Can You Export Code from Framer? Here’s the Truth
Can you export code from Framer? Learn why HTML, CSS, and JS export isn’t supported, what workarounds exist, and the best alternatives for real code.
Can You Export Code from Framer? Here’s the Truth
Short answer: No — Framer does not support direct code export.
You cannot download your Framer website as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files for self-hosting. Framer is a fully hosted platform designed to abstract away code, infrastructure, and performance concerns so users can focus on design and content instead of development.
That said, many designers and developers still ask the same question:
“Can I export my Framer site and host it myself?”
Let’s break down why Framer doesn’t allow this, what options do exist, and the best alternatives if you need real code.
Can You Export Code from Framer?
No. Framer does not allow exporting a complete website as source code.
Unlike traditional website builders or frameworks, Framer does not generate static HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files that you can download and reuse elsewhere. Your site lives entirely inside Framer’s ecosystem and is served through its own hosting infrastructure.
This means:
- You cannot self-host a Framer site
- You cannot download the full source code
- You cannot deploy it to your own server or GitHub repo
Framer is intentionally built as a closed platform.
Why Framer Doesn’t Allow Code Export
Framer is fundamentally different from tools like WordPress, Webflow, or hand-coded frameworks.
Instead of producing static files, Framer:
- Renders layouts dynamically
- Handles animations and interactions at runtime
- Applies internal optimizations that don’t translate cleanly to static output
Allowing full code export would:
- Break animations and interactions
- Remove Framer’s performance optimizations
- Create fragile, hard-to-maintain codebases
- Increase support complexity for Framer itself
In short, Framer prioritizes speed, consistency, and ease of use over code ownership.
For most users, that trade-off is intentional — and acceptable.
Framer’s Hosting: Why It’s So Fast
Framer includes hosting by default, with:
- Automatic image optimization
- Built-in CDN delivery
- Performance tuning handled behind the scenes
- No server configuration or deployment steps
This is why Framer sites often feel instant and require almost no setup.
However, this performance advantage depends on Framer controlling the entire pipeline. Once code export enters the picture, those guarantees disappear — which is one of the main reasons Framer keeps everything internal.
Do People Actually Need to Export Framer Code?
In practice, most Framer users never need code export.
Framer is primarily used by:
- Designers
- Founders
- Marketing teams
- No-code creators
These users value speed to launch over code ownership.
That said, developers often run into limitations when:
- Migrating away from Framer
- Integrating with custom backends
- Building scalable apps
- Needing full control over performance, SEO, or architecture
That’s where Framer starts to feel restrictive.
Are There Any Workarounds?
There is no official way to export a full Framer website.
However, some partial alternatives exist.
1. React Components (Limited)
Framer allows creating and reusing custom React components, but:
- These are not your full site
- Layouts, styles, and interactions are not exported
- You still can’t reconstruct the site outside Framer
2. Manual Rebuild
Some developers manually rebuild Framer designs in:
- React / Next.js
- Tailwind CSS
- Custom animation libraries
This gives you full control — but it’s slow, expensive, and error-prone.
The Best Alternative: Converting Framer to Real Code
If your goal is to:
- Own your code
- Self-host
- Customize deeply
- Scale beyond a landing page
Then exporting isn’t the right approach — conversion is.
Instead of fighting Framer’s limitations, many teams convert their Framer designs into production-ready React or Next.js projects. This preserves the visual design while giving you full control over the codebase.
This approach works especially well when:
- You’re moving from MVP → product
- You need better SEO control
- You want backend integrations
- You want long-term maintainability
How ConvertFramer Fits In
If you like designing in Framer but need real, production-ready code, this is where ConvertFramer comes in.
ConvertFramer takes Framer projects and converts them into clean React or Next.js code you fully own. Instead of spending hours manually rebuilding designs or dealing with partial exports, you can start in Framer and finish with real code that fits into your existing stack.
This approach works well when:
- You’ve validated a design in Framer
- You’re moving from marketing site to product
- You need full control over code, SEO, and integrations
Final Verdict
Framer does not support code export — and it likely never will.
That’s not a flaw; it’s a design decision.
Framer is excellent for:
- Fast launches
- Marketing sites
- Design-first workflows
But if you need:
- Full code ownership
- Custom infrastructure
- Advanced engineering control
Your best option is conversion, not export.