filter

The filter CSS property applies graphical effects like blur or color shift to an element. Filters are commonly used to adjust the rendering of images, backgrounds, and borders.

Several functions, such as blur() and contrast(), are available to help you achieve predefined effects.

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Syntax

css
/* <filter-function> values */
filter: blur(5px);
filter: brightness(0.4);
filter: contrast(200%);
filter: drop-shadow(16px 16px 20px blue);
filter: grayscale(50%);
filter: hue-rotate(90deg);
filter: invert(75%);
filter: opacity(25%);
filter: saturate(30%);
filter: sepia(60%);

/* URL */
filter: url("filters.svg#filter-id");

/* Multiple filters */
filter: contrast(175%) brightness(3%);
filter: drop-shadow(3px 3px red) sepia(100%) drop-shadow(-3px -3px blue);

/* Use no filter */
filter: none;

/* Global values */
filter: inherit;
filter: initial;
filter: revert;
filter: revert-layer;
filter: unset;

With a function, use the following:

css
filter: <filter-function> [<filter-function>]* | none;

You can use url() to reference an SVG filter element. For a reference to an SVG <filter> element, use the following syntax:

css
filter: url(file.svg#filter-element-id);

Functions

The filter property is specified as none or one or more of the functions listed below. If the parameter for any function is invalid, the function returns none. Except where noted, the functions that take a value expressed with a percent sign (as in 34%) also accept the value expressed as decimal (as in 0.34).

When the filter property values contains multiple functions, the filters are applied in order.

blur()

Applies a Gaussian blur to the input image.

css
filter: blur(5px);
brightness()

Applies a linear multiplier to the input image, making it appear more or less bright. Values are linear multipliers on the effect, with 0% creating a completely black image, 100% having no effect, and values over 100% brightening the image.

css
filter: brightness(2);
contrast()

Adjusts the contrast of the input image. A value of 0% makes the image grey, 100% has no effect, and values over 100% create a contrast.

css
filter: contrast(200%);
drop-shadow()

Applies the parameter <shadow> as a drop shadow, following the contours of the image. The shadow syntax is similar to <box-shadow> (defined in the CSS backgrounds and borders module), with the exception that the inset keyword and spread parameter are not allowed. As with all filter property values, any filters after the drop-shadow() are applied to the shadow.

css
filter: drop-shadow(16px 16px 10px black);
grayscale()

Converts the image to grayscale. A value of 100% is completely grayscale. The initial value of 0% leaves the input unchanged. Values between 0% and 100% produce linear multipliers on the effect.

css
filter: grayscale(100%);
hue-rotate()

Applies a hue rotation. The <angle> value defines the number of degrees around the hue color circle at which the input samples will be adjusted. A value of 0deg leaves the input unchanged.

css
filter: hue-rotate(90deg);
invert()

Inverts the samples in the input image. A value of 100% completely inverts the image. A value of 0% leaves the input unchanged. Values between 0% and 100% have linear multipliers on the effect.

css
filter: invert(100%);
opacity()

Applies transparency. 0% makes the image completely transparent and 100% leaves the image unchanged.

css
filter: opacity(50%);
saturate()

Saturates the image, with 0% being completely unsaturated, 100% leaving the image unchanged, and values of over 100% increasing saturation.

css
filter: saturate(200%);
sepia()

Converts the image to sepia, with a value of 100% making the image completely sepia and 0% making no change.

css
filter: sepia(100%);

Combining functions

You may combine any number of functions to manipulate the rendering. The filters are applied in the order declared. The following example enhances the contrast and brightness of the image:

css
filter: contrast(175%) brightness(103%);

Interpolation

When animated, if both the beginning and end filters have a function list of the same length without <url> in the same order, each of their filter functions is interpolated according to the filter function's specific rules.

If the filter lists are of different lengths, the missing equivalent filter functions from the longer list are added to the end of the shorter list. The added functions use their initial, no filter modification values. All the filters listed are then interpolated according to the filter function's specific rules. Otherwise, discrete interpolation is used.

Formal definition

Initial valuenone
Applies toall elements; In SVG, it applies to container elements excluding the <defs> element and all graphics elements
Inheritedno
Computed valueas specified
Animation typea filter function list

Formal syntax

filter = 
  none                 |
  <filter-value-list>  

<filter-value-list> = 
  [ <filter-function> | <url> ]+  

<filter-function> = 
  <blur()>         |
  <brightness()>   |
  <contrast()>     |
  <drop-shadow()>  |
  <grayscale()>    |
  <hue-rotate()>   |
  <invert()>       |
  <opacity()>      |
  <sepia()>        |
  <saturate()>     

<url> = 
  <url()>  |
  <src()>  

<blur()> = 
  blur( <length>? )  

<brightness()> = 
  brightness( [ <number> | <percentage> ]? )  

<contrast()> = 
  contrast( [ <number> | <percentage> ]? )  

<drop-shadow()> = 
  drop-shadow( [ <color>? && <length>{2,3} ] )  

<grayscale()> = 
  grayscale( [ <number> | <percentage> ]? )  

<hue-rotate()> = 
  hue-rotate( [ <angle> | <zero> ]? )  

<invert()> = 
  invert( [ <number> | <percentage> ]? )  

<opacity()> = 
  opacity( [ <number> | <percentage> ]? )  

<sepia()> = 
  sepia( [ <number> | <percentage> ]? )  

<saturate()> = 
  saturate( [ <number> | <percentage> ]? )  

<url()> = 
  url( <string> <url-modifier>* )  |
  <url-token>                      

<src()> = 
  src( <string> <url-modifier>* )

Examples

Applying filter functions

The filter property is applied to the second image, greying and blurring both the image and its border.

css
img {
  border: 5px solid yellow;
}
/* Gray the second image by 40% and blur by 5px */
img:nth-of-type(2) {
  filter: grayscale(0.4) blur(5px);
}
html
<img src="pencil.jpg" alt="Original image is sharp" />
<img src="pencil.jpg" alt="The image and border are blurred and muted" />

Repeating filter functions

Filter functions are applied in order of appearance. The same filter function can be repeated.

css
#MDN-logo {
  border: 1px solid blue;
  filter: drop-shadow(5px 5px 0 red) hue-rotate(180deg)
    drop-shadow(5px 5px 0 red);
}

The filters are applied in order. This is why the drop shadows are not the same color: the first drop shadow's hue is altered by the hue-rotate() function but the second one is not.

Specifications

Specification
Filter Effects Module Level 1
# FilterProperty

Browser compatibility

BCD tables only load in the browser

See also