CSS Gradient Mask Layers — CSS interactive lesson

CSS gradients can also be used as the mask layer image.

Linear Gradient Mask Layer

Here, we use a linear gradient mask layer for our image. This linear gradient goes from top (black) to bottom (transparent):

Example

Formatted code

.mask1 {
  -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(black, transparent);
  mask-image: linear-gradient(black, transparent);
}

Live preview

Here, we use a linear gradient along with text masking as the mask layer for our image:

Cinque Terre is a coastal area within Liguria, in the northwest of Italy. It lies in the west of La Spezia Province, and comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Example

Formatted code

.mask1 {
  max-width: 600px;
  height: 400px;
  background: url(img_5terre.jpg) no-repeat;
  -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(black, transparent);
  mask-image: linear-gradient (black, transparent);
}

Live preview

Radial Gradient Mask Layer - Circle

Here, we use a radial gradient (shaped as a circle) as the mask layer for our image:

Example

Formatted code

.mask2 {
  -webkit-mask-image: radial-gradient(circle, black 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 50%);
  mask-image: radial-gradient(circle, black 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 50%);
}

Live preview

Radial Gradient Mask Layer - Ellipse

Here, we use a radial gradient (shaped as an ellipse) as the mask layer for our image:

Example

Formatted code

.mask3 {
  -webkit-mask-image: radial-gradient(ellipse, black 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 50%);
  mask-image: radial-gradient(ellipse, black 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 50%);
}

Live preview

Conic Gradient Mask Layer

Here, we use a conic gradient as the mask layer for our image:

Example

Formatted code

.mask3 {
  -webkit-mask-image: conic-gradient(black 0deg, transparent 360deg);
  mask-image: conic-gradient(black 0deg, transparent
  360deg);
}

Live preview

CSS All Masking Properties

The following table lists all the CSS masking properties:

Property	Description
mask-clip	Specifies which area is affected by a mask image
mask-composite	Specifies a compositing operation used on the current mask layer with the mask layers below it
mask-image	Specifies an image to be used as a mask layer for an element
mask-mode	Specifies whether the mask layer image is treated as a luminance mask or as an alpha mask
mask-origin	Specifies the origin position (the mask position area) of a mask layer image
mask-position	Sets the starting position of a mask layer image (relative to the mask position area)
mask-repeat	Specifies how the mask layer image is repeated
mask-size	Specifies the size of a mask layer image
mask-type	Specifies whether an SVG <mask> element is treated as a luminance mask or as an alpha mask

CSS gradients can also be used as the mask layer image.

Linear Gradient Mask Layer

Here, we use a linear gradient mask layer for our image. This linear gradient goes from top (black) to bottom (transparent):

Example

Formatted code

.mask1 {
  -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(black, transparent);
  mask-image: linear-gradient(black, transparent);
}

Live preview

Here, we use a linear gradient along with text masking as the mask layer for our image:

Example

Formatted code

.mask1 {
  max-width: 600px;
  height: 400px;
  background: url(img_5terre.jpg) no-repeat;
  -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(black, transparent);
  mask-image: linear-gradient (black, transparent);
}

Live preview

Radial Gradient Mask Layer - Circle

Here, we use a radial gradient (shaped as a circle) as the mask layer for our image:

Example

Formatted code

.mask2 {
  -webkit-mask-image: radial-gradient(circle, black 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 50%);
  mask-image: radial-gradient(circle, black 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 50%);
}

Live preview

Radial Gradient Mask Layer - Ellipse

Here, we use a radial gradient (shaped as an ellipse) as the mask layer for our image:

Example

Formatted code

.mask3 {
  -webkit-mask-image: radial-gradient(ellipse, black 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 50%);
  mask-image: radial-gradient(ellipse, black 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 50%);
}

Live preview

Conic Gradient Mask Layer

Here, we use a conic gradient as the mask layer for our image:

Example

Formatted code

.mask3 {
  -webkit-mask-image: conic-gradient(black 0deg, transparent 360deg);
  mask-image: conic-gradient(black 0deg, transparent
  360deg);
}

Live preview

CSS All Masking Properties

The following table lists all the CSS masking properties:

Property	Description
mask-clip	Specifies which area is affected by a mask image
mask-composite	Specifies a compositing operation used on the current mask layer with the mask layers below it
mask-image	Specifies an image to be used as a mask layer for an element
mask-mode	Specifies whether the mask layer image is treated as a luminance mask or as an alpha mask
mask-origin	Specifies the origin position (the mask position area) of a mask layer image
mask-position	Sets the starting position of a mask layer image (relative to the mask position area)
mask-repeat	Specifies how the mask layer image is repeated
mask-size	Specifies the size of a mask layer image
mask-type	Specifies whether an SVG <mask> element is treated as a luminance mask or as an alpha mask