<gradient>

The <gradient> CSS data type is a special type of <image> that consists of a progressive transition between two or more colors.

Try it

A CSS gradient has no intrinsic dimensions; i.e., it has no natural or preferred size, nor a preferred ratio. Its concrete size will match the size of the element to which it applies.

Syntax

The <gradient> data type is defined with one of the function types listed below.

Linear gradient

Linear gradients transition colors progressively along an imaginary line. They are generated with the linear-gradient() function.

Radial gradient

Radial gradients transition colors progressively from a center point (origin). They are generated with the radial-gradient() function.

Conic gradient

Conic gradients transition colors progressively around a circle. They are generated with the conic-gradient() function.

Repeating gradient

Repeating gradients duplicate a gradient as much as necessary to fill a given area. They are generated with the repeating-linear-gradient(), repeating-radial-gradient(), and repeating-conic-gradient() functions.

As with any interpolation involving colors, gradients are calculated in the alpha-premultiplied color space. This prevents unexpected shades of gray from appearing when both the color and the opacity are changing. (Be aware that older browsers may not use this behavior when using the transparent keyword.)

Formal syntax

<gradient> = 
<linear-gradient()>            |
<repeating-linear-gradient()>  |
<radial-gradient()>            |
<repeating-radial-gradient()>  

<linear-gradient()> = 
linear-gradient( [ <linear-gradient-syntax> ] )  

<repeating-linear-gradient()> = 
repeating-linear-gradient( [ <linear-gradient-syntax> ] )  

<radial-gradient()> = 
radial-gradient( [ <radial-gradient-syntax> ] )  

<repeating-radial-gradient()> = 
repeating-radial-gradient( [ <radial-gradient-syntax> ] )  

<linear-gradient-syntax> = 
[ <angle> | to <side-or-corner> ]? , <color-stop-list>  

<radial-gradient-syntax> = 
[ <radial-shape> || <radial-size> ]? [ at <position> ]? , <color-stop-list>  

<side-or-corner> = 
[ left | right ]  ||
[ top | bottom ]  

<color-stop-list> = 
<linear-color-stop> , [ <linear-color-hint>? , <linear-color-stop> ]#?  

<radial-shape> = 
circle   |
ellipse  

<radial-size> = 
<radial-extent>               |
<length [0,∞]>                |
<length-percentage [0,∞]>{2}  

<position> = 
[ left | center | right | top | bottom | <length-percentage> ]  |
[ left | center | right ] && [ top | center | bottom ]  |
[ left | center | right | <length-percentage> ] [ top | center | bottom | <length-percentage> ]  |
[ [ left | right ] <length-percentage> ] && [ [ top | bottom ] <length-percentage> ]  

<linear-color-stop> = 
<color> <length-percentage>?  

<linear-color-hint> = 
<length-percentage>  

<radial-extent> = 
closest-corner   |
closest-side     |
farthest-corner  |
farthest-side    

<length-percentage> = 
<length>      |
<percentage>

Examples

Linear gradient example

A simple linear gradient.

<div class="linear-gradient">Linear gradient</div>

div {
  width: 240px;
  height: 80px;
}

css

.linear-gradient {
  background: linear-gradient(
    to right,
    red,
    orange,
    yellow,
    green,
    blue,
    indigo,
    violet
  );
}

Radial gradient example

A simple radial gradient.

<div class="radial-gradient">Radial gradient</div>

div {
  width: 240px;
  height: 80px;
}

css

.radial-gradient {
  background: radial-gradient(red, yellow, rgb(30 144 255));
}

Conic gradient example

A simple conic gradient example. Note that this isn't supported widely across browser as of yet.

<div class="conic-gradient">Conic gradient</div>

div {
  width: 200px;
  height: 200px;
}

css

.conic-gradient {
  background: conic-gradient(pink, coral, lime);
}

Repeating gradient examples

Simple repeating linear and radial gradient examples.

<div class="linear-repeat"></div>
<span>Repeating linear gradient</span>
<hr />
<div class="radial-repeat"></div>
<span>Repeating radial gradient</span>
<hr />
<div class="conic-repeat"></div>
<span>Repeating conic gradient</span>

div {
  display: inline-block;
  width: 240px;
  height: 80px;
}

span {
  font-weight: bold;
  vertical-align: top;
}

css

.linear-repeat {
  background: repeating-linear-gradient(
    to top left,
    pink,
    pink 5px,
    white 5px,
    white 10px
  );
}

.radial-repeat {
  background: repeating-radial-gradient(
    lime,
    lime 15px,
    white 15px,
    white 30px
  );
}

.conic-repeat {
  background: repeating-conic-gradient(lime, pink 30deg);
}

Specifications

Specification
CSS Images Module Level 4 # gradients

Browser compatibility

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