CSS Clipping Generator

What is a CSS Clipping Generator

A CSS Clipping Generator is a specialized web design tool that simplifies the creation of complex shapes by visually generating the code for the CSS clip-path property. Instead of manually writing coordinate points or complex path data, developers and designers can use an intuitive interface—like the one on this page—to select shapes, adjust their parameters with sliders, and see a real-time preview of the result. The generator then provides the clean, ready-to-use CSS code to be pasted directly into a project.

The clip-path property itself is a powerful feature in CSS that allows you to define a specific region of an element to display, effectively hiding any content outside that region. This process of “clipping” enables the creation of non-rectangular layouts, unique image masks, and dynamic visual effects without relying on external image files. This method is more flexible, performant, and accessible than traditional image-based techniques.

How to Use CSS Clipping Generator

Our tool is designed to be as intuitive as possible. Follow these simple steps to create your custom CSS shape in seconds:

1. Select a Shape: Start by choosing a base shape from the “Basic Shapes” or “Custom Polygons” sections. Clicking a shape will make it active and update the preview.
2. Customize Parameters: Use the corresponding sliders to adjust your chosen shape. You can control the radius of a circle, the dimensions of an ellipse, or the number of sides, size, and rotation of a polygon.
3. Preview in Real-Time: Observe your changes instantly in the “Live Preview” panel. This allows for precise adjustments until the shape is perfect.
4. Copy the Code: Once you are satisfied with your design, click the “Copy CSS” button. This action copies the complete CSS rule, including the `-webkit-` prefix for maximum browser compatibility.
5. Apply to Your Project: Paste the copied CSS into your website’s stylesheet and apply the `clipped-element` class (or your own class name) to the desired HTML element (e.g., `
   …
   `).

Common Applications & Examples

The `clip-path` property opens up a world of creative possibilities. Here are some common use cases you can build with our generator:

Advanced Techniques & Creative Applications

Mastering `clip-path` goes beyond static shapes. By combining it with other CSS features, you can unlock a new level of interactivity and design sophistication. This CSS Clip-Path Generator provides the perfect starting point for these advanced techniques.

Animating Clip-Path with CSS Transitions

One of the most exciting features of `clip-path` is its ability to be animated. You can create smooth morphing effects between two different shapes on events like hover or click. The key requirement for a smooth transition is that the starting and ending shapes must have the same number of vertices (points).

For example, you can morph a square into a diamond (both are 4-point polygons). Our generator makes it easy to define these states:

/* CSS for a smooth hover animation */
.animated-box {
  /* Initial state (a square) */
  clip-path: polygon(0% 0%, 100% 0%, 100% 100%, 0% 100%);
  transition: clip-path 0.5s ease-in-out;
}

.animated-box:hover {
  /* Hover state (a diamond) */
  clip-path: polygon(50% 0%, 100% 50%, 50% 100%, 0% 50%);
}

Dynamic Shapes with CSS Custom Properties (Variables)

For ultimate reusability and dynamic control, combine `clip-path` with CSS Custom Properties. This allows you to change shape properties programmatically with JavaScript or based on other state changes.

:root {
  --inset-value: 10px;
}

.dynamic-inset {
  clip-path: inset(var(--inset-value));
  transition: --inset-value 0.3s linear;
}

.dynamic-inset:hover {
  --inset-value: 40px;
}

Creating Asymmetrical and Organic Layouts

Web design has long been dominated by the “box model.” The `clip-path` property is a fantastic way to break free from rectangular constraints. You can create diagonal section dividers, flowing text containers, and interactive elements that feel more organic and engaging. Use our clip-path polygon generator to create multi-point polygons that define unique, asymmetrical boundaries for your content sections, hero banners, or call-to-action blocks.

Performance & Accessibility Best Practices

Using a powerful tool like a CSS Clip-Path Generator comes with the responsibility of ensuring your creations are both performant and accessible to all users. Here are key considerations:

Rendering Performance

While `clip-path` is hardware-accelerated in modern browsers and generally very performant, overly complex shapes can impact rendering performance, especially during animations.

• Keep Polygons Simple: A polygon with 8 vertices will perform better than one with 80. Use the minimum number of points necessary to achieve your desired shape.
• Avoid Animating Complex `path()`: Animating complex SVG paths within `clip-path` can be resource-intensive. For complex animations, consider using SVG `` or a JavaScript library like GSAP, which are highly optimized for this purpose.
• Prefer `polygon` over `url()` for Simple Shapes: Referencing an external SVG with `url(#clip-path-id)` can sometimes be slower than defining the shape directly with `polygon()` or other basic shapes, as it may require an extra network request and DOM lookup.

Ensuring Web Accessibility (a11y)

A major advantage of `clip-path` is that the clipped (hidden) content remains in the DOM and is accessible to screen readers. However, there are important nuances to consider:

• Focusable Elements: Be aware that interactive elements (links, buttons) that are visually hidden by `clip-path` might still be focusable by keyboard navigation. This can create a confusing experience where a user is tabbing to an invisible element. If the clipped content is purely decorative, consider adding `aria-hidden=”true”` to the container.
• Text Contrast: If you are clipping an image and placing text over it, ensure the visible parts of the image provide sufficient color contrast with the text for readability.
• Don’t Rely on Shape Alone: Avoid conveying critical information using only the shape itself. A red octagonal “stop” sign should also contain the word “STOP” to be universally understood.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CSS clip-path?

The CSS clip-path property creates a clipping region that sets what part of an element should be shown. Parts inside the region are shown, while those outside are hidden. You can define the region using basic shapes like circles and polygons, or with SVG paths.

Which browsers support clip-path?

CSS `clip-path` is supported by all modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For older browsers, you may need to include the `-webkit-` prefix for compatibility, which our tool generates automatically.

Can I animate clip-path properties?

Yes! `clip-path` is an animatable property. You can use CSS transitions or keyframe animations to create smooth morphing effects between different shapes. However, for animations to work, the starting and ending shapes must have the same number of vertices.

What’s the difference between `clip-path` and `mask`?

`clip-path` creates a hard, all-or-nothing edge; content is either fully visible or fully hidden. In contrast, `mask` uses an image’s alpha channel (or luminance), allowing for semi-transparent areas and complex gradient-based effects. `clip-path` is generally better for performance and simpler shapes.

Can I use `clip-path` on any HTML element?

Yes, `clip-path` can be applied to any HTML element, including `

`, ``, `

`, and even `

How do I create a complex custom shape?

For highly complex shapes, you can use the `path()` function within `clip-path` and provide an SVG path string. You can create these paths in vector editing software like Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator, export the SVG, and then copy the `d` attribute value from the `` element to use in your CSS.

Does `clip-path` affect box-shadow or borders?

Yes. The `clip-path` property clips everything about the element, including its background, border, and any `box-shadow`. If you need a shadow that follows the clipped shape, you should use the `filter: drop-shadow(…)` property on the parent element, as it is not affected by the child’s clipping path.

Is this CSS shape generator free to use?

Yes, this CSS Clip-Path Generator is completely free for both personal and commercial projects. All processing is done locally in your browser, so your designs are private and nothing is ever sent to a server.

What units can I use in `clip-path` values?

You can use various CSS length units, such as percentages (`%`), pixels (`px`), `em`, `rem`, and viewport units (`vw`, `vh`). Our generator uses percentages (`%`) as they are the most flexible and responsive, allowing the shape to scale proportionally with the element’s size.

How does using a CSS clip-path generator impact SEO?

Using `clip-path` is excellent for SEO. Unlike using an image to create a shape, any text inside a clipped element is still standard HTML text. This means the content, even the parts that are visually hidden, remains in the DOM and is fully readable and indexable by search engines like Google. This preserves your SEO value and improves accessibility.