pathLength

The `pathLength` attribute lets authors specify a total length for the path, in user units. This value is then used to calibrate the browser's distance calculations with those of the author, by scaling all distance computations using the ratio `pathLength`/(computed value of path length).

This can affect the actual rendered lengths of paths; including text paths, animation paths, and various stroke operations. Basically, all computations that require the length of the path. `stroke-dasharray`, for example, will assume the start of the path being 0 and the end point the value defined in the `pathLength` attribute.

Seven elements are using this attribute: `<circle>`, `<ellipse>`, `<line>`, `<path>`, `<polygon>`, `<polyline>`, and `<rect>`

```<svg viewBox="0 0 100 60" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
<style>
path {
fill: none;
stroke: black;
stroke-width: 2;
stroke-dasharray: 10;
}
</style>

<!-- No pathLength, the real length of the path is used. In that case, 100 user units -->
<path d="M 0,10 h100"/>

<!-- compute everything like if the path length was 90 user units long -->
<path d="M 0,20 h100" pathLength="90"/>

<!-- compute everything like if the path length was 50 user units long -->
<path d="M 0,30 h100" pathLength="50"/>

<!-- compute everything like if the path length was 30 user units long -->
<path d="M 0,40 h100" pathLength="30"/>

<!-- compute everything like if the path length was 10 user units long -->
<path d="M 0,50 h100" pathLength="10"/>
</svg>```

circle

For `<circle>`, `pathLength` lets authors specify a total length for the circle, in user units.

Value none Yes

ellipse

For `<ellipse>`, `pathLength` lets authors specify a total length for the ellipse, in user units.

Value none Yes

line

For `<line>`, `pathLength` lets authors specify a total length for the line, in user units.

Value none Yes

path

For `<path>`, `pathLength` lets authors specify a total length for the path, in user units.

Value none Yes

polygon

For `<polygon>`, `pathLength` lets authors specify a total length for the shape, in user units.

Value none Yes

polyline

For `<polyline>`, `pathLength` lets authors specify a total length for the shape, in user units.

Value none Yes

rect

For `<rect>`, `pathLength` lets authors specify a total length for the rectangle, in user units.

Value none Yes

Specification

Specification Status Comment
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 2
The definition of 'pathLength' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 1.1 (Second Edition)
The definition of 'pathLength' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition