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linear-gradient()

The linear-gradient() CSS function creates an image consisting of a progressive transition between two or more colors along a straight line. Its result is an object of the <gradient> data type, which is a special kind of <image>.

As with any gradient, a linear 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 it applies to.

To create a linear gradient that repeats so as to fill its container, use the repeating-linear-gradient() function instead.

Because <gradient>s belong to the <image> data type, they can only be used where <image>s can be used. For this reason, linear-gradient() won't work on background-color and other properties that use the <color> data type.

Composition of a linear gradient

A linear gradient is defined by an axis—the gradient line—and two or more color-stop points. Each point on the axis is a distinct color; to create a smooth gradient, the linear-gradient() function draws a series of colored lines perpendicular to the gradient line, each one matching the color of the point where it intersects the gradient line.

linear-gradient.png

The gradient line is defined by the center of the box containing the gradient image and by an angle. The colors of the gradient are determined by two or more points: the starting point, the ending point, and, in between, optional color-stop points.

The starting point is the location on the gradient line where the first color begins. The ending point is the point where the last color ends. Each of these two points is defined by the intersection of the gradient line with a perpendicular line passing from the box corner which is in the same quadrant. The ending point can be simply understood as the symmetrical point of the starting point. These somewhat complex definitions lead to an interesting effect sometimes called magic corners: the corners nearest to the starting and ending points have the same color as their respective starting or ending points.

By adding more color-stop points on the gradient line, you can create a highly customized transition between the starting and ending colors. A color-stop's position can be explicitly defined by using a <length> or a <percentage>. If you don't specify the location, it is placed halfway between the one that precedes it and the one that follows it.

Syntax

/* A gradient tilted 45 degrees,
   starting blue and finishing red */
linear-gradient(45deg, blue, red);

/* A gradient going from the bottom right to the top left corner,
   starting blue and finishing red */
linear-gradient(to left top, blue, red);

/* A gradient going from the bottom to top,
   starting blue, turning green at 40% of its length,
   and finishing red */
linear-gradient(0deg, blue, green 40%, red);

Values

<side-or-corner>
The position of the gradient line's starting point. If specified, it consists of the word to and up to two keywords: one indicates the horizontal side (left or right), and the other the vertical side (top or bottom). The order of the side keywords does not matter. If unspecified, it defaults to to bottom.
The values to top, to bottom, to left, and to right are equivalent to the angles 0deg, 180deg, 270deg, and 90deg respectively. The other values are translated into an angle.
<angle>
The gradient line's angle of direction. A value of 0deg is equivalent to to top; increasing values rotate clockwise from there.
<color-stop>
A color-stop's <color> value, followed by an optional stop position (either a <percentage> or a <length> along the gradient's axis).

Note: Rendering of color stops in CSS gradients follows the same rules as color stops in SVG gradients.

Formal syntax

linear-gradient( 
  [ <angle> | to <side-or-corner> ,]? <color-stop> [, <color-stop>]+ )
  \---------------------------------/ \----------------------------/
    Definition of the gradient line        List of color stops  

where <side-or-corner> = [left | right] || [top | bottom]
  and <color-stop>     = <color> [ <percentage> | <length> ]?

Examples

Gradient at a 45-degree angle

body {
  background: linear-gradient(45deg, red, blue);
}

Gradient that starts at 60% of the gradient line

body {
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, orange, orange 60%, cyan);
}

Note: Please see Using CSS gradients for more examples.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Images Module Level 4
The definition of 'Gradient Color-Stops' in that specification.
Working Draft Adds interpolation hints.
CSS Images Module Level 3
The definition of 'linear-gradient()' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation Initial definition.

Browser compatibilityUpdate compatibility data on GitHub

Desktop
Chrome Edge Firefox Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support 26
26
10
Prefixed
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -webkit-
12 16
16
Before Firefox 36, gradients weren't applied on the pre-multiplied color space, leading to shades of grey unexpectedly appearing when used with transparency.
3.6
Prefixed
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -moz-
Since Firefox 42, the prefixed version of gradients can be disabled by setting layout.css.prefixes.gradients to false.
Considers <angle> to start to the right, instead of the top. I.e. it considered an angle of 0deg as a direction indicator pointing to the right.
49
Prefixed
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -webkit-
44
Prefixed Disabled
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Disabled From version 44: this feature is behind the layout.css.prefixes.webkit preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
10
10
Internet Explorer 5.5 through 9.0 supported gradients via a proprietary filter: -ms-filter: progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.Gradient().
12.1
12.1
11 — 15
Prefixed
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -o-
Considers <angle> to start to the right, instead of the top. I.e. it considered an angle of 0deg as a direction indicator pointing to the right.
15
Prefixed
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Considers <angle> to start to the right, instead of the top. I.e. it considered an angle of 0deg as a direction indicator pointing to the right.
6.1
6.1
5.1
Prefixed
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Safari 4 was supporting an experimental -webkit-gradient(linear,…) function. It is more limited than the later standard version: you cannot specify both a position and an angle like in linear-gradient(). This old outdated syntax is still supported for compatibility purposes.
Considers <angle> to start to the right, instead of the top. I.e. it considered an angle of 0deg as a direction indicator pointing to the right.
to keyword 26 12 10 10 12.1 6.1
Interpolation Hints / Gradient Midpoints 40 No 36 No 27 6.1
Unitless 0 for <angle> 26 12 55
55
46
Accepted only in -webkit-linear-gradient() and -moz-linear-gradient(), not linear-gradient().
No 16 6.1
Mobile
Android webview Chrome for Android Edge Mobile Firefox for Android Opera for Android iOS Safari Samsung Internet
Basic support Yes
Yes
Yes
Prefixed
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Yes
Yes
Yes
Prefixed
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Yes 16
16
Before Firefox 36, gradients weren't applied on the pre-multiplied color space, leading to shades of grey unexpectedly appearing when used with transparency.
4
Prefixed
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -moz-
Since Firefox 42, the prefixed version of gradients can be disabled by setting layout.css.prefixes.gradients to false.
Considers <angle> to start to the right, instead of the top. I.e. it considered an angle of 0deg as a direction indicator pointing to the right.
49
Prefixed
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -webkit-
44
Prefixed Disabled
Prefixed Requires the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Disabled From version 44: this feature is behind the layout.css.prefixes.webkit preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
Yes Yes Yes
to keyword Yes Yes Yes 10 Yes Yes Yes
Interpolation Hints / Gradient Midpoints 40 40 No 36 Yes Yes Yes
Unitless 0 for <angle> Yes Yes 12 55
55
46
Accepted only in -webkit-linear-gradient() and -moz-linear-gradient(), not linear-gradient().
Yes Yes Yes

See also

© 2005–2018 Mozilla Developer Network and individual contributors.
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/linear-gradient