How can I reduce unused JavaScript on Webflow to improve my website's page speed?

Reducing unused JavaScript in your Webflow site is essential for improving page speed and core web vitals like First Contentful Paint (FCP) and Total Blocking Time (TBT).

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1. Remove Unused Third-Party Scripts

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• Audit all third-party integrations like chat widgets, analytics tools, or plugins (e.g., Facebook Pixel, Hotjar).
• Remove any script you're no longer using or that doesn't add essential value.
• Use tools like PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse to identify heavy, unused third-party scripts.

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2. Limit Interactions and Animations

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• Webflow exports JavaScript for every Interaction (IX2) used in your project, even if some are unused.
• Delete unused interactions under Interactions panel > Page Load / Page Trigger / Element Trigger sections.
• Remove “While scrolling in view” and “Page load” triggers if not necessary.

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3. Avoid Unused Webflow Components

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• Components like sliders, tabs, or lightboxes include their own JS when used.
• Avoid inserting Webflow elements that you're not actively using, as they still load their JavaScript.
• Clean up unused components from the canvas and Navigator panel.

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4. Use Custom Code Sparingly

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• Avoid large custom JS libraries (e.g., jQuery plugins) unless absolutely needed.
• If using custom JavaScript, load it only on specific pages via the page settings’ Before </body> field rather than in global custom code.
• Defer or lazy-load scripts when possible by using attributes like defer (note: insert in custom code carefully, respecting Webflow's limitations).

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5. Turn Off JQuery if Not Needed

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• Webflow includes jQuery by default.
• If your entire site doesn’t rely on jQuery, you can disable jQuery from Project Settings > Settings > Advanced > Use jQuery 3.x — uncheck it to remove jQuery.

  (Note: Some Webflow elements depend on jQuery, so test carefully after disabling.)

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6. Minify and Combine JavaScript

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• Webflow automatically minifies JS in production when your site is published with "Minify JS" enabled in Project Settings > Hosting.
• Although you can’t combine files manually in Webflow, enabling minification reduces file sizes significantly.

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7. Use Page Splitting for Large Sites

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• If your site has many dynamic scripts, spread content across multiple pages instead of loading everything on one long page.
• Helps reduce total JS payload per page load.

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Summary

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To reduce unused JavaScript in Webflow, remove unnecessary third-party scripts, delete unused animations and components, and optimize custom code usage. Also, minimize reliance on jQuery and enable minification in hosting settings to improve overall load times.