Choosing an output format

Choose the output format based on how the animation will be used after export. dotLottie (.lottie) is the preferred format for most exports.

Format	Use when	Notes
dotLottie (`.lottie`)	Default choice — you want smaller files, advanced features, or modern dotLottie playback	Supports state machines, themes, motion tokens, and compact packaging
Lottie JSON (`.json`)	The destination uses legacy `lottie-web` style players	Does not preserve state machines, themes, or motion tokens
GIF	You need to place animated output back into Figma or share a lightweight preview	Raster output, not ideal for production runtime
MP4 / WebM / MOV	You need review, presentation, social-channel, or video-file handoff	Not interactive and not scalable like Lottie

Quick decision

Exporting anything new? Start with dotLottie — smaller files and access to advanced features like state machines, themes, and motion tokens.
Need click, hover, press, or state-machine behavior? Choose dotLottie.
Using legacy lottie-web runtimes? Choose Lottie JSON.
Need visual context inside Figma only? Choose GIF.
Need a review clip or presentation asset? Choose MP4, WebM, or MOV.