CSS mask Property
Shorthand for all mask properties allowing you to hide portions of an element via masking
Syntax
mask: <mask-image> <mask-position> / <mask-size> <mask-repeat> <mask-origin> <mask-clip> <mask-mode>;Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| none | No mask (default) |
| url() center/cover | Image mask centered and covering |
| linear-gradient() | Gradient mask |
Example
.fade-edges {
mask: linear-gradient(to right, transparent, black 10%, black 90%, transparent);
-webkit-mask: linear-gradient(to right, transparent, black 10%, black 90%, transparent);
}Understanding CSS mask
The CSS mask property shorthand for all mask properties allowing you to hide portions of an element via masking. As part of the Mask module in CSS, it is one of the most commonly used properties for controlling the visual presentation of web pages.
You can set mask to values such as none, url() center/cover, linear-gradient(), 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 mask property include responsive web design, component-based layouts, and creating visually consistent interfaces across devices. It works closely with related properties like mask-image, mask-size, mask-repeat to achieve complex styling effects. Understanding how these properties interact helps you write cleaner, more maintainable stylesheets.
Browser support for mask 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.mask or the CSS custom properties (variables) approach for theming.
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