CSS clip-path Property
Creates a clipping region that determines which parts of an element are visible
Syntax
clip-path: none | <basic-shape> | url() | margin-box | border-box | padding-box | content-box;Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| none | No clipping |
| circle() | Circular clipping region |
| ellipse() | Elliptical clipping region |
| polygon() | Polygonal clipping region |
| inset() | Rectangular inset clipping |
| url() | References an SVG clipPath element |
Example
.avatar {
clip-path: circle(50%);
width: 80px;
height: 80px;
}Understanding CSS clip-path
The CSS clip-path property creates a clipping region that determines which parts of an element are visible. As part of the Layout module in CSS, it is one of the most commonly used properties for controlling the visual presentation of web pages.
You can set clip-path to values such as none, circle(), ellipse(), polygon(), among others. Each value changes how the browser renders the affected element, giving you fine-grained control over your page layout and design. Choosing the right value depends on the specific design requirements of your project.
Common use cases for the clip-path property include responsive web design, component-based layouts, and creating visually consistent interfaces across devices. It works closely with related properties like overflow, mask, shape-outside to achieve complex styling effects. Understanding how these properties interact helps you write cleaner, more maintainable stylesheets.
Browser support for clip-path is excellent across all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For older browsers, consider using fallback values or progressive enhancement strategies. The property can also be set dynamically via JavaScript using element.style.clipPath or the CSS custom properties (variables) approach for theming.
Related Properties
overflowControls what happens to content that overflows an element's box
maskShorthand for all mask properties allowing you to hide portions of an element via masking
shape-outsideDefines a shape that adjacent inline content should wrap around
visibilityShows or hides an element without changing the document layout
Explore More CSS Properties
Browse our complete reference of 251 CSS properties with syntax, examples, and tips.