Lightbox Setup [Resource]

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Webflow

Code

Setup: External Scripts

HTML

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<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/gsap@3.12.7/dist/gsap.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/gsap@3.12.7/dist/Flip.min.js"></script>

Step 1: Copy structure to Webflow

Copy to Webflow

Webflow structure is not required for this resource.

Step 1: Add HTML

HTML

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<div data-gallery="" class="gallery-group">
  <div role="list" class="gallery-grid">
    <div data-lightbox="trigger-parent" role="listitem" class="gallery-grid__item"><button data-lightbox="trigger" class="gallery-item__button"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add146391123833e91d869_image-2.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="gallery-item__img"></button></div>
    <div data-lightbox="trigger-parent" role="listitem" class="gallery-grid__item"><button data-lightbox="trigger" class="gallery-item__button"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add146d05ce012e9b59eb3_image-9.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="gallery-item__img"></button></div>
    <div data-lightbox="trigger-parent" role="listitem" class="gallery-grid__item"><button data-lightbox="trigger" class="gallery-item__button"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add14685ff33bc9a1bca6f_image-3.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="gallery-item__img"></button></div>
    <div data-lightbox="trigger-parent" role="listitem" class="gallery-grid__item"><button data-lightbox="trigger" class="gallery-item__button"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add1469f78a3b9edcab7d6_image-10.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="gallery-item__img"></button></div>
    <div data-lightbox="trigger-parent" role="listitem" class="gallery-grid__item"><button data-lightbox="trigger" class="gallery-item__button"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add14675fda0c86dd933fd_image-4.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="gallery-item__img"></button></div>
    <div data-lightbox="trigger-parent" role="listitem" class="gallery-grid__item"><button data-lightbox="trigger" class="gallery-item__button"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add1464b2c93225d824618_image-7.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="gallery-item__img"></button></div>
    <div data-lightbox="trigger-parent" role="listitem" class="gallery-grid__item"><button data-lightbox="trigger" class="gallery-item__button"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add146a4e4e7d3b06da7e8_image-8.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="gallery-item__img"></button></div>
    <div data-lightbox="trigger-parent" role="listitem" class="gallery-grid__item"><button data-lightbox="trigger" class="gallery-item__button"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add1467403f8fe57d124fb_image-6.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="gallery-item__img"></button></div>
    <div data-lightbox="trigger-parent" role="listitem" class="gallery-grid__item"><button data-lightbox="trigger" class="gallery-item__button"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add146018bbc6fb21e8856_image-5.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="gallery-item__img"></button></div>
  </div>
  <div aria-modal="true" data-lightbox="wrapper" role="dialog" class="lightbox-wrap">
    <div class="lightbox-img__wrap">
      <div class="lightbox-img__list">
        <div data-lightbox="item" class="lightbox-img__item"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add146391123833e91d869_image-2.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="lightbox-img"></div>
        <div data-lightbox="item" class="lightbox-img__item"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add146d05ce012e9b59eb3_image-9.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="lightbox-img"></div>
        <div data-lightbox="item" class="lightbox-img__item"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add14685ff33bc9a1bca6f_image-3.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="lightbox-img"></div>
        <div data-lightbox="item" class="lightbox-img__item"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add1469f78a3b9edcab7d6_image-10.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="lightbox-img"></div>
        <div data-lightbox="item" class="lightbox-img__item"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add14675fda0c86dd933fd_image-4.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="lightbox-img"></div>
        <div data-lightbox="item" class="lightbox-img__item"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add1464b2c93225d824618_image-7.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="lightbox-img"></div>
        <div data-lightbox="item" class="lightbox-img__item"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add146a4e4e7d3b06da7e8_image-8.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="lightbox-img"></div>
        <div data-lightbox="item" class="lightbox-img__item"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add1467403f8fe57d124fb_image-6.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="lightbox-img"></div>
        <div data-lightbox="item" class="lightbox-img__item"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67adb90c0e4e191daea5f4ed/67add146018bbc6fb21e8856_image-5.avif" loading="lazy" alt="" class="lightbox-img"></div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="lightbox-nav">
      <div data-lightbox="nav" class="lightbox-nav__col start">
        <p class="lightbox-nav__text"><span data-lightbox="counter-current">9</span> / <span data-lightbox="counter-total">9</span></p>
      </div>
      <div data-lightbox="nav" class="lightbox-nav__col center">
        <button data-lightbox="prev" class="lightbox-nav__button">
          <div class="lightbox-nav__dot"></div>
          <span class="lightbox-nav__text">prev</span>
        </button>
        <button data-lightbox="next" class="lightbox-nav__button">
          <span class="lightbox-nav__text">next</span>
          <div class="lightbox-nav__dot"></div>
        </button>
      </div>
      <div data-lightbox="nav" class="lightbox-nav__col end"><button data-lightbox="close" class="lightbox-nav__button"><span class="lightbox-nav__text">close</span></button></div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

HTML structure is not required for this resource.

Step 2: Add CSS

CSS

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.gallery-grid {
  grid-column-gap: 1.25em;
  grid-row-gap: 4em;
  flex-flow: wrap;
  justify-content: flex-start;
  align-items: flex-start;
  width: 100%;
  padding-bottom: 8em;
  display: flex;
}

.gallery-grid__item {
  width: calc(33.3333% - .833333em);
}

.gallery-item__button {
  outline-offset: -1px;
  background-color: #0000;
  border: 1px #000;
  border-radius: .375em;
  outline: 1px #131313;
  width: 100%;
  padding: 0;
}

.gallery-item__button:focus-visible {
  outline-offset: 3px;
  border-radius: .25em;
  outline: 1px solid #131313;
}

.gallery-item__img {
  border-radius: .375em;
  width: 100%;
}

.lightbox-wrap {
  z-index: 100;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100dvh;
  display: none;
  position: fixed;
  inset: 0% 0% auto;
}

.lightbox-wrap.is-active {
  display: flex;
}

.lightbox-img__wrap {
  width: 90vw;
  height: calc(100svh - 10em);
}

.lightbox-img__container {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
}

.lightbox-img__list {
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  display: flex;
  position: relative;
}

.lightbox-img__item {
  visibility: hidden;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  display: flex;
  position: absolute;
}

.lightbox-img__item.is-active {
  visibility: visible;
}

.lightbox-img {
  object-fit: contain;
  border-radius: .375em;
  min-width: auto;
  max-height: 100%;
}

.lightbox-img__item img { 
  object-fit: contain !important;
  min-width: auto;
  width: auto;
  max-height: 100%;
}

.lightbox-nav {
  z-index: 2;
  color: #fff;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  display: flex;
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 2em;
  left: 2em;
  right: 2em;
}

.lightbox-nav__col {
  width: 33.333%;
}

.lightbox-nav__col.start {
  justify-content: flex-start;
  align-items: center;
  display: flex;
}

.lightbox-nav__col.center {
  grid-column-gap: 2em;
  grid-row-gap: 2em;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  display: flex;
}

.lightbox-nav__col.end {
  justify-content: flex-end;
  align-items: center;
  display: flex;
}

.lightbox-nav__text {
  margin-bottom: 0;
  font-size: 1em;
}

.lightbox-nav__button {
  grid-column-gap: .5em;
  grid-row-gap: .5em;
  background-color: #0000;
  justify-content: flex-start;
  align-items: center;
  margin: -1em;
  padding: 1em;
  display: flex;
}

.lightbox-nav__dot {
  background-color: currentColor;
  border-radius: 10em;
  width: .375em;
  height: .375em;
  margin-bottom: -.1em;
  transition-property: transform;
  transition-duration: .45s;
  transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(.625, .05, 0, 1);
}

@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {
  .gallery-grid {
    grid-column-gap: 1em;
  }

  .gallery-grid__item {
    width: calc(50% - .5em);
  }
}

@media screen and (max-width: 479px) {
  .gallery-grid {
    grid-column-gap: .75em;
    grid-row-gap: 3em;
  }

  .gallery-grid__item {
    width: calc(50% - .375em);
  }
}

Step 2: Add custom Javascript

Step 2: Add Javascript

Step 3: Add Javascript

Javascript

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gsap.registerPlugin(Flip)

gsap.defaults({
  ease: "power4.inOut",
  duration: 0.8,
});


function createLightbox(container, {
  onStart,
  onOpen,
  onClose,
  onCloseComplete
} = {}) {
  
    const elements = {
      wrapper: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="wrapper"]'),
      triggers: container.querySelectorAll('[data-lightbox="trigger"]'),
      triggerParents: container.querySelectorAll('[data-lightbox="trigger-parent"]'),
      items: container.querySelectorAll('[data-lightbox="item"]'),
      nav: container.querySelectorAll('[data-lightbox="nav"]'),
      counter: {
        current: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="counter-current"]'),
        total: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="counter-total"]')
      },
      buttons: {
        prev: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="prev"]'),
        next: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="next"]'),
        close: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="close"]')
      }
    };

    // Create our main timeline that will coordinate all animations
    const mainTimeline = gsap.timeline();


    // ————————— COUNTER ————————— //
    if (elements.counter.total) {
      elements.counter.total.textContent = elements.triggers.length;
    }
    
    
    // ————————— CLOSE FUNCTION ————————— //
    function closeLightbox() {
      // on close callback
      onClose?.();
      
      // First, we clear any running animations to prevent conflicts
      mainTimeline.clear();
      gsap.killTweensOf([
        elements.wrapper, 
        elements.nav, 
        elements.triggerParents, 
        elements.items,
        container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="original"]')
      ]);
      
      const tl = gsap.timeline({
        defaults: { ease: "power2.inOut" },
        onComplete: () => {
          elements.wrapper.classList.remove('is-active');
          
          // Show all hidden images in lightbox items
          elements.items.forEach(item => {
            item.classList.remove('is-active');
            const lightboxImage = item.querySelector('img');
            if (lightboxImage) {
              lightboxImage.style.display = '';
            }
          });
          
          // Clear any lingering transform properties on the original image
          const originalImg = container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="original"]');
          if (originalImg) { gsap.set(originalImg, { clearProps: "all" });}
          
          // Remove the fixed height from the trigger parent
          const originalParent = container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="original-parent"]');
          if (originalParent) { originalParent.parentElement.style.removeProperty('height'); }
          
          // on close complete callback
          onCloseComplete?.();
        }
      });
  
      // First, find and move back the original item
      const originalItem = container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="original"]');
      const originalParent = container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="original-parent"]');
      
      if (originalItem && originalParent) {
        // Before moving the item back, clear its transforms
        gsap.set(originalItem, { clearProps: "all" });
        // Move the item back to its original parent
        originalParent.appendChild(originalItem);
        originalParent.removeAttribute('data-lightbox');
        originalItem.removeAttribute('data-lightbox');
      }
      
      // Find active slide
      let activeLightboxSlide = container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="item"].is-active')

      // Return animation
      tl.to(elements.triggerParents, {
        autoAlpha: 1,
        duration: 0.5,
        stagger: 0.03,
        overwrite: true
      })
      .to(elements.nav, {
        autoAlpha: 0,
        y: "1rem",
        duration: 0.4,
        stagger: 0
      },"<")
      .to(elements.wrapper, {
        backgroundColor: "rgba(0,0,0,0)",
        duration: 0.4
      }, "<")
      .to(activeLightboxSlide,{
        autoAlpha:0,
        duration: 0.4,
      },"<")
      .set([elements.items, activeLightboxSlide, elements.triggerParents],  { clearProps: "all" })
    
      // Add this timeline to our main timeline
      mainTimeline.add(tl);
      
    }


    // ————————— CLICK-OUTSIDE FUNCTIONALITY ————————— //
    function handleOutsideClick(event) {
      if (event.detail === 0) {
        return;
      }
    
      const clickedElement = event.target;
      const isOutside = !clickedElement.closest('[data-lightbox="item"].is-active img, [data-lightbox="nav"], [data-lightbox="close"], [data-lightbox="trigger"]');
        
      if (isOutside) {
        closeLightbox();
      }
    }


    // ————————— TOGGLE ACTIVE ITEM IN LIGHTBOX ————————— //
    function updateActiveItem(index) {
      elements.items.forEach(item => item.classList.remove('is-active'));
      elements.items[index].classList.add('is-active');
        
      if (elements.counter.current) {
        elements.counter.current.textContent = index + 1;
      }
    }


    // ————————— CLICK TO OPEN ————————— //
    elements.triggers.forEach((trigger, index) => {
      trigger.addEventListener('click', () => {
        // On start of open callback
        onStart?.();
        
        // Clear any running animations before starting new ones
        mainTimeline.clear();
        gsap.killTweensOf([
          elements.wrapper, 
          elements.nav, 
          elements.triggerParents
        ]);
        
        const img = trigger.querySelector("img")
        const state = Flip.getState(img);
        
        // Store the trigger's current height before the FLIP animation
        // So the grid does not collapse
        const triggerRect = trigger.getBoundingClientRect();
        trigger.parentElement.style.height = `${triggerRect.height}px`;
        
      
        // Save element and parent that was clicked
        trigger.setAttribute('data-lightbox', 'original-parent');
        img.setAttribute('data-lightbox', 'original');
        
        
        // Set correct lightbox item to visible
        updateActiveItem(index);
        
        
        // Start listening for clicks outside of lightbox
        container.addEventListener('click', handleOutsideClick);
        
        const tl = gsap.timeline({
          onComplete: () => {
            // On open callback
            onOpen?.();
          }
        });
        elements.wrapper.classList.add('is-active');
        const targetItem = elements.items[index];
        
        // Hide the original image in the lightbox item
        const lightboxImage = targetItem.querySelector('img');
        if (lightboxImage) {
          lightboxImage.style.display = 'none';
        }
  
        // Fade out other grid items
        elements.triggerParents.forEach(otherTrigger => {
          if (otherTrigger !== trigger) {
            gsap.to(otherTrigger, {
              autoAlpha: 0,
              duration: 0.4,
              stagger:0.02,
              overwrite: true
            });
          }
        });
  
        // Flip clicked image into lightbox
        if (!targetItem.contains(img)) {
          targetItem.appendChild(img);
          tl.add(
            Flip.from(state, {
              targets: img,
              absolute: true,
              duration: 0.6,
              ease: "power2.inOut"
            }), 0
          );
        }
        
        // Animate in our navigation and background
        tl.to(elements.wrapper, {
          backgroundColor: "rgba(0,0,0,0.75)",
          duration: 0.6
        }, 0)
        .fromTo(elements.nav, {
          autoAlpha: 0,
          y: "1rem"
        }, {
          autoAlpha: 1,
          y: "0rem",
          duration: 0.6,
          stagger: { each: 0.05, from: "center" }
        }, 0.2);
        
        // Add this timeline to our main timeline
        mainTimeline.add(tl);
        
      });
    });


    // ————————— NAV BUTTONS ————————— //
    if (elements.buttons.next) {
      elements.buttons.next.addEventListener('click', () => {
        const currentIndex = Array.from(elements.items).findIndex(item => 
          item.classList.contains('is-active')
        );
        const nextIndex = (currentIndex + 1) % elements.items.length;
        updateActiveItem(nextIndex);
      });
    }

    if (elements.buttons.prev) {
      elements.buttons.prev.addEventListener('click', () => {
        const currentIndex = Array.from(elements.items).findIndex(item => 
          item.classList.contains('is-active')
      );
      const prevIndex = (currentIndex - 1 + elements.items.length) % elements.items.length;
        updateActiveItem(prevIndex);
      });
    }

    if (elements.buttons.close) {
      elements.buttons.close.addEventListener('click', closeLightbox);
    }


    // ————————— KEYBOARD NAV ————————— //
    document.addEventListener('keydown', (event) => {
      if (!elements.wrapper.classList.contains('is-active')) return;
      switch (event.key) {
        case 'Escape':
          closeLightbox();
          break;
        case 'ArrowRight':
          elements.buttons.next?.click();
          break;
        case 'ArrowLeft':
          elements.buttons.prev?.click();
          break;
      }
    });
}

document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () =>{
  let wrappers = document.querySelectorAll("[data-gallery]")
  wrappers.forEach((wrapper) => {
    
    // SIMPLE INIT
    createLightbox(wrapper)
    
    //	SUPPORTED CALLBACKS:
    //  createLightbox(wrapper, {
    //    onStart: () => console.log("Starting"),
    //    onOpen: () => console.log("Open"),
    //    onClose: () => console.log("Closing"),
    //    onCloseComplete: () => console.log("Done")
    //  });    
  });
})

Step 3: Add custom CSS

Step 2: Add custom CSS

CSS

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/* Active Classes */
.lightbox-wrap.is-active {
  display: flex;
}
.lightbox-img__item.is-active {
  visibility: visible;
}


/* Force containment of image */
.lightbox-img__item img { 
  object-fit: contain !important;
  min-width: auto;
  width: auto;
  max-height: 100%;
}


/* Simple Hover on Lightbox Buttons */
.lightbox-nav__button:hover .lightbox-nav__dot{ transform: translate(-100%, 0px) }
.lightbox-nav__button:nth-of-type(2):hover .lightbox-nav__dot{ transform: translate(100%, 0px) }

Implementation

Setup

This code is set up to work with as many galleries and/or modal groups per page as you want. It will search for a [data-gallery] element on the page. Inside of this element we'll have a grid (or list) of images, and a fixed wrapper for the modal. The idea is that there's a grid of images on the page, but also make sure that you add the same images (in the same order) inside of the fixed lightbox wrapper. So there's 2 identical groups of images, just in different places. Below is an object to show you all of the available elements. Please reference with our example structure if you're unsure what attribute should go where:

const elements = {
  wrapper: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="wrapper"]'),
  triggers: container.querySelectorAll('[data-lightbox="trigger"]'),
  triggerParents: container.querySelectorAll('[data-lightbox="trigger-parent"]'),
  items: container.querySelectorAll('[data-lightbox="item"]'),
  nav: container.querySelectorAll('[data-lightbox="nav"]'),
  counter: {
    current: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="counter-current"]'),
    total: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="counter-total"]')
  },
  buttons: {
    prev: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="prev"]'),
    next: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="next"]'),
    close: container.querySelector('[data-lightbox="close"]')
  }
};

Callbacks

We've also gone ahead and implemented 4 callbacks, so you can combine the lightbox with other functionalities you might need. For example, maybe you use Lenis (setup here) for a smooth scroll on the page. what you could do, is call lenis.stop() in the onStart callback, and lenis.start() in the onClose callback.

createLightbox(wrapper, {
  onStart: () => console.log("Starting"),
  onOpen: () => console.log("Open"),
  onClose: () => console.log("Closing"),
  onCloseComplete: () => console.log("Done")
});

Potential issue

Make sure the trigger, trigger parent, and lightbox items do not have overflow of hidden applied. It cause the GSAP Flip animation to look weird! I've ran into this problem before, so I thought it'd be good to mention.

Support

If you're stuck, feel free to ask for help in the #questions channel in our Slack community!

Webflow CMS list integration

Alright, let's say you want to use this with a CMS list in Webflow. Some of you might be unsure what attribute goes where. Just add a div somewhere on the page with data-gallery applied. Here's what to do next:

Inside the data-gallery div, add a CMS List Wrapper. Style your main grid the way you want it.
Add a data-lightbox="trigger-parent" attribute to each CMS List Item
Add a custom button element inside the list item, this will get the data-lightbox="trigger" attribute. You will add the image inside of this button.
Then, inside the data-gallery div, add a fixed wrapper. give this the data-lightbox="wrapper" attribute.
We'll add another CMS list in this fixed wrapper, connected to the same CMS. Add data-lightbox="item" to each of the CMS list items inside.
Cross reference our example structure to make sure you have all the correct attributes and styling applied!

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Resource details

Last updated
September 30, 2025
Category
Gallery & Images
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Advanced

Animation

Custom

Documentation

Flip

Fullscreen

Modal

Pop-up

Setup

Image

Slideshow

GSAP

Original source

Ilja van Eck

Lightbox Setup

Documentation

External Scripts in Webflow

Copy structure to Webflow

Custom Javascript in Webflow

Custom CSS in Webflow

Implementation

Setup

Callbacks

Potential issue

Support

Webflow CMS list integration

Before/After Split Slider

Pixelate Image Render Effect

Creator Credits

Need help?

Join the Osmo Slack Community

Unlock the Osmo Vault

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Lightbox Setup

Documentation

External Scripts in Webflow

Copy structure to Webflow

Custom Javascript in Webflow

Custom CSS in Webflow

Implementation

Setup

Callbacks

Potential issue

Support

Webflow CMS list integration

Related resources

Before/After Split Slider

Pixelate Image Render Effect

Creator Credits

Unlock the
Osmo Vault

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Lifetime