CSS Clip-Path Generator

CSS clip-path is a property that defines a clipping region for an element — only the portion of the element inside the region is visible, and the rest is hidden. It supports four shape functions: polygon() for any multi-point shape, circle() for circular clips, ellipse() for oval clips, and inset() for rectangular clips with optional rounded corners. Unlike overflow: hidden or border-radius, clip-path can create truly arbitrary shapes.

clip-path uses geometric shapes (polygons, circles) defined by coordinates to create hard-edged clipping boundaries. CSS mask uses images (gradients or SVGs) as alpha channels, allowing soft edges, transparency gradients, and complex textures. Use clip-path when you need precise geometric shapes; use mask when you need gradient-based or image-based masking effects.

Yes. CSS clip-path is animatable with CSS transitions and animations, but only between shapes of the same type with the same number of points. For example, you can animate between two polygon() values that both have 6 points, or between two circle() values. Animating between different shape types or different point counts will not interpolate smoothly — the change will be instant.

clip-path only affects the visual rendering — the element still occupies its original rectangular space in the layout. However, pointer events (clicks, hovers) are affected: areas outside the clip-path are not interactive. This means the clickable area matches the visible clipped shape, which is the expected behavior for most use cases.

Yes. CSS clip-path with basic shapes (polygon, circle, ellipse, inset) is supported in all modern browsers: Chrome 55+, Firefox 54+, Safari 9.1+, and Edge 79+. This covers over 97% of global users. The only caveat is that Safari requires the -webkit-clip-path prefix for versions before 13.1, but all current Safari versions support the unprefixed property.

The browser can only interpolate between clip-path values of the SAME shape function with the SAME number of points. So polygon() animates to polygon() only if both have an equal point count — a 6-point shape morphs smoothly to another 6-point shape, but a triangle (3 points) won't smoothly become a hexagon, and polygon() can't tween into circle(). The trick when counts differ is to add 'degenerate' points: duplicate an existing vertex so both shapes have the same number of points without changing the starting appearance. Then a CSS transition or @keyframes will morph between them. circle() and ellipse() can animate their radius, and inset() its offsets, as long as you don't switch shape types mid-animation.

Only visually — and that's an important distinction. clip-path changes what's PAINTED, not what exists. The clipped-away parts of the element are invisible, but the full element remains in the DOM and in the accessibility tree, so screen readers still read all the text and assistive tech can still reach it. Two consequences: (1) don't use clip-path to 'remove' content you don't want announced — it's still there for screen readers (use it for visual shaping only); (2) the interactive/clickable area follows the visible clipped shape, so pointer events outside the clip won't fire, which is usually what you want but can surprise you if part of a button gets clipped away. For genuinely hiding content, use display: none or the visually-hidden pattern depending on intent.