CSS Clip Path: Syntax, Usage, and Examples

The CSS clip-path property defines which parts of an element remain visible while hiding the rest. Developers use it to create unique shapes, mask images, and animate UI elements without modifying HTML structure. This property allows for creative layouts and interactive designs in frontend and web development.

How to Use the CSS Clip Path Property

The clip-path property works by setting a shape that clips an element. You can use basic shapes like circles, polygons, and ellipses, or define custom clipping paths with SVG. Here’s the general syntax:

element {
  clip-path: shape-type(arguments);
}

This property can be applied to any element, whether it’s an image (img), a div, or a heading. Pairing it with properties like background-color, opacity, or border-radius opens up even more possibilities for expressive design.

Clipping an Element into a Circle

.circle-clip {
  width: 200px;
  height: 200px;
  background: blue;
  clip-path: circle(50%);
}

This code trims the element into a perfect circle, keeping only the area inside the shape visible. You can apply this effect to a div class used for user avatars or cards.

Using Polygonal Clipping

You can define complex shapes using the polygon() function.

.triangle-clip {
  width: 150px;
  height: 150px;
  background: red;
  clip-path: polygon(50% 0%, 0% 100%, 100% 100%);
}

This example creates a triangle by specifying three points in a percentage-based coordinate system, often controlled using selectors to target specific components.

When to Use the CSS Clip Path Property

Creating Non-Rectangular Layouts

Standard HTML elements default to a rectangular shape. The clip-path property allows designers to break this convention by shaping elements into circles, hexagons, and other forms.

.hexagon-clip {
  width: 250px;
  height: 250px;
  background: purple;
  clip-path: polygon(25% 0%, 75% 0%, 100% 50%, 75% 100%, 25% 100%, 0% 50%);
}

This technique is useful for avatars, buttons, or section dividers. You can enhance it with box-shadow or border-radius for more depth.

Animating Elements with Clip Path

Using CSS animations, you can transition between different clip-path shapes to create engaging effects.

@keyframes reveal {
  from {
    clip-path: circle(0%);
  }
  to {
    clip-path: circle(50%);
  }
}

.animated-clip {
  width: 200px;
  height: 200px;
  background: green;
  animation: reveal 2s ease-in-out forwards;
}

This animation smoothly expands the clipped area, progressively revealing the content. You can even trigger this animation using JavaScript to enhance interactivity.

Masking Images Dynamically

You can apply clip-path to images to shape them dynamically without modifying the original file.

.image-clip {
  width: 300px;
  height: 200px;
  background: url('image.jpg') center/cover;
  clip-path: ellipse(50% 40%);
}

This approach provides a flexible alternative to cropping images in Photoshop or other graphic design tools. It’s especially useful when building reusable components in a template or content block.

Examples of CSS Clip Path in Action

Creating Diagonal Section Transitions

By applying clip-path to section dividers, you can create dynamic page transitions.

.section-divider {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100px;
  background: orange;
  clip-path: polygon(0 100%, 100% 0%, 100% 100%);
}

This works well when paired with a background image and can be enhanced with a slight opacity or box-shadow for a layered look.

Clipping Borders for a Stylized Effect

Instead of a conventional rectangular border, you can clip parts of it to create unique edge effects.

.border-clip {
  width: 200px;
  height: 100px;
  background: lightblue;
  border: 5px solid black;
  clip-path: inset(10px round 20px);
}

This example trims the border and rounds the clipped corners. Add border-radius or a drop box-shadow to emphasize the style. Keep an eye on browser support, especially for rounded inset clipping.

Applying Hover Effects with Clip Path

You can change an element’s shape when a user hovers over it.

.hover-clip {
  width: 200px;
  height: 100px;
  background: orange;
  transition: clip-path 0.3s ease;
}

.hover-clip:hover {
  clip-path: polygon(10% 0%, 90% 0%, 100% 50%, 90% 100%, 10% 100%, 0% 50%);
}

This hover effect creates an engaging UI experience. It’s often used on card components or image overlays within the viewport.

Learn More About CSS Clip Path

Understanding Clip Path Coordinates

Clip-path values use a coordinate system where (0 0) represents the top-left corner and (100% 100%) represents the bottom-right. Using percentages ensures responsiveness across different screen sizes.

.responsive-clip {
  clip-path: polygon(10% 10%, 90% 10%, 90% 90%, 10% 90%);
}

This allows you to create responsive shapes that adjust within the viewport, making them ideal for mobile-first web development.

Controlling the Clip Path Origin

The clip-path-origin property determines whether the clipping path aligns with the content box, padding box, or border box.

.origin-clip {
  clip-path: circle(40%);
  clip-path-origin: content-box;
}

Using SVG Paths for Advanced Clipping

You can reference an SVG clipping path inside a CSS file.

svg {
  width: 200px;
  height: 200px;
  clip-path: url(#custom-shape);
}

This method allows for intricate shapes and masks.

Optimizing Clip Path for Performance

Complex clipping paths can slow down rendering, especially in animations. Use simpler shapes and hardware-accelerated transitions whenever possible to maintain smooth performance.

The clip-path property provides a powerful way to manipulate element visibility, enabling innovative designs without extra HTML elements. Experiment with different values to achieve visually engaging effects.