W3cubDocs

/CSS

clip

Deprecated
This feature has been removed from the Web standards. Though some browsers may still support it, it is in the process of being dropped. Avoid using it and update existing code if possible; see the compatibility table at the bottom of this page to guide your decision. Be aware that this feature may cease to work at any time.

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.

/* Keyword value */
clip: auto;

/* <shape> values */
clip: rect(1px 10em 3rem 2ch);
clip: rect(1px, 10em, 3rem, 2ch);

/* Global values */
clip: inherit;
clip: initial;
clip: unset;

Syntax

Warning: This property is deprecated. Use clip-path instead.

Initial value	`auto`
Applies to	absolutely positioned elements
Inherited	no
Media	visual
Computed value	`auto` if specified as `auto`, otherwise a rectangle with four values, each of which is `auto` if specified as `auto` or the computed length otherwise
Animation type	a rectangle
Canonical order	the unique non-ambiguous order defined by the formal grammar

Values

<<shape>()>: A rectangular <<shape>()> of the form rect(<top>, <right>, <bottom>, <left>) or rect(<top> <right> <bottom> <left>) (which is a more backwards-compatible syntax). The <top> and <bottom> values specify offsets from the inside top border edge of the box, while <right> and <left> specify offsets from the inside left border edge of the box — that is, the extent of the padding box.; The <top>, <right>, <bottom>, and <left> values may be either a <length> or auto. If any side's value is auto, the element is clipped to that side's inside border edge.
auto: The element does not clip (default value). Note that this is distinct from rect(auto, auto, auto, auto), which does clip to the inside border edges of the element.

Formal syntax

<shape> | autowhere 
<shape> = rect(<top>, <right>, <bottom>, <left>)

Examples

CSS

.dotted-border { 
  border: dotted;  
  position: relative; 
  width: 536px;
  height: 350px;
}

#top-left, #middle, #bottom-right {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0px;
}

#top-left {
  left: 360px;
  clip: rect(0px, 175px, 113px, 0px); 
}


#middle {
  left: 280px;
  clip: rect(119px, 255px, 229px, 80px); 
  /* standard syntax, unsupported by Internet Explorer 4-7 */
}

#bottom-right {
  left: 200px;
  clip: rect(235px 335px 345px 160px);
  /* non-standard syntax, but supported by all major browsers*/
}

HTML

<p class="dotted-border">
  <img src="https://developer.mozilla.org/@api/deki/files/3613/=hut.jpg" title="Original graphic">
  <img id="top-left" src="https://developer.mozilla.org/@api/deki/files/3613/=hut.jpg" title="Graphic clipped to upper left">
  <img id="middle" src="https://developer.mozilla.org/@api/deki/files/3613/=hut.jpg" title="Graphic clipped towards middle">
  <img id="bottom-right" src="https://developer.mozilla.org/@api/deki/files/3613/=hut.jpg" title="Graphic clipped to bottom right">
</p>

Result

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
CSS Masking Module Level 1 The definition of 'clip' in that specification.	Candidate Recommendation	Deprecates `clip` property, suggests `clip-path` as replacement.
CSS Transitions The definition of 'clip' in that specification.	Working Draft	Defines `clip` as animatable.
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1) The definition of 'clip' in that specification.	Recommendation	Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

Feature	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari
Basic support	1	Yes	1	4¹	7	1²

Feature	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Edge mobile	Firefox for Android	IE mobile	Opera Android	iOS Safari
Basic support	?	?	Yes	?	?	?	?

1. Before Internet Explorer 7, Internet Explorer incorrectly interprets clip: auto as clip: rect(auto, auto, auto, auto).

2. Safari incorrectly interprets clip: auto as clip: rect(auto, auto, auto, auto).