scenes and analytics tags all add code. Framer's guide suggests testing on a duplicate site with an embed removed to see the difference. For scripts in custom code:
- Load a script only on the pages that need it, using page-level custom code.
- Put scripts at the end of the body, or add defer.
- Use async only if the script must load as early as possible.
If a template's demo includes an embed you do not use, delete it.
Which effects cost the most?
Framer recommends using Appear effects, which load before JavaScript, for key elements near the top of the page, and avoiding scroll animations there. Shadows and blurs can slow scrolling and animation even if they do not affect loading; Framer suggests keeping blur values below 10. Templates with heavy motion are a design choice, so test them on an older phone before you publish.
How do you check your site is optimised?
- In Framer, open Site Settings, then Versions, and check the latest version is marked Optimized.
- Run your live URL through PageSpeed Insights on mobile.
- Look at Largest Contentful Paint (how quickly the main content appears) and Interaction to Next Paint (how quickly the page responds).
- After a few weeks of traffic, check the Core Web Vitals report in Google Search Console. See Google Search Console for a Framer site.
Scores vary between tests, so compare several runs rather than one.
Does site speed affect SEO?
Google's page experience guidance says Core Web Vitals are used by its ranking systems, alongside many other signals, and that good page experience is one part of helpful content. A fast site will not rank on speed alone, but a slow one frustrates visitors. Treat speed as a usability fix first.
What should you fix first?
If you only have an hour, work in this order:
- Replace or compress the largest video on the home page.
- Remove embeds and scripts you do not use.
- Delete home page sections you do not need.
- Reduce fonts to two families and the weights you actually use.
- Turn down or remove scroll effects on the first screen.
Re-test after each change so you know which one made the difference. Keep a duplicate of the site before you start, so you can compare and roll back.
What else slows template sites?
- Very long home pages with every section the demo included
- Large background images behind text
- Many font families and weights
- Image galleries of full-resolution photos with resolution set to the maximum
- Several analytics or tracking tools doing the same job
Remove sections you do not need; a shorter page loads faster and is easier to read. See one-page small business websites and the Framer template launch checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is Framer fast?
Framer applies image, font and loading optimisations automatically, but uploaded videos, embeds, custom scripts and heavy effects can still slow a site. Test your own pages.
Does Framer compress images?
Yes. Framer converts images to WebP and resizes them. Upload them as they are and set resolution to Auto.
Does Framer compress videos?
No. Uploaded videos are served as they are. Compress them first or use YouTube or Vimeo components.
How do I check my Framer site speed?
Check that the latest version is marked Optimized in Site Settings, then test the live URL in PageSpeed Insights on mobile.
Do animations slow down a Framer site?
Scroll animations near the top of the page, heavy shadows and large blurs can. Framer recommends Appear effects at the top and blur values below 10.