# CanvasRenderingContext2D.setTransform()

The CanvasRenderingContext2D.setTransform() method of the Canvas 2D API resets (overrides) the current transformation to the identity matrix, and then invokes a transformation described by the arguments of this method. This lets you scale, rotate, translate (move), and skew the context.

Note: See also the transform() method; instead of overriding the current transform matrix, it multiplies it with a given one.

## Syntax

ctx.setTransform(a, b, c, d, e, f);
ctx.setTransform(matrix);


The transformation matrix is described by: $\left\left[ \begin\left\{array\right\}\left\{ccc\right\} a & c & e \\ b & d & f \\ 0 & 0 & 1 \end\left\{array\right\} \right\right]$

### Parameters

setTransform() has two types of parameter that it can accept. The older type consists of several parameters representing the individual components of the transformation matrix to set:

a (m11)
Horizontal scaling. A value of 1 results in no scaling.
b (m12)
Vertical skewing.
c (m21)
Horizontal skewing.
d (m22)
Vertical scaling. A value of 1 results in no scaling.
e (dx)
Horizontal translation (moving).
f (dy)
Vertical translation (moving).

The newer type consists of a single parameter, matrix, representing a 2D transformation matrix to set (technically, a DOMMatrixInit object; any object will do as long as it contains the above components as properties).

## Examples

### Skewing a shape

This example skews a rectangle both vertically (.2) and horizontally (.8). Scaling and translation remain unchanged.

#### HTML

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


#### JavaScript

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

ctx.setTransform(1, .2, .8, 1, 0, 0);
ctx.fillRect(0, 0, 100, 100);


### Retrieving and passing a DOMMatrix object

In the following example, we have two <canvas> elements. We apply a transform to the first one's context using the first type of setTransform() and draw a square on it, then retrieve the matrix from it using CanvasRenderingContext2D.getTransform().

We then apply the retrieved matrix directly to the second canvas context by passing the DOMMatrix object directly to setTransform() (i.e. the second type), and draw a circle on it.

#### HTML

<canvas width="240"></canvas>
<canvas width="240"></canvas>


#### CSS

canvas {
border: 1px solid black;
}

#### JavaScript

const canvases = document.querySelectorAll('canvas');
const ctx1 = canvases[0].getContext('2d');
const ctx2 = canvases[1].getContext('2d');

ctx1.setTransform(1, .2, .8, 1, 0, 0);
ctx1.fillRect(25, 25, 50, 50);

let storedTransform = ctx1.getTransform();
console.log(storedTransform);

ctx2.setTransform(storedTransform);
ctx2.beginPath();
ctx2.arc(50, 50, 50, 0, 2 * Math.PI);
ctx2.fill();

## Specifications

Specification Status Comment
HTML Living Standard
The definition of 'CanvasRenderingContext2D.setTransform' in that specification.
Living Standard

## Browser compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub
Desktop Mobile Chrome Edge Firefox Internet Explorer Opera Safari Android webview Chrome for Android Firefox for Android Opera for Android Chrome Full support Yes Edge Full support 12 Firefox Full support 3 IE Full support Yes Opera Full support Yes Safari Full support Yes WebView Android Full support Yes Chrome Android Full support Yes Firefox Android Full support 4 Opera Android Full support Yes Safari iOS Full support Yes Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes Chrome Full support 68 Edge Full support 79 Firefox Full support 70 IE No support No Opera Full support 55 Safari Full support 11 WebView Android Full support 68 Chrome Android Full support 68 Firefox Android No support No Opera Android Full support 48 Safari iOS Full support 11 Samsung Internet Android Full support 10.0

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