How to Use Hold Keyframes in After Effects

Hold keyframes in Adobe After Effects allow you to freeze a property's value until the playhead encounters a new keyframe, eliminating gradual transitions to create instant, abrupt state changes. This guide covers how hold keyframes work, the fastest methods to convert standard keyframes into hold keyframes, and the most common animation scenarios where you should use them.

What Is a Hold Keyframe?

Standard keyframes in After Effects automatically interpolate values between two points in time, creating smooth motion or gradual shifts in opacity, scale, position, or color. A hold keyframe disables this interpolation. Instead of smoothly moving between values, the layer remains completely stationary at the first value until the timeline reaches the next keyframe, at which point the value immediately snaps to the new setting.

Visually, standard diamond-shaped keyframes turn into square-shaped or half-square "tag" icons on the timeline when converted to hold keyframes.

Method 1: The Toggle Shortcut (Fastest)

  1. Set two or more keyframes on any layer property (such as Position, Rotation, or Opacity).
  2. Select the keyframe(s) you want to freeze.
  3. Use the keyboard shortcut:
    • Windows: Ctrl + Alt + H
    • macOS: Cmd + Option + H

The selected keyframe icons will switch to a square shape, indicating that the value will be held until the subsequent keyframe.

Method 2: The Context Menu

  1. Click on the timeline and select the keyframe you wish to freeze.
  2. Right-click (or Control-click on macOS) the selected keyframe.
  3. Select Toggle Hold Keyframe from the context menu.

To revert a hold keyframe back to a standard linear or Bezier keyframe, simply repeat the process: right-click the hold keyframe and select Toggle Hold Keyframe again, or press the keyboard shortcut.

Method 3: The Keyframe Interpolation Dialog

For precise control over incoming and outgoing values:

  1. Select your keyframes.
  2. Right-click and choose Keyframe Interpolation (or press Ctrl + Alt + K / Cmd + Option + K).
  3. In the dialog box, locate the Hold option:
    • Set Hold Interpolation to Hold for spatial or temporal controls depending on the property type.
  4. Click OK.

Practical Use Cases for Hold Keyframes

  • Frame-by-Frame / Stop-Motion Animation: Use hold keyframes on position and rotation to mimic traditional claymation or stepped frame rates without using the Posterize Time effect.
  • Rapid Text and UI Changes: Create instantaneous cuts between different words, numerical counters, or button toggle states (active vs. inactive) without relying on layer splitting.
  • Strobe and Flashing Effects: Alternate an Opacity property between 100% and 0% using hold keyframes to create crisp, instant flashing lights or glitch aesthetics.
  • Color Palettes: Instantly switch fill or background colors on specific musical beats without color blending.