SVG Gradients - Linear

SVG Gradients

A gradient is a smooth transition from one color to another. Additionally, multiple color transitions can be applied to the same element.

There are two main types of SVG gradients:

• Linear
• Radial

SVG Linear Gradient - <linearGradient>

The <linearGradient> element is used to define a linear gradient.

The <linearGradient> tag must be nested inside a <defs> tag. The <defs> tag stands for definitions and can define special elements like gradients.

A linear gradient can be defined as horizontal, vertical, or angular:

• A horizontal gradient is created when y1 and y2 are equal, but x1 and x2 are different.
• A vertical gradient is created when x1 and x2 are equal, but y1 and y2 are different.
• An angular gradient is created when x1 and x2 are different, and y1 and y2 are different.

Example 1

Define a horizontal linear gradient from yellow to red for an ellipse:

Here is the SVG code:

Example

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1">
  <defs>
    <linearGradient id="grad1" x1="0%" y1="0%" x2="100%" y2="0%">
      <stop offset="0%" style="stop-color:rgb(255,255,0);stop-opacity:1" />
      <stop offset="100%" style="stop-color:rgb(255,0,0);stop-opacity:1" />
    </linearGradient>
  </defs>
  <ellipse cx="200" cy="70" rx="85" ry="55" fill="url(#grad1)" />
</svg>

For Opera users: View SVG file (right-click on the SVG graphic to preview the source).

Code Analysis:

• The id attribute of the <linearGradient> tag defines a unique name for the gradient.
• The x1, x2, y1, and y2 attributes of the <linearGradient> tag define the start and end positions of the gradient.
• The color range of the gradient can consist of two or more colors. Each color is specified by a <stop> tag. The offset attribute defines the start and end positions of the gradient.
• The fill attribute links the ellipse element to the gradient.

Example 2

Define a vertical linear gradient from yellow to red for an ellipse:

Here is the SVG code:

Example

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1">
  <defs>
    <linearGradient id="grad1" x1="0%" y1="0%" x2="0%" y2="100%">
      <stop offset="0%" style="stop-color:rgb(255,255,0);stop-opacity:1" />
      <stop offset="100%" style="stop-color:rgb(255,0,0);stop-opacity:1" />
    </linearGradient>
  </defs>
  <ellipse cx="200" cy="70" rx="85" ry="55" fill="url(#grad1)" />
</svg>

For Opera users: View SVG file (right-click on the SVG graphic to preview the source).

Example 3

Define an ellipse with a horizontal linear gradient from yellow to red and add text inside the ellipse:

Here is the SVG code:

Example

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1">
  <defs>
    <linearGradient id="grad1" x1="0%" y1="0%" x2="100%" y2="0%">
      <stop offset="0%" style="stop-color:rgb(255,255,0);stop-opacity:1" />
      <stop offset="100%" style="stop-color:rgb(255,0,0);stop-opacity:1" />
    </linearGradient>
  </defs>
  <ellipse cx="200" cy="70" rx="85" ry="55" fill="url(#grad1)" />
  <text fill="#ffffff" font-size="45" font-family="Verdana" x="150" y="86">
  SVG</text>
</svg>

For Opera users: View SVG file (right-click on the SVG graphic to preview the source).

Code Analysis:

• The <text> element is used to add text.