path()

The path() CSS function accepts an SVG path string, and is used in the CSS shapes and CSS motion path modules to enable a shape to be drawn. The path() function is a <basic-shape> data type value. It can be used in the CSS offset-path and clip-path properties and in the SVG d attribute.

There are some limitations to using the path() function. The path has to be defined as a single string, so a custom path can't be created using variables (var() functions). Also, all the lengths in the path are implicitly defined in pixel (px) units; other units can't be used. The shape() function offers more flexibility than the path() function.

Try it

Syntax

When used in offset-path or d:

css
path(<string>)

When used in clip-path:

css
path( [<fill-rule>,]? <string> )

Parameters

<fill-rule> Optional

Defines what parts of the path are inside the shape. The possible values include:

  • nonzero: A point is considered inside the shape if a ray drawn from the point crosses more left-to-right than right-to-left path segments, resulting in a non-zero count. This is the default value when <fill-rule> is omitted.

  • evenodd: A point is considered to be inside the shape if a ray drawn from the point crosses an odd number of path segments. This means that for each time the ray enters the shape, it has not exited an equal number of times, indicating an odd count of entries without corresponding exits.

Warning: <fill-rule> is not supported in offset-path and using it invalidates the property.

<string>

A data string, contained in quotes, which defines an SVG path. The SVG path data string contains path commands that implicitly use pixel units. An empty path is considered invalid.

Return value

Returns a <basic-shape> value.

Formal syntax

<path()> = 
  path( <'fill-rule'>? , <string> )  

<fill-rule> = 
  nonzero  |
  evenodd

Examples

Examples of correct values for path()

css
path("M 10 80 C 40 10, 65 10, 95 80 S 150 150, 180 80");
path(evenodd,"M 10 80 C 40 10, 65 10, 95 80 S 150 150, 180 80");

Using a path() function as an offset-path value

A path() function has been provided as an offset-path value in the following example to create an elliptical path for a ball to move along.

html
<div id="path">
  <div id="ball"></div>
</div>
<button>animate</button>
css
#path {
  margin: 40px;
  width: 400px;
  height: 200px;

  /* draw the gray ramp */
  background: radial-gradient(at 50% 0%, transparent 70%, grey 70%, grey 100%);
}

#ball {
  width: 30px;
  height: 30px;
  background-color: red;
  border-radius: 50%;

  /* mark the elliptical path */
  offset-path: path("M 15 15 A 6 5.5 10 0 0 385 15");
}
js
const btn = document.querySelector("button");
const ball = document.getElementById("ball");

btn.addEventListener("click", () => {
  btn.setAttribute("disabled", true);
  setTimeout(() => btn.removeAttribute("disabled"), 6000);

  ball.animate(
    // animate the offset path
    { offsetDistance: [0, "100%"] },
    {
      duration: 1500,
      iterations: 4,
      easing: "cubic-bezier(.667,0.01,.333,.99)",
      direction: "alternate",
    },
  );
});

Modify the value of the SVG path d attribute

The path() can be used to modify the value of the SVG d attribute, which can also be set to none in your CSS.

The "V" symbol will flip vertically when you hover over it, if d is supported as a CSS property.

CSS

css
html,
body,
svg {
  height: 100%;
}

/* This path is displayed on hover*/
#svg_css_ex1:hover path {
  d: path("M20,80 L50,20 L80,80");
}

HTML

html
<svg id="svg_css_ex1" viewBox="0 0 100 100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
  <path fill="none" stroke="red" d="M20,20 L50,80 L80,20" />
</svg>

Result

Specifications

Specification
CSS Shapes Module Level 1
# funcdef-basic-shape-path

Browser compatibility

BCD tables only load in the browser

See also