CSS' clip vs. clip-path

clip

clip

The clip CSS property defines what portion of an element is visible.

The clip property applies only to absolutely positioned elements, that is elements with position:absolute or position:fixed.

 

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/clip

clip example

.bird {
  clip: rect(20px, 12px, 8px, 60px);
  /* top, right, bottom, left — but not like padding! */
}

clip is well-supported

…but deprecated

clip-path

clip-path

The clip-path CSS property creates a clipping region that sets what part of an element should be shown. Parts that are inside the region are shown, while those outside are hidden.

 

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/clip-path

clip-path examples, pt. I

.bird {
  clip-path: inset(20px 12px 8px 60px);
  /* top, right, bottom, left — works just like padding! */
}

clip-path examples, pt. II

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/basic-shape

clip-path advantages

🎉 doesn't require (absolute) positioning

🎉 more shapes!!

clip-path support…

Quiz

Quiz

1. What is the result of this?

.circle {
  clip-path: circle(10px);
  /* How large is the circle? */
}

Quiz

1. Answer for circle: 20px!

Quiz

2. What is the result of this?

.hideElement {
  clip-path: inset(100%);
}

Quiz

2. Answer for hideElement: it depends (unfortunately)!

 

✅ Chrome works

🤔 Safari needs -webkit-clip-path

🤔 Firefox only works with clip-path: 50%

❌ IE does not work

❌ Edge only works with a feature flag

Make it work in Firefox

.hideElement {
  clip-path: inset(100%);
}
.hideElement {
  clip-path: inset(50%);
  /* 50% inwards from each direction */
  -webkit-clip-path: inset(50%);
  /* prefix for Safari */
}

✅

❌

More consistent hiding via inset(50%):

Thank you.

CSS clip vs clip-path

By Sebastian Herrmann

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CSS clip vs clip-path

Let's take a look at the differences between CSS' clip and clip-path properties.

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