CSS Clip Path Generator | css3.com

How to Use the Clip Path Generator

What Is the CSS Clip Path Generator?

The CSS Clip Path Generator is a powerful visual tool that lets you create complex shapes by clipping HTML elements using the CSS clip-path property. Instead of relying on images or SVGs for non-rectangular shapes, clip-path lets you define a clipping region that determines which parts of an element are visible and which are hidden. Anything outside the clipping path becomes invisible.

This generator offers 16+ ready-to-use shape presets - triangles, diamonds, hexagons, stars, arrows, and more - along with a custom value editor for creating your own unique shapes. The live preview shows your clip-path applied to a colored element on a checkerboard background so you can clearly see the clipped shape.

How Does It Work?

The tool works by generating clip-path CSS values using different shape functions. The polygon() function is the most versatile - it defines a shape by specifying a series of X,Y coordinate pairs as percentages. Each pair defines a vertex of the polygon, and the browser draws straight lines between consecutive points to create the clipping region.

Select any preset shape to instantly apply its clip-path value, or type a custom value directly in the textarea for complete control. You can also change the background color of the preview element to match your design context. Once your shape looks right, copy the generated CSS code or download it as a file.

Beyond polygon(), clip-path also supports circle(), ellipse(), and inset() shape functions. Circle creates a circular clipping region, ellipse creates an oval shape, and inset creates a rectangular clip with optional rounded corners - essentially a way to visibly shrink an element without changing its layout dimensions.

CSS Clip Path Syntax

/* Triangle */
clip-path: polygon(50% 0%, 0% 100%, 100% 100%);

/* Hexagon */
clip-path: polygon(25% 0%, 75% 0%, 100% 50%, 75% 100%, 25% 100%, 0% 50%);

/* Circle */
clip-path: circle(50% at 50% 50%);

/* Ellipse */
clip-path: ellipse(40% 30% at 50% 50%);

/* Inset (Rectangle with rounding) */
clip-path: inset(10% round 20px);

/* Star */
clip-path: polygon(50% 0%, 61% 35%, 98% 35%, 68% 57%, 79% 91%, 50% 70%, 21% 91%, 32% 57%, 2% 35%, 39% 35%);

Popular Use Cases for Clip Path

●Image masking - clip images into non-rectangular shapes like circles, hexagons, or custom outlines for creative layouts
●Section dividers - create angled, wavy, or zigzag transitions between page sections instead of flat horizontal lines
●Hero banners - clip hero sections into dynamic shapes that add visual energy to landing pages
●Profile pictures - transform square images into custom shapes beyond the typical circle
●Decorative elements - create geometric shapes and patterns purely with CSS, no image assets needed
●Reveal animations - animate clip-path values to create wipe, reveal, and morph transitions between states

Tips and Browser Compatibility

One of the most powerful features of clip-path is that it can be animated with CSS transitions and keyframe animations. By transitioning between two clip-path values with the same number of points, you can create smooth morphing effects - a triangle that transforms into a hexagon, or a circle that expands from the center. This opens up creative possibilities for hover effects and page transitions.

For responsive designs, always use percentage-based coordinates in your polygon() values. Percentages are relative to the element's bounding box, so your clipped shape will scale proportionally with the element. Pixel values create fixed shapes that won't adapt to different screen sizes.

Browser support for clip-path is excellent in all modern browsers. The only consideration is that some older browsers may require the -webkit-clip-path prefix. For a robust fallback, use @supports to detect clip-path support and provide an alternative shape using overflow: hidden with border-radius when clip-path isn't available.