How to Set Up Dark Mode in Framer

In Framer, the application of Dark Mode can be divided into two main categories: one is the Light and Dark mode switching within the Framer editor interface itself, and the other is the Light and Dark color style settings for page elements in web design. For both cases, Framer natively provides the corresponding options, so there is no need for additional plugins. However, it is important to note that by default, the Light and Dark styles of page elements are usually assigned the same color values. If you want to create a true visual contrast between different themes, you must set distinct color values for both Light and Dark modes.

In practice, applying Dark Mode in web design is considered a more advanced technique, as it requires a precise understanding of Framer’s logic to achieve the desired results. This article will guide you through the settings for switching between Light and Dark modes in the Framer editor interface, while also offering a detailed explanation of how to configure Light and Dark color styles for page elements in web design. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to use Dark Mode flexibly in your designs, providing a richer visual experience and smoother interaction for your website.

Switching Between Light and Dark Modes in the Framer Editor Interface

Switching between Light and Dark modes in the Framer editor is very straightforward and requires no complex setup. Designers can quickly toggle between bright and dark interfaces based on their working environment and visual preferences, enhancing both comfort and focus.

1 Switch Button Location and Operation Method

In the Framer editor, the Light and Dark mode switch button can be found in the bottom toolbar of the canvas. The specific steps are as follows:

1. Locate the “Brightness” icon in the bottom toolbar, which is labeled as Theme.

2. When you hover the mouse over the button, the system will display its name as a tooltip, helping users quickly identify the function.

3. Click the button once, and the editor interface will instantly switch to Dark Mode. At the same time, the button icon will change to a moon symbol, representing Dark Mode.

With this simple one-click action, users can freely adjust the visual style of the editor interface as needed, without modifying system settings or installing any plugins.

2 Usage Recommendations and Notes

• Visual Comfort: When working for extended periods or in low-light environments, it is recommended to use Dark Mode to reduce eye strain.

• Theme Consistency: Switching the editor theme does not affect the element styles in web design, but it helps designers better observe page layouts and color contrasts in different environments.

• Quick Operation: Once familiar with the button location in the bottom toolbar, switching modes becomes very fast, making it convenient to adapt to different projects or lighting conditions.

How to Set Up Dark Mode for Page Elements in Framer

Unlike the one-click switch in the editor interface, Framer offers a more advanced approach for applying Light and Dark modes to page elements in web design. The core concept is to bind Color Styles to elements, enabling them to automatically switch to the corresponding color values based on the device’s theme (Light or Dark). This way, when users change their system theme, the visual appearance of the webpage adapts accordingly, maintaining a consistent user experience.

1 Why Use Color Styles to Set Dark Mode

In Framer, element colors are not set directly by choosing separate Light and Dark values in the color picker. Instead, they are implemented through Color Styles. In other words, designers first define a style that includes both Light and Dark color values, and then apply that style to components or elements. The advantages of this approach include:

• Unified Management: Multiple components can reuse the same color style, making global maintenance easier.

• Theme Adaptation: When the device is in a light theme, the page automatically uses the Light color values; when switched to a dark theme, the Dark color values are applied automatically.

• Increased Flexibility: By defining styles centrally, different elements can maintain a consistent color logic.

2 How to Create Color Styles

In the Framer editor, there are two main ways to create a new color style:

1). Method 1 — Create from the Left Panel

1. Open the Assets panel on the left side of the editor.

2. In the Styles section, click the “+” button on the right.

3. From the pop-up menu, select Color and enter a name for the style.

4. In the newly created style, set the corresponding colors in the Light and Dark value fields.

Once completed, this color style can be used globally.

2). Method 2 — Create from the Element Properties Panel

1. Select the specific component or page element.

2. In the right Properties Panel, locate the Color setting.

3. Click the color picker to open the color settings window.

4. At the bottom of the window, click New Style to create a new color style for the element.

5. Similarly, set the corresponding color values in the Light and Dark input fields.

Color styles created using either of these methods are saved in the project and can be directly reused on other elements.

3 Usage Recommendations

Consistent Global Naming: When creating new color styles, give clear names for the Light and Dark versions (e.g., Primary / Light, Primary / Dark) to facilitate future maintenance.

Layered Application: It is recommended to first establish unified styles for base colors (such as background, text, and primary buttons) before extending to secondary elements, preventing local inconsistencies.

Test Different Theme Effects: During design, switch the system theme to verify that elements correctly apply the different color values, ensuring a consistent final result.

Two Methods to Test Whether Dark Mode Is Working

After creating color styles and correctly applying them to components or page elements, it becomes especially important to verify whether Light and Dark modes switch properly. Testing not only helps designers confirm that the style settings are correct, but also allows potential issues to be identified early in real-world usage. Below are two commonly used methods for verification, which you can choose individually or use together to ensure more reliable results.

1 Method 1 — Use the Built-in Switch Button in Framer (Recommended)

Framer provides the most convenient way to test: you can directly switch between Light and Dark modes using the theme toggle button in the bottom toolbar of the canvas.

• Steps: Locate the Theme icon (sun or moon symbol) at the bottom of the editor and click it to instantly switch the interface theme.

• Testing Effect: After switching, components or page elements immediately respond, displaying the corresponding Light or Dark color styles.

• Advantages: This method provides instant feedback without leaving the editor, making it fast and ideal for frequent testing during design.

Recommendation: Use this method at any time during the design process to quickly identify if any color styles are not correctly applied.

2 Method 2 — Use the Operating System’s Theme Switch

If you want to test Dark Mode on real devices and in browser environments, you can use the operating system’s theme switch. For example, in Windows:

1. Open Windows Settings → Personalization → Colors.

2. Under Choose your mode, switch between Light or Dark.

3. You can also select a specific accent color under Theme color, or enter custom color values for further adjustment of the overall visual effect.

4. After saving the settings, visit your Framer-built website in a browser to see how it appears in both Light and Dark modes.

Advantages: This method allows you to verify page appearance in a real browser environment, which is closer to the user’s actual experience. It is ideal for final testing after design completion to ensure the website responds correctly across different devices and operating systems.

3 Usage Recommendations

• In the early stages of design, it is recommended to use Method 1 to switch and verify within the editor at any time, allowing for quick issue detection.

• Before testing or launching the project, Method 2 can be used to simulate the real user environment, ensuring that color styles are correctly displayed in the browser.

• Combining both methods provides the best balance between design efficiency and testing accuracy.

Conclusion

Through this article, you should now have a complete understanding of how to implement Dark Mode in Framer—from switching Light and Dark modes in the editor interface, to advanced color style settings for page elements, and finally to testing and verification methods. Each step enhances the website’s ability to adapt to different themes. Properly leveraging these features not only improves the browsing experience across various environments but also adds a higher level of professionalism and attention to detail to your designs.

If you want to fully unlock Framer design and interaction potential, and create projects that balance aesthetics and functionality, consider exploring innovative practices with Jane Framer Studio. We provide professional Framer design and development support to help you build websites that combine visual impact with exceptional user experience.