CSS Gradient Generator

Create beautiful CSS gradients with live preview. Generate linear, radial, and conic gradients instantly!

Gradient Type

Angle

90°
90°180°270°360°

Color Stops

Position:0%
Position:100%

Preview

Your Gradient Preview

CSS Code

background: linear-gradient(90deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);

Presets (24)

About CSS Gradient Generator

Our CSS Gradient Generator is a powerful tool for creating beautiful gradients with live preview. Whether you're designing a website, creating graphics, or building a user interface, this tool makes it easy to generate perfect CSS gradients with just a few clicks.

Features

  • Real-time gradient preview with smooth transitions
  • Support for Linear, Radial, and Conic gradients
  • Unlimited color stops with position control
  • Adjustable gradient angle (0-360 degrees)
  • Visual color picker for each stop
  • 24 beautiful preset gradients organized by theme
  • Random gradient generator
  • Copy CSS code to clipboard
  • Responsive design for all devices
  • Dark mode support
  • Multilingual interface

How to Use

  1. Choose your gradient type (Linear, Radial, or Conic)
  2. Adjust the angle for linear and conic gradients
  3. Click on color stops to change colors using the color picker
  4. Drag the position slider to adjust where each color appears
  5. Add more colors with the "Add Color" button
  6. Remove colors by clicking the trash icon (minimum 2 colors required)
  7. Try preset gradients for instant beautiful designs
  8. Use "Randomize" to generate random gradient combinations
  9. Copy the CSS code and paste it into your stylesheet

Understanding CSS Gradients

Linear Gradients

Linear gradients create a smooth transition between colors along a straight line. The angle determines the direction of the gradient. Common angles include:

  • 0° or 360°: Bottom to top
  • 90°: Left to right (default)
  • 180°: Top to bottom
  • 270°: Right to left
  • 45°, 135°, etc.: Diagonal gradients

Radial Gradients

Radial gradients radiate from a center point outward in a circular or elliptical shape. They're perfect for creating spotlight effects, buttons, or circular designs. The colors transition from the center to the edges.

Conic Gradients

Conic gradients rotate colors around a center point, like a color wheel. They're ideal for creating pie charts, loading spinners, or artistic effects. The angle parameter determines where the gradient starts.

Color Stops Explained

Color stops define where each color appears in the gradient. Each stop has two properties:

  • Color: The hex, RGB, or named color value
  • Position: Where the color appears (0-100%)

You can have as many color stops as you want. More stops create more complex gradients with multiple color transitions.

Common Use Cases

  • Website Backgrounds: Create eye-catching hero sections and page backgrounds
  • Button Designs: Add depth and visual interest to CTAs
  • Card Components: Make cards stand out with subtle gradients
  • Text Effects: Apply gradients to text using background-clip
  • Loading Screens: Create animated gradient backgrounds
  • Social Media Graphics: Design stunning posts and stories
  • UI Elements: Enhance navigation bars, sidebars, and panels
  • Brand Identity: Create signature gradient styles for your brand

CSS Gradient Syntax

Linear Gradient:

background: linear-gradient(angle, color1 position, color2 position);

Radial Gradient:

background: radial-gradient(shape, color1 position, color2 position);

Conic Gradient:

background: conic-gradient(from angle, color1 position, color2 position);

Browser Support

CSS gradients are well-supported across all modern browsers:

  • Linear & Radial: Supported in all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
  • Conic: Supported in Chrome 69+, Firefox 83+, Safari 12.1+, Edge 79+
  • Fallback: Always provide a solid background color as fallback

Design Tips

  • Use 2-3 colors for clean, professional gradients
  • Choose colors from the same family for subtle effects
  • Use complementary colors for bold, vibrant gradients
  • Adjust color stop positions for unique transitions
  • Test gradients on different backgrounds and contexts
  • Consider accessibility - ensure text remains readable
  • Use diagonal angles (45°, 135°) for dynamic effects
  • Combine gradients with opacity for layered effects

Advanced Techniques

  • Multiple Gradients: Layer multiple gradients using comma separation
  • Gradient Text: Use background-clip: text for gradient text effects
  • Animated Gradients: Animate gradient positions with CSS animations
  • Gradient Borders: Create gradient borders using pseudo-elements
  • Mesh Gradients: Combine multiple radial gradients for complex effects

Performance Considerations

CSS gradients are rendered by the browser and are generally performant. However, keep these tips in mind:

  • Gradients are more performant than images
  • Simple gradients (2-3 colors) perform better than complex ones
  • Avoid animating gradient properties directly (use transforms instead)
  • Consider using gradient images for very complex patterns

Gradient Inspiration

Looking for inspiration? Try these popular gradient styles:

  • Sunset/Sunrise: Warm oranges, pinks, and purples
  • Ocean/Water: Blues and teals
  • Forest/Nature: Greens and earth tones
  • Neon/Cyberpunk: Bright magentas, cyans, and purples
  • Pastel: Soft, muted colors for gentle effects
  • Monochrome: Shades of a single color
  • Rainbow: Full spectrum of colors

Accessibility

When using gradients, ensure your design remains accessible:

  • Maintain sufficient contrast between text and gradient backgrounds
  • Test with color blindness simulators
  • Provide alternative styling for users who prefer reduced motion
  • Don't rely solely on color to convey information

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use gradients as borders?

Yes! Use border-image or create a gradient border with a pseudo-element and padding.

How do I make gradient text?

Apply the gradient as background and use background-clip: text with transparent text color.

Can I animate gradients?

Yes, but it's better to animate the position or use transforms for better performance.

What's the difference between linear and radial?

Linear gradients transition in a straight line, while radial gradients radiate from a center point.

How many colors can I use?

There's no limit! You can use as many color stops as you need, though 2-5 is most common.