What are CSS gradients?

CSS gradients are smooth transitions between two or more colors that can be applied as backgrounds to HTML elements. Unlike solid colors, gradients create visual depth and dimension by blending colors together seamlessly. They're rendered by the browser using mathematical calculations, which means they're resolution-independent and look crisp on any screen size or pixel density.

Gradients are defined using CSS functions that specify the type of gradient, the colors involved, and how those colors should transition. The three main types are linear gradients (colors flow in a straight line), radial gradients (colors radiate outward from a center point), and conic gradients (colors sweep around a center point like a color wheel).

Why use gradients in web design?

Gradients add visual interest without requiring image files, reducing page load times and improving performance. They're fully scalable, meaning they adapt perfectly to any container size without pixelation or quality loss. Modern browsers have excellent gradient support, making them a reliable choice for production websites.

Designers use gradients to create depth, draw attention to specific areas, establish visual hierarchy, and add a modern, polished look to interfaces. Subtle gradients can make flat designs feel more dimensional, while bold gradients create striking visual statements.

Tool description

This CSS Gradient Generator creates beautiful, customizable gradient backgrounds with real-time preview and instant CSS code output. Build linear, radial, or conic gradients with multiple color stops, fine-tune angles and positions, and copy production-ready CSS code directly to your projects.

Examples

Simple two-color linear gradient:

background: linear-gradient(135deg, #ff512f 0%, #f09819 100%);

Three-color radial gradient:

background: radial-gradient(
  ellipse at center,
  #ffffff 0%,
  #e0e0e0 50%,
  #9e9e9e 100%
);

Conic gradient (color wheel effect):

background: conic-gradient(
  from 0deg at center,
  #ff0000 0%,
  #ff7f00 17%,
  #ffff00 33%,
  #00ff00 50%,
  #0000ff 67%,
  #8b00ff 83%,
  #ff0000 100%
);

Multi-stop cyberpunk gradient:

background: linear-gradient(
  90deg,
  #f72585 0%,
  #7209b7 33%,
  #3a0ca3 67%,
  #4361ee 100%
);

Features

  • Three gradient types: Create linear, radial, and conic gradients with full customization options
  • 37 curated presets: Professionally designed gradients organized by theme (warm, cool, purple, green, dark, vibrant)
  • Multiple color stops: Add up to 10 color stops with precise position control for complex gradients
  • Real-time preview: See gradient changes instantly as you adjust colors, angles, and positions
  • One-click CSS export: Copy clean, production-ready CSS code directly to your clipboard

Use cases

  • Website hero sections: Create eye-catching gradient backgrounds for landing page headers and hero areas
  • Button and UI element styling: Design modern, gradient-filled buttons, cards, and interface components
  • Social media graphics: Generate gradient backgrounds for posts, stories, and profile banners
  • Brand asset creation: Develop consistent gradient themes that match your brand color palette
  • Learning CSS gradients: Experiment with different gradient types and see the resulting CSS syntax in real-time