# d

The `d` attribute provides a path definition to be drawn.

A path definition is a list of path commands where each command is made of a letter and some numbers representing the parameter of the command. All possible commands are details below.

Three elements are using this attribute: `<path>`, `<glyph>`, and `<missing-glyph>`

```<svg viewBox="0 0 100 100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
<path fill="none" stroke="red"
d="M 10,30
A 20,20 0,0,1 50,30
A 20,20 0,0,1 90,30
Q 90,60 50,90
Q 10,60 10,30 z" />
</svg>```

## path

For `<path>`, `d` is a string containing a series of path commands that define the path to be drawn.

Value none Yes

## glyph

Warning: As of SVG2 `<glyph>` is deprecated and shouldn't be used.

For `<glyph>`, `d` is a string containing a series of path commands that define the outline shape of the glyph.

Value none Yes

Note: The point of origin (the coordinate `0`,`0`) is usually the upper left corner of the context. However the `<glyph>` element has its origin in the bottom left corner of its letterbox.

## missing-glyph

Warning: As of SVG2 `<missing-glyph>` is deprecated and shouldn't be used.

For `<missing-glyph>`, `d` is a string containing a series of path commands that define the outline shape of the glyph.

Value none Yes

## Path commands

Path commands are instruction that, once combined together in a single string, defines a path to be drawn. Each command is made of a letter follow by some numbers that represent the command parameters.

SVG defines 6 type of path command for a total of 20 commands:

• MoveTo: `M`, `m`
• LineTo: `L`, `l`, `H`, `h`, `V`, `v`
• Cubic Bézier Curve: `C`, `c`, `S`, `s`
• Quadratic Bézier Curve: `Q`, `q`, `T`, `t`
• Elliptical Arc Curve: `A`, `a`
• ClosePath: `Z`, `z`

Note: Commands are case-sensitive; an upper-case command specifies its arguments as absolute positions, while a lower-case command specified points relative to the current position.

It is always possible to specify a negative value as an argument to a command: negative angles will be anti-clockwise, absolute x and y positions will be taken as negative coordinates, negative relative x values will move to the left, and negative relative y values will move upwards.

### MoveTo path commands

MoveTo instructions can be thought of as picking up the drawing instrument, and setting it down somewhere else. There is no line drawn between the previous point and the specified point.

Note: It is good practice to open all paths with a moveto command, because without an initial moveto, commands will be executed with the starting point, wherever this was previously, possibly resulting in undefined behaviour.

Command Parameters Notes
M (`x`, `y`)+ Move the begining of the next subpath to the coordinate `x`,`y`. All subsequente pair of coordinates are considered implicite absolute LineTo (`L`) command (see below).
m (`dx`, `dy`)+ Move the begining of the next subpath by shifting the last known position of the path by `dx` along the x-axis and `dy` along the y-axis. All subsequente pair of coordinates are considered implicite relative LineTo (`l`) command (see below).

#### Examples

```<svg viewBox="0 0 100 100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
<path fill="none" stroke="red"
d="M 10,10 h 10
m  0,10 h 10
m  0,10 h 10
M 40,20 h 10
m  0,10 h 10
m  0,10 h 10
m  0,10 h 10
M 50,50 h 10
m-20,10 h 10
m-20,10 h 10
m-20,10 h 10" />
</svg>```

### LineTo path commands

LineTo instructions draw a straight line from the current position, to the specified location.

Command Parameters Notes
L (`x`, `y`)+ Draw a line from the current point to the coordinate `x`,`y`. The coordinate `x`,`y` become the new current point for the next command. All subsequente pair of coordinates are considered implicite absolute LineTo (`L`) command.
l (`dx`, `dy`)+ Draw a line from the current point to a point for which coordinates are those of the current point shifted by `dx` along the x-axis and `dy` along the y-axis. The current point gets its X and Y coordinates shifted by `dx` and `dy` for the next command. All usubsequente pair of coordinates are considered implicite relative LineTo (`l`) command (see below).
H `x`+ Draw a horizontal line from the current point to the new `x` coordinate (y coordinate stay unchanged). The current point get its x coordinate updated for the next command. All subsequente value are considered an implicite absolute horizontal LineTo (`H`) command.
h `dx`+ Draw a horizontal line from the current point to a point shift by `dx` along the the x-axis (y coordinate stay unchanged). The current point get its X coordinate updated by `dx` for the next command. All subsequente value are considered an implicite relative horizontal LineTo (`h`) command.
V `y`+ Draw a vertical line from the current point to the new `y` coordinate (x coordinate stay unchanged). The current point get its y coordinate updated for the next command. All subsequente value are considered an implicite absolute vertical LineTo (`V`) command.
v `dy`+ Draw a vertical line from the current point to a point shift by `dy` along the y-axis (x coordinate stay unchanged). The current point get its Y coordinate updated by `dy` for the next command. All subsequente value are considered an implicite relative vertical LineTo (`v`) command.

#### Examples

```<svg viewBox="0 0 200 100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
<!-- LineTo commands in absolute coordinates -->
<path fill="none" stroke="red"
d="M 10,10
L 90,90
V 10
H 50" />

<!-- LineTo commands in relative coordinates -->
<path fill="none" stroke="red"
d="M 110,10
l 80,80
v -80
h -40" />
</svg>```

### Cubic Bézier Curve

Cubic Bézier curves are smooth curve definitions using four points: A starting point, a end point, and two control points to define the curvature.

Command Parameters Notes
C (`x1`,`y1`, `x2`,`y2`, `x`,`y`)+ Draw a Bézier curve from the current point to the coordinate `x`,`y`. `x1`,`y1` are the coordinates of the control point at the begining of the curve where `x2`,`y2` are the coordinates of the controle point at the end of the curve. The coordinate `x`,`y` become the new current point for the next command. All subsequente triplets of coordinates are considered implicite absolute cubic Bézier curve (`C`) command.
c (`dx1`,`dy1`, `dx2`,`dy2`, `dx`,`dy`)+ Draw a Bézier curve from the current point to a point for which coordinates are those of the current point shifted by `dx` along the x-axis and `dy` along the y-axis. `dx1`,`dy1` are the coordinates of the control point at the beginning of the curve relative to the starting point of the curve and `dx2`,`dy2` are the coordinates of the controle point at the end of the curve relative to the starting point of the curve. The current point gets its X and Y coordinates shifted by `dx` and `dy` for the next command. All subsequente triplets of coordinates are considered implicite relative cubic Bézier curve (`c`) command.
S (`x2`,`y2`, `x`,`y`)+ Draw a smooth Bézier curve from the current point to the coordinate `x`,`y`. `x2`,`y2` are the coordinates of the controle point at the end of the curve. The controle point at the begining of the curve is a reflexion of the controle points at the end of the previous curve command. If the previous command wasn't a curve, then the coordinate of the controle point at the begining of the curve match those of the curve starting point. The coordinate `x`,`y` become the new current point for the next command. All subsequente duo of coordinates are considered implicite absolute smooth cubic Bézier curve (`S`) command.
s (`dx2`,`dy2`, `dx`,`dy`)+ Draw a smooth Bézier curve from the current point to a point for which coordinates are those of the current point shifted by `dx` along the x-axis and `dy` along the y-axis. `dx2`,`dy2` are the coordinates of the controle point at the end of the curve relative to the starting point of the curve. The controle point at the begining of the curve is a reflexion of the controle points at the end of the previous curve command. If the previous command wasn't a curve, then the coordinate of the controle point at the begining of the curve match those of the curve starting point. The current point gets its X and Y coordinates shifted by `dx` and `dy` for the next command. All subsequente duo of coordinates are considered implicite relative smooth cubic Bézier curve (`s`) command.

#### Examples

```<svg viewBox="0 0 200 100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">

<!-- Quadratic Bézier curve with absolute coordinate -->
<path fill="none" stroke="red"
d="M 10,90
C 30,90 25,10 50,10
S 70,90 90,90" />

<!-- Quadratic Bézier curve with relative coordinate -->
<path fill="none" stroke="red"
d="M 110,90
c 20,0 15,-80 40,-80
s 20,80 40,80" />

<!-- Highlight the curve vertex and control points -->
<g id="ControlPoints">

<!-- First cubic command control points -->
<line x1="10" y1="90" x2="30" y2="90" stroke="lightgrey" />
<circle cx="30" cy="90" r="1.5"/>

<line x1="50" y1="10" x2="25" y2="10" stroke="lightgrey" />
<circle cx="25" cy="10" r="1.5"/>

<!-- Second smooth command control points (the first one is implicite) -->
<line x1="50" y1="10" x2="75" y2="10" stroke="lightgrey" stroke-dasharray="2" />
<circle cx="75" cy="10" r="1.5" fill="lightgrey"/>

<line x1="90" y1="90" x2="70" y2="90" stroke="lightgrey" />
<circle cx="70" cy="90" r="1.5" />

<!-- curve vertex points -->
<circle cx="10" cy="90" r="1.5"/>
<circle cx="50" cy="10" r="1.5"/>
<circle cx="90" cy="90" r="1.5"/>
</g>
<use xlink:href="#ControlPoints" x="100" />
</svg>```

### Quadratic Bézier Curve

Quadratic Bézier curves are smooth curve definitions using three points: A starting point, a end point, and a control point to define the curvature.

Command Parameters Notes
Q (`x1`,`y1`, `x`,`y`)+ Draw a Bézier curve from the current point to the coordinate `x`,`y`. `x1`,`y1` are the coordinates of the control point for the curve. The coordinate `x`,`y` become the new current point for the next command. All subsequente duo of coordinates are considered implicite absolute quadratic Bézier curve (`Q`) command.
q (`dx1`,`dy1`, `dx`,`dy`)+ Draw a Bézier curve from the current point to a point for which coordinates are those of the current point shifted by `dx` along the x-axis and `dy` along the y-axis. `dx1`,`dy1` are the coordinates of the control point for the curve relative to the starting point of the curve. The current point gets its X and Y coordinates shifted by `dx` and `dy` for the next command. All subsequente duo of coordinates are considered implicite relative quadratic Bézier curve (`q`) command.
T (`x`,`y`)+ Draw a smooth Bézier curve from the current point to the coordinate `x`,`y`. The controle point for the curve is a reflexion of the controle points at the end of the previous curve command. If the previous command wasn't a curve, then the coordinate of the controle point at the begining of the curve match those of the curve starting point. The coordinate `x`,`y` become the new current point for the next command. All subsequente coordinates are considered implicite absolute smooth quadratic Bézier curve (`T`) command.
t (`dx`,`dy`)+ Draw a smooth Bézier curve from the current point to a point for which coordinates are those of the current point shifted by `dx` along the x-axis and `dy` along the y-axis. The controle point for the curve is a reflexion of the controle points at the end of the previous curve command. If the previous command wasn't a curve, then the coordinate of the controle point at the begining of the curve match those of the curve starting point. The current point gets its X and Y coordinates shifted by `dx` and `dy` for the next command. All subsequente coordinates are considered implicite relative smooth quadratic Bézier curve (`t`) command.

#### Examples

```<svg viewBox="0 0 200 100" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">

<!-- Quadratic Bézier curve with implicite repetition -->
<path fill="none" stroke="red"
d="M 10,50
Q 25,25 40,50
t 30,0 30,0 30,0 30,0 30,0" />

<!-- Highlight the curve vertex and control points -->
<g>
<polyline points="10,50 25,25 40,50" stroke="rgba(0,0,0,.2)" fill="none" />
<circle cx="25" cy="25" r="1.5" />

<!-- curve vertex points -->
<circle cx="10" cy="50" r="1.5"/>
<circle cx="40" cy="50" r="1.5"/>

<g id="SmoothQuadraticDown">
<polyline points="40,50 55,75 70,50" stroke="rgba(0,0,0,.2)" stroke-dasharray="2" fill="none" />
<circle cx="55" cy="75" r="1.5" fill="lightgrey" />
<circle cx="70" cy="50" r="1.5" />
</g>

<g id="SmoothQuadraticUp">
<polyline points="70,50 85,25 100,50" stroke="rgba(0,0,0,.2)" stroke-dasharray="2" fill="none" />
<circle cx="85" cy="25" r="1.5" fill="lightgrey" />
<circle cx="100" cy="50" r="1.5" />
</g>

<use xlink:href="#SmoothQuadraticDown" x="60" />
<use xlink:href="#SmoothQuadraticUp"   x="60" />
<use xlink:href="#SmoothQuadraticDown" x="120" />
</g>
</svg>```

### Elliptical Arc Curve

Elliptical arc curves are curves define as a portion of an ellipse. It is sometimes easier than Bézier curve to draw highly regular curves.

Command Parameters Notes
A (`rx` `ry` `angle` `large-arc-flag` `sweep-flag` `x` `y`)+

Draw an Arc curve from the current point to the coordinate `x`,`y`. The center of the ellipse used to draw the arc is determine automatically based on the other parameters of the command:

• `rx` and `ry` are the two radii of the ellipse;
• `angle` represente a rotation (in degree) of the ellipse relative to the x-axis;
• `large-arc-flag` and `sweep-flag` allows to chose which arc must be drawn as 4 possible arcs can be drawn out of the other parameters.
• `large-arc-flag` allows to chose one of the large arc (1) or small arc (0),
• `sweep-flag` allows to chose one of the clockwise turning arc (1) or anticlockwise turning arc (0)
The coordinate `x`,`y` become the new current point for the next command. All subsequente set of parameters are considered implicite absolute arc curve (`A`) command.
a (`rx` `ry` `angle` `large-arc-flag` `sweep-flag` `dx` `dy`)+

Draw an Arc curve from the current point to to a point for which coordinates are those of the current point shifted by `dx` along the x-axis and `dy` along the y-axis. The center of the ellipse used to draw the arc is determine automatically based on the other parameters of the command:

• `rx` and `ry` are the two radii of the ellipse;
• `angle` represente a rotation (in degree) of the ellipse relative to the x-axis;
• `large-arc-flag` and `sweep-flag` allows to chose which arc must be drawn as 4 possible arcs can be drawn out of the other parameters.
• `large-arc-flag` allows to chose one of the large arc (1) or small arc (0),
• `sweep-flag` allows to chose one of the clockwise turning arc (1) or anticlockwise turning arc (0)
The current point gets its X and Y coordinates shifted by `dx` and `dy` for the next command. All subsequente set of parameters are considered implicite relative arc curve (`a`) command.

#### Examples

```<svg viewBox="0 0 20 20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">

<!-- The influence of the arc flags on which arc is drawn -->
<path fill="none" stroke="red"
d="M 6,10
A 6 4 10 1 0 14,10" />

<path fill="none" stroke="lime"
d="M 6,10
A 6 4 10 1 1 14,10" />

<path fill="none" stroke="purple"
d="M 6,10
A 6 4 10 0 1 14,10" />

<path fill="none" stroke="pink"
d="M 6,10
A 6 4 10 0 0 14,10" />
</svg>```

### ClosePath

ClosePath instructions draw a straight line from the current position, to the first point in the path.

Command Parameters Notes
Z, z   Close the curent subpath by connecting the last point of the path with its initial point. If the two points doesn't have the same coordinates, a straight line is drawn between those two points.

Note: The appearance of a shape closed with closepath may be different to that of one closed by drawing a line to the origin, using one of the other commands, because the line ends are joined together (according to the `stroke-linejoin` setting), rather than just being placed at the same coordinates.

#### Examples

```<svg viewBox="0 -1 30 11" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">

<!--
An open shape with the last point of
the path different than the first one
-->
<path stroke="red"
d="M 5,1
l -4,8 8,0" />

<!--
An open shape with the last point of
the path matching the first one
-->
<path stroke="red"
d="M 15,1
l -4,8 8,0 -4,-8" />

<!--
An closed shape with the last point of
the path different than the first one
-->
<path stroke="red"
d="M 25,1
l -4,8 8,0
z" />
</svg>```

## Specification

Specification Status Comment
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 2
The definition of 'd' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation Definition for `<path>`
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 1.1 (Second Edition)
The definition of 'd' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition for `<glyph>` and `<missing-glyph>`
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 1.1 (Second Edition)
The definition of 'd' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition for `<path>`

## Document Tags and Contributors

Tags:
Last updated by: juwanpetty,