50 Animated Background Ideas with CSS: In-Depth Tutorials and Copyable Code

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25 Animated Background Ideas with CSS: Tutorials and Responsive Previews

Introduction

Animated backgrounds add dynamic flair to websites, enhancing user engagement. This article presents 25 CSS-based animated background ideas, each with a mobile-responsive preview, detailed explanation, and copyable code. Previews use minified inline CSS for performance and are ideal for WordPress or standalone HTML. Test them in CodePen (codepen.io) or modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).

How to Use: Paste code into a WordPress Custom HTML block or a local HTML file. All animations use will-change for GPU acceleration and media queries for mobile responsiveness.

Prerequisites: Basic HTML/CSS knowledge. Optimize for mobile with provided media queries.

Idea 1: Fading Linear Gradient

Description: A gradient transitioning from pink to peach, moving diagonally over 5s. Ideal for hero sections.

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Technical Breakdown: Uses linear-gradient with background-size: 200%, animating background-position.

Preview:

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.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: linear-gradient(45deg, #ff9a9e, #fad0c4);
    background-size: 200% 200%;
    animation: fadeGradient 5s ease infinite;
    will-change: background-position;
    overflow: hidden;
}

@keyframes fadeGradient {
    0%, 100% { background-position: 0 50%; }
    50% { background-position: 100% 50%; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 2: Pulsing Radial Gradient

Description: A radial gradient pulsing from purple to pink over 3s, great for tech interfaces.

Technical Breakdown: Animates background-size with radial-gradient and ease-in-out.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: radial-gradient(circle, #a18cd1, #fbc2eb);
    background-size: 100% 100%;
    animation: pulseRadial 3s ease-in-out infinite;
    will-change: background-size;
    overflow: hidden;
}

@keyframes pulseRadial {
    0%, 100% { background-position: 100% 100%; }
    50% { background-position: 200% 200%; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 3: Twinkling Stars

Description: White dots twinkling on a black sky, simulating stars over 2s with staggered delays.

Technical Breakdown: Uses box-shadow with pseudo-elements, animating opacity.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #000;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.animated-bg::before, .animated-bg::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    background: transparent;
    box-shadow: 50px 50px 3px #fff, 100px 100px 2px #fff, 200px 50px 4px #fff;
    animation: twinkle 2s linear infinite;
    will-change: opacity;
}

.animated-bg::after { animation-delay: 1s; }

@keyframes twinkle {
    0%, 100% { opacity: 1; }
    50% { opacity: 0.3; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 4: Falling Rain

Description: White streaks falling on a dark background, mimicking rain over 1s.

Technical Breakdown: Uses repeating-linear-gradient, animating top position.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #333;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.animated-bg::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: -100%;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 200%;
    background: repeating-linear-gradient(transparent 0, transparent 2px, #fff 2px, #fff 4px);
    animation: rainFall 1s linear infinite;
    will-change: top;
}

@keyframes rainFall {
    0% { top: -100%; }
    100% { top: 0%; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 5: Snowfall Effect

Description: White snowflakes drifting down with rotation over 5s, ideal for holiday themes.

Technical Breakdown: Uses border-radius: 50% divs, animating translateY and rotate.

Preview:

<div class="animated-bg">
    <div class="snowflake" style="left: 20%;"></div>
    <div class="snowflake" style="left: 60%; animation-delay: 2s;"></div>
</div>

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #001f3f;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.snowflake {
    position: absolute;
    width: 10px;
    height: 10px;
    background: #fff;
    border-radius: 50%;
    animation: snowFall 5s linear infinite;
    will-change: transform;
}

@keyframes snowFall {
    0% { transform: translateY(-100%) rotate(0deg); }
    100% { transform: translateY(100%) rotate(360deg); }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 6: Exploding Fireworks

Description: Red bursts expanding and fading over 2s, ideal for celebrations.

Technical Breakdown: Uses radial-gradient and scale animations.

Preview:

<div class="animated-bg">
    <div class="firework" style="top:50%;left:50%;"></div>
</div>

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #000;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.firework {
    position: absolute;
    width: 0;
    height: 0;
    background: radial-gradient(circle, red, transparent);
    animation: explode 2s ease-out infinite;
    will-change: transform, opacity;
}

@keyframes explode {
    0% { transform: scale(0); opacity: 1; }
    100% { transform: scale(5); opacity: 0; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 7: Wavy Ocean

Description: Blue waves sliding left to right over 10s, creating a calming effect.

Technical Breakdown: Uses layered linear-gradient with translateX.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #1e90ff;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.animated-bg::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 200%;
    height: 100%;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, #1e90ff, transparent, #1e90ff);
    animation: wave 10s linear infinite;
    will-change: transform;
}

@keyframes wave {
    0% { transform: translateX(0); }
    100% { transform: translateX(-50%); }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 8: Particle Burst

Description: White dots scattering outward from the center, fading over 2s.

Technical Breakdown: Animates transform and opacity on multiple divs.

Preview:

<div class="animated-bg">
    <div class="particle" style="animation-delay:0s;"></div>
    <div class="particle" style="animation-delay:0.5s;"></div>
</div>

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #111;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.particle {
    position: absolute;
    top: 50%;
    left: 50%;
    width: 5px;
    height: 5px;
    background: #fff;
    border-radius: 50%;
    animation: burst 2s ease-out infinite;
    will-change: transform, opacity;
}

@keyframes burst {
    0% { transform: translate(0, 0); opacity: 1; }
    100% { transform: translate(100px, 100px); opacity: 0; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 9: Rising Bubbles

Description: White bubbles floating up with slight scaling over 4s.

Technical Breakdown: Uses border-radius and animates translateY, scale.

Preview:

<div class="animated-bg">
    <div class="bubble" style="left:30%;"></div>
    <div class="bubble" style="left:70%;animation-delay:1s;"></div>
</div>

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #87ceeb;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.bubble {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: -20px;
    width: 15px;
    height: 15px;
    background: #fff;
    border-radius: 50%;
    animation: bubble 4s linear infinite;
    will-change: transform, opacity;
}

@keyframes bubble {
    0% { transform: translateY(0) scale(1); opacity: 0.8; }
    100% { transform: translateY(-100%) scale(1.2); opacity: 0; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 10: Matrix Code Rain

Description: Green code-like lines falling vertically over 2s, mimicking The Matrix.

Technical Breakdown: Uses repeating-linear-gradient with translateY.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #000;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.animated-bg::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: -100%;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 200%;
    background: repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, transparent 0, transparent 5px, #0f0 5px, #0f0 7px);
    animation: matrix 2s linear infinite;
    will-change: transform;
}

@keyframes matrix {
    0% { transform: translateY(0); }
    100% { transform: translateY(100%); }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 11: Rotating Kaleidoscope

Description: A conic gradient rotating 360 degrees over 20s, creating a kaleidoscope effect.

Technical Breakdown: Uses conic-gradient with rotate animation.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: conic-gradient(#f00, #ff0, #0f0, #0ff, #00f, #f0f);
    animation: rotate 20s linear infinite;
    will-change: transform;
    overflow: hidden;
}

@keyframes rotate {
    0% { transform: rotate(0deg); }
    100% { transform: rotate(360deg); }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 12: Color Cycling

Description: A background cycling through colors (red, blue, green) over 6s.

Technical Breakdown: Animates background-color with keyframes.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #f00;
    animation: cycle 6s linear infinite;
    will-change: background-color;
    overflow: hidden;
}

@keyframes cycle {
    0% { background: #f00; }
    33% { background: #00f; }
    66% { background: #0f0; }
    100% { background: #f00; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 13: Lightning Flashes

Description: Sudden white flashes on a dark sky, simulating lightning over 3s.

Technical Breakdown: Animates opacity with sharp keyframe transitions.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #333;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.animated-bg::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    background: #fff;
    animation: lightning 3s linear infinite;
    will-change: opacity;
}

@keyframes lightning {
    0%, 10%, 20%, 100% { opacity: 0; }
    15% { opacity: 1; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 14: Floating Clouds

Description: White clouds drifting horizontally over a sky blue background in 8s.

Technical Breakdown: Uses border-radius divs with translateX.

Preview:

<div class="animated-bg">
    <div class="cloud" style="top:20%;"></div>
</div>

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #87ceeb;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.cloud {
    position: absolute;
    left: -20%;
    width: 30%;
    height: 20%;
    background: #fff;
    border-radius: 50%;
    animation: cloud 8s linear infinite;
    will-change: transform;
}

@keyframes cloud {
    0% { transform: translateX(-20%); }
    100% { transform: translateX(120%); }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 15: Glitch Effect

Description: A glitchy background with shifting red, green, blue layers over 1s.

Technical Breakdown: Uses pseudo-elements with translateX and opacity.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #000;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.animated-bg::before, .animated-bg::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    animation: glitch1 1s linear infinite;
    will-change: transform, opacity;
}

.animated-bg::before { background: red; }
.animated-bg::after { background: green; animation: glitch2 1s linear infinite 0.3s; }

@keyframes glitch1 {
    0%, 20%, 100% { transform: translateX(0); opacity: 0.5; }
    10% { transform: translateX(5px); opacity: 0.7; }
}

@keyframes glitch2 {
    0%, 20%, 100% { transform: translateX(0); opacity: 0.5; }
    10% { transform: translateX(-5px); opacity: 0.7; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 16: Aurora Borealis

Description: Green and purple gradients fading and moving vertically over 10s.

Technical Breakdown: Uses layered linear-gradient with translateY.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #000;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.animated-bg::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    background: linear-gradient(transparent, #0f9, transparent);
    animation: aurora 10s ease infinite;
    will-change: transform, opacity;
}

@keyframes aurora {
    0% { transform: translateY(-50%); opacity: 0.6; }
    50% { transform: translateY(0); opacity: 0.9; }
    100% { transform: translateY(50%); opacity: 0.6; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 17: Confetti Fall

Description: Colorful squares falling and rotating over 5s, ideal for celebrations.

Technical Breakdown: Uses multiple divs with translateY and rotate.

Preview:

<div class="animated-bg">
    <div class="confetti" style="left:25%;background:#f00;"></div>
    <div class="confetti" style="left:75%;background:#00f;animation-delay:1s;"></div>
</div>

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #fff;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.confetti {
    position: absolute;
    width: 10px;
    height: 10px;
    animation: confetti 5s linear infinite;
    will-change: transform;
}

@keyframes confetti {
    0% { transform: translateY(-10px) rotate(0deg); }
    100% { transform: translateY(100%) rotate(360deg); }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 18: Lava Lamp Blobs

Description: Colorful blobs floating up and morphing over 6s.

Technical Breakdown: Uses border-radius with translateY and scale.

Preview:

<div class="animated-bg">
    <div class="blob" style="left:40%;"></div>
</div>

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #222;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.blob {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: -20px;
    width: 20%;
    height: 20%;
    background: #f0f;
    border-radius: 40%;
    animation: lava 6s ease infinite;
    will-change: transform;
}

@keyframes lava {
    0% { transform: translateY(0) scale(1); }
    50% { transform: translateY(-50%) scale(1.2); }
    100% { transform: translateY(-100%) scale(1); }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 19: Neon Pulse

Description: A neon glow pulsing with a pink shadow over 2s.

Technical Breakdown: Animates box-shadow for glowing effect.

Preview:

<div class="animated-bg">
    <div class="neon"></div>
</div>

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #000;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.neon {
    position: absolute;
    top: 50%;
    left: 50%;
    width: 50px;
    height: 50px;
    background: #f0f;
    animation: neon 2s ease-in-out infinite;
    will-change: box-shadow;
}

@keyframes neon {
    0%, 100% { box-shadow: 0 0 10px #f0f, 0 0 20px #f0f; }
    50% { box-shadow: 0 0 20px #f0f, 0 0 40px #f0f; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 20: Vortex Swirl

Description: A swirling gradient rotating over 15s, creating a hypnotic vortex.

Technical Breakdown: Uses conic-gradient with rotate.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: conic-gradient(#00f, #fff, #00f);
    animation: vortex 15s linear infinite;
    will-change: transform;
    overflow: hidden;
}

@keyframes vortex {
    0% { transform: rotate(0deg); }
    100% { transform: rotate(360deg); }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 21: Fire Glow

Description: A flickering orange and red glow, simulating fire over 3s.

Technical Breakdown: Animates background-color and opacity.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #f60;
    animation: fire 3s ease infinite;
    will-change: background-color, opacity;
    overflow: hidden;
}

@keyframes fire {
    0%, 100% { background: #f60; opacity: 0.7; }
    50% { background: #f00; opacity: 1; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 22: Ripple Effect

Description: Concentric circles expanding outward over 4s, like water ripples.

Technical Breakdown: Uses border-radius and scale with opacity.

Preview:

<div class="animated-bg">
    <div class="ripple"></div>
</div>

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #1e90ff;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.ripple {
    position: absolute;
    top: 50%;
    left: 50%;
    width: 20px;
    height: 20px;
    border: 2px solid #fff;
    border-radius: 50%;
    animation: ripple 4s ease-out infinite;
    will-change: transform, opacity;
}

@keyframes ripple {
    0% { transform: scale(1); opacity: 1; }
    100% { transform: scale(10); opacity: 0; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 23: Starfield Flythrough

Description: White stars moving toward the viewer over 5s, simulating space travel.

Technical Breakdown: Uses scale and translate on multiple divs.

Preview:

<div class="animated-bg">
    <div class="star"></div>
</div>

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #000;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
    perspective: 1000px;
}

.star {
    position: absolute;
    top: 50%;
    left: 50%;
    width: 5px;
    height: 5px;
    background: #fff;
    animation: starfield 5s linear infinite;
    will-change: transform;
}

@keyframes starfield {
    0% { transform: translateZ(0) scale(0.1); }
    100% { transform: translateZ(1000px) scale(1); }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 24: Breathing Gradient

Description: A gradient pulsing in opacity over 4s, creating a breathing effect.

Technical Breakdown: Animates opacity on a linear-gradient.

Preview:

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: linear-gradient(45deg, #ff6, #f66);
    animation: breathe 4s ease-in-out infinite;
    will-change: opacity;
    overflow: hidden;
}

@keyframes breathe {
    0%, 100% { opacity: 0.7; }
    50% { opacity: 1; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Idea 25: Pixel Rain

Description: Colored pixels falling like rain over 3s, creating a retro effect.

Technical Breakdown: Uses translateY on square divs.

Preview:

<div class="animated-bg">
    <div class="pixel" style="left:30%;background:#f0f;"></div>
    <div class="pixel" style="left:70%;background:#0ff;animation-delay:1s;"></div>
</div>

.animated-bg {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    height: 30vh;
    min-height: 150px;
    max-height: 200px;
    background: #111;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.pixel {
    position: absolute;
    width: 8px;
    height: 8px;
    animation: pixel 3s linear infinite;
    will-change: transform;
}

@keyframes pixel {
    0% { transform: translateY(-10px); }
    100% { transform: translateY(100%); }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .animated-bg { height: 20vh; min-height: 100px; }
}

Performance and Optimization Tips

  • Use will-change for GPU acceleration (included in all examples).
  • Minified inline CSS in previews reduces parsing time.
  • Media queries ensure mobile responsiveness (≤768px).
  • For WordPress, combine CSS into one file to reduce HTTP requests.
  • Test in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge. Add fallbacks:
    .animated-bg { background: #000; /* Fallback */ }
  • Reduce elements on mobile for complex animations:
    @media (max-width: 768px) { .snowflake:nth-child(n+3), .particle:nth-child(n+3), .bubble:nth-child(n+3), .confetti:nth-child(n+3), .pixel:nth-child(n+3) { display: none; } }

WordPress Integration

Add previews to WordPress using Custom HTML blocks or shortcodes. Example shortcode for Idea 1:

<?php
function animation_preview_shortcode($atts) {
    $atts = shortcode_atts(array('id' => 'fading-gradient'), $atts);
    $animation_id = sanitize_key($atts['id']);
    ob_start();
    ?>
    <div class="animation-preview">
        <div style="width:100%;max-width:100%;height:100%;background:linear-gradient(45deg,#ff9a9e,#fad0c4);background-size:200%;animation:fadeGradient 5s ease infinite;will-change:background-position;"><style>@keyframes fadeGradient{0%,100%{background-position:0 50%}50%{background-position:100% 50%}}</style></div>
    </div>
    <?php
    return ob_get_clean();
}
add_shortcode('animation_preview', 'animation_preview_shortcode');
?>

Extend for other animations by mapping IDs to styles.

Conclusion

These 25 CSS animated backgrounds offer creative, responsive visuals for websites. Optimized with will-change and media queries, they work in WordPress or standalone HTML. Test in CodePen for full-screen effects or customize colors and timings. Happy animating!

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