CSS Clip-Path Generator
This online generator makes it easy to create image shapes using the CSS clip-path property. Choose from a variety of preset shapes and adjust them by moving points directly over the image. Helpful features such as snap-to-grid, precise nudge controls for fine-tuning the clip-path, and real-time CSS generation give you full control over the final result. You can download the clipped image as a PNG or simply copy the generated CSS, and you may also upload your own image to preview the effect.
CSS Clip-Path Generator
Quick Guide
- Add Points: Click "Add Point" to insert a new handle at the center.
- Refine Shape: Click anywhere on the shape's edge to add a new point precisely between two existing ones.
- Delete Points: Double-click any handle to remove it (min. 3 required).
- Move: Drag handles to reshape. Use the 'Nudge Panel' for precision.
- Center: Click "◎" (center) to snap the shape to 50,50.
- Background: Upload your own image or pick a preset to preview your clip.
- Export: Use the "Download PNG" button for a high-res transparent file.
About CSS Clip-Path Generator
A CSS clip path generator is a tool that helps you create and customize clip paths for elements on a webpage using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Clip paths are used to define the visible portion of an element by specifying a shape or path. This can be used to create non-rectangular or complex shapes for elements, such as images, divs, or text, by hiding or revealing specific parts of the element.
Clip paths can be defined using various methods, including:
Basic Shapes: You can use basic shapes like circles, ellipses, rectangles, and polygons to create clip paths.
Custom Paths: You can define custom paths using SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) path data or by specifying coordinates and drawing complex shapes.
A CSS clip path generator tool simplifies the process of creating clip paths by providing a graphical interface with code generator. These tools allow you to visually design the clip path or specify the necessary parameters, and then they generate the corresponding CSS code. This code can then be applied to your HTML elements to achieve the desired visual effects.
Some advantages of using a CSS clip path generator include:
Ease of use: You don't need to write complex CSS code by hand; instead, you can interactively design your clip paths.
Visual control: You can see the immediate visual results of your clip path as you adjust it in the generator.
Time savings: It can save you time and effort, especially when working with complex clip paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CSS clip-path property?
clip-path is a CSS property that defines a clipping region for an element - only the parts of the element that fall inside the defined shape are visible, everything outside is hidden.
It can be applied to any HTML element including images, divs, and text containers.
You can define the clipping region using basic shapes like polygon(), circle(), ellipse(), and inset(), or reference an SVG <clipPath> element using url().
What is the difference between clip-path and border-radius?
border-radius rounds the corners of an element's rectangular box and is limited to producing oval or circular shapes.
clip-path is far more powerful - it can produce any arbitrary shape including polygons, stars, arrows, diamonds, and custom multi-point outlines.
Both affect the visible area of the element, but clip-path also clips the element's interactive area (clicks and hovers outside the shape do not register), whereas border-radius does not change the hit area.
What shapes can I use with clip-path?
CSS clip-path supports four basic shape functions.
polygon() accepts a list of x/y coordinate pairs and can produce any straight-edged shape - triangles, pentagons, stars, arrows, and more.
circle() clips to a circle defined by a radius and optional center point.
ellipse() clips to an ellipse with separate x and y radii.
inset() clips to a rectangle with optional rounded corners, useful for cutting into the edges of an element symmetrically.
You can also use path() with SVG path data for curves, or url() to reference an external SVG <clipPath> element for complex shapes.
How do clip-path coordinates work?
By default, clip-path coordinates are relative to the element's own bounding box using the border-box reference.
Values can be expressed as percentages (relative to the element's width and height) or absolute lengths in any CSS unit.
Percentage-based coordinates are the most common because they scale with the element - polygon(50% 0%, 100% 100%, 0% 100%) always produces a triangle that fills the element regardless of its size.
The coordinate system starts at the top-left corner (0% 0%) and ends at the bottom-right (100% 100%).
Does clip-path affect the space the element takes up in the layout?
No. clip-path only affects what is visually rendered - it does not change the element's box in the document flow.
The element still occupies its full original dimensions for layout purposes, meaning surrounding elements are not reflowed around the clipped shape.
If you need surrounding content to flow around an irregular shape, use the CSS shape-outside property in combination with a float instead.
Can I animate clip-path in CSS?
Yes, and it produces striking results. You can transition between two clip-path values using CSS transition or animation as long as both values use the same shape function and the same number of points.
For example, transitioning between two polygon() values with the same number of coordinate pairs will smoothly morph the shape.
If the number of points differs, the browser cannot interpolate between the shapes and the transition will jump instantly.
clip-path animations are GPU-accelerated in modern browsers, making them very performant.
What is the difference between clip-path polygon and an SVG clipPath?
A CSS polygon() value is written directly in your stylesheet and supports straight-edged shapes only - it has no support for curves or bezier paths.
An SVG <clipPath> element referenced via clip-path: url(#id) can contain any SVG shape including curves, arcs, and complex compound paths, giving you far greater flexibility.
The trade-off is that SVG clip paths require an inline SVG or external SVG file in your HTML, whereas the CSS polygon approach is entirely self-contained in your stylesheet.
Why is my clip-path not working?
The most common cause is a syntax error in the shape values - make sure coordinate pairs are comma-separated and that percentage or unit values are correctly formatted.
If you are using clip-path: url() to reference an SVG, check that the SVG element exists in the DOM with the correct ID and that it is not in an external file loaded cross-origin without proper CORS headers.
In older versions of Safari, clip-path required the -webkit-clip-path vendor prefix - if you need to support older Safari versions, include both the prefixed and unprefixed declarations.
Also check that no parent element has overflow: hidden combined with a different clipping shape that is masking your element unexpectedly.
What browsers support clip-path?
clip-path with basic shape functions (polygon, circle, ellipse, inset) is fully supported in all modern browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
Older versions of Safari (prior to version 13.1) require the -webkit-clip-path prefix for basic shapes.
The path() function has slightly less consistent support across browsers so test carefully if you use it.
For maximum compatibility, use percentage-based polygon() values for your primary shapes and include a -webkit-clip-path fallback if you need to support older iOS Safari.
How do I clip an image to a shape in CSS?
Apply clip-path directly to the <img> element with the desired shape value.
For example, to clip an image to a circle: img { clip-path: circle(50%); }.
To clip to a triangle: img { clip-path: polygon(50% 0%, 100% 100%, 0% 100%); }.
The image itself is not modified - clip-path is purely a visual effect applied by the browser at render time, so the original image file remains intact and the full image is still downloaded by the browser.
Can I use clip-path to create a diagonal section divider?
Yes, this is one of the most popular uses of clip-path in modern web design.
Apply an inset() or polygon() to a full-width section element to create a diagonal bottom edge.
A common pattern is clip-path: polygon(0 0, 100% 0, 100% 85%, 0 100%), which cuts the bottom-right corner diagonally.
Because the clipped area still occupies layout space, you will typically need to apply a negative margin-bottom or adjust the padding of the following section to close any visible gap between the clipped section and the one below it.