CanvasRenderingContext2D.setLineDash()

The setLineDash() method of the Canvas 2D API's CanvasRenderingContext2D interface sets the line dash pattern used when stroking lines. It uses an array of values that specify alternating lengths of lines and gaps which describe the pattern.

Syntax

ctx.setLineDash(segments);

Parameters

segments

An Array of numbers that specify distances to alternately draw a line and a gap (in coordinate space units). If the number of elements in the array is odd, the elements of the array get copied and concatenated. For example, [5, 15, 25] will become [5, 15, 25, 5, 15, 25]. If the array is empty, the line dash list is cleared and line strokes return to being solid.

Return value

undefined.

Examples

Basic example

This example uses the setLineDash() method to draw a dashed line above a solid line.

HTML

<canvas id="canvas"></canvas>

JavaScript

const canvas = document.getElementById('canvas');
const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');

// Dashed line
ctx.beginPath();
ctx.setLineDash([5, 15]);
ctx.moveTo(0, 50);
ctx.lineTo(300, 50);
ctx.stroke();

// Solid line
ctx.beginPath();
ctx.setLineDash([]);
ctx.moveTo(0, 100);
ctx.lineTo(300, 100);
ctx.stroke();

Result

Some common patterns

This example illustrates a variety of common line dash patterns.

HTML

<canvas id="canvas"></canvas>

JavaScript

The drawDashedLine() function created below makes the drawing of multiple dashed lines simple. It receives a pattern array as its only parameter.

function drawDashedLine(pattern) {
  ctx.beginPath();
  ctx.setLineDash(pattern);
  ctx.moveTo(0, y);
  ctx.lineTo(300, y);
  ctx.stroke();
  y += 20;
}

const canvas = document.getElementById('canvas');
const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
let y = 15;

drawDashedLine([]);
drawDashedLine([1, 1]);
drawDashedLine([10, 10]);
drawDashedLine([20, 5]);
drawDashedLine([15, 3, 3, 3]);
drawDashedLine([20, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3]);
drawDashedLine([12, 3, 3]);  // Equals [12, 3, 3, 12, 3, 3]

Result

Specifications

Browser compatibility

Gecko-specific notes

• Starting with Gecko 7.0 (Firefox 7.0 / Thunderbird 7.0 / SeaMonkey 2.4), the non-standard and deprecated property mozDash has been implemented to set and get a dash list. This property will be deprecated and removed in the future, see bug 931389. Use setLineDash() instead.

WebKit-specific notes

• In WebKit-based browsers (e.g., Safari), the non-standard and deprecated property webkitLineDash is implemented besides this method. Use setLineDash() instead.

See also

• The interface defining this method: CanvasRenderingContext2D
• CanvasRenderingContext2D.getLineDash()
• CanvasRenderingContext2D.lineDashOffset