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css masking codepen

 

With CSS masking you create a mask layer to place over an element to partially or fully hide portions of the element.

The CSS mask-image Property

The CSS mask-image property specifies a mask layer image.

The mask layer image can be a PNG image, an SVG image, a , or an .

Browser Support

Note: Most browsers only have partial support for CSS masking. You will need to use the -webkit- prefix in addition to the standard property in most browsers.

The numbers in the table below specify the first browser version that fully supports the property. Numbers followed by -webkit- specify the first version that worked with a prefix.

Property          
mask-image 4.0 -webkit- 79.0 -webkit- 53.0 4.0 -webkit- 15.0 -webkit-

Use an Image as the Mask Layer

To use a PNG or an SVG image as the mask layer, use a url() value to pass in the mask layer image.

The mask image needs to have a transparent or semi-transparent area. Black indicates fully transparent.

Here is the mask image (a PNG image) we will use:

 

Here is an image from Cinque Terre, in Italy:

 

Now, we apply the mask image (the PNG image above) as the mask layer for the image from Cinque Terre, Italy:

 

Example

Here is the source code:

.mask1 {
  -webkit-mask-image: url(w3logo.png);
  mask-image: url(w3logo.png);
  -webkit-mask-repeat: no-repeat;
  mask-repeat: no-repeat;
}

Example Explained

The mask-image property specifies the image to be used as a mask layer for an element.

The mask-repeat property specifies if or how a mask image will be repeated. The no-repeat value indicates that the mask image will not be repeated (the mask image will only be shown once).

Another Example

If we omit the mask-repeat property, the mask image will be repeated all over the image from Cinque Terre, Italy:

 

Example

Here is the source code:

.mask1 {
  -webkit-mask-image: url(w3logo.png);
  mask-image: url(w3logo.png);
}

Use Gradients as the Mask Layer

CSS linear and radial gradients can also be used as mask images.

Linear Gradient Examples

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


 

Example

Use a linear gradient as a mask layer:

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

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

The 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.

The 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.

The 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

Use a linear gradient along with text masking as a mask layer:

.mask1 {
  max-width: 600px;
  height: 350px;
  overflow-y: scroll;
  background: url(img_5terre.jpg) no-repeat;
  -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(black, transparent);
  mask-image: linear-gradient (black, transparent);
}

Radial Gradient Examples

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

 

Example

Use a radial gradient as a mask layer (a circle):

.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%);
}

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

Cinque Terre

Example

Use another radial gradient as a mask layer (an ellipse):

.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%);
}

Use SVG as the Mask Layer

The SVG element can be used inside an SVG graphic to create masking effects.

Here, we use the SVG element to create different mask layers for our image:

Sorry, your browser does not support inline SVG.

Example

An SVG mask layer (formed as a triangle):


Sorry, your browser does not support inline SVG.

Example

An SVG mask layer (formed as a star):

Sorry, your browser does not support inline SVG.

Example

An SVG mask layer (formed as circles):
 

CSS Masking Properties

The following table lists all the CSS masking properties:

Property Description
  Specifies an image to be used as a mask layer for an element
  Specifies whether the mask layer image is treated as a luminance mask or as an alpha mask
  Specifies the origin position (the mask position area) of a mask layer image
  Sets the starting position of a mask layer image (relative to the mask position area)
  Specifies how the mask layer image is repeated
  Specifies the size of a mask layer image

 

 
CSS Masking
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