Free CSS Gradient Generator — Create Linear, Radial & Conic Gradients

Design beautiful CSS gradients with this free online gradient generator. Choose from linear, radial, and conic gradient types, customize colors and angles, and copy the CSS code instantly.

What Is a CSS Gradient?

A CSS gradient is a smooth transition between two or more colors, created using the background property in CSS. Gradients eliminate the need for image files, reducing page load times and allowing fully responsive, resolution-independent backgrounds.

There are three main types of CSS gradients:

Linear gradients transition colors along a straight line, defined by an angle or direction.
Radial gradients radiate outward from a center point, creating circular or elliptical patterns.
Conic gradients transition colors around a center point in a rotational sweep, similar to a color wheel.

How to Use This Gradient Generator

Choose a gradient type — Select Linear, Radial, or Conic at the top of the controls panel.
Set the direction — For linear and conic gradients, adjust the angle using the slider or quick-select buttons.
Customize radial options — For radial gradients, pick a shape (circle or ellipse) and size keyword.
Edit color stops — Click the color picker to change each stop's color. Drag the position slider to adjust where each color appears.
Add or remove colors — Use the "Add Color" button for more stops (up to 8), or click the X to remove a stop (minimum 2).
Try a preset — Click any preset swatch to load a ready-made gradient.
Copy the CSS — Click "Copy CSS" to copy the complete background property to your clipboard.

Key Features

Feature	Benefit
Three gradient types	Linear, radial, and conic — all CSS gradient modes supported
Live preview	See your gradient update in real time as you adjust settings
Up to 8 color stops	Create complex multi-color gradients with precise positioning
Angle control	Slider + quick-select buttons for common angles (0°–315°)
Radial shape & size	Circle/ellipse shapes with four CSS size keywords
One-click presets	Six curated gradient presets to get started quickly
Copy CSS code	One click to copy production-ready CSS to your clipboard
No data sent	Everything runs in your browser — no server, no tracking

Gradient Types Compared

Property	Linear	Radial	Conic
Direction	Angle (0–360°)	Shape + size keyword	Starting angle
Pattern	Straight line	Circle or ellipse from center	Rotational sweep
Best for	Backgrounds, banners, buttons	Spotlights, orbs, abstract art	Pie charts, color wheels, clocks
CSS function	`linear-gradient()`	`radial-gradient()`	`conic-gradient()`

Real-World Use Cases

Website Backgrounds

Replace flat colors with subtle gradients for modern, professional-looking pages. A gentle 135° linear gradient with two close colors adds depth without distraction.

Buttons and CTAs

Make call-to-action buttons stand out with vibrant gradients. Use a 180° (top-to-bottom) gradient for a natural light-to-shadow effect.

Hero Sections

Create eye-catching hero banners with bold multi-stop gradients. Combine three or more colors for a unique brand look.

Overlays and Cards

Apply semi-transparent gradients over images to ensure text readability while maintaining visual interest.

Data Visualization

Use conic gradients to create simple pie charts, progress rings, or color wheels without JavaScript or SVG.

Tips for Better Gradients

Limit to 2–3 colors for clean, professional designs. More stops can work but require careful tuning.
Use similar hues for subtle gradients (e.g., light blue to dark blue) and complementary colors for bold ones.
Match your angle to the layout — 180° works well for vertical sections, 90° for horizontal bars.
Test on dark and light themes — A gradient that looks great on a white background may need adjustment for dark mode.
Use background-size and background-repeat to tile small gradients into patterns.
Combine with transparency — Use rgba() colors to create gradients that blend with underlying content.

Understanding CSS Gradient Syntax

A basic linear gradient:

background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);

A radial gradient with shape and size:

background: radial-gradient(circle farthest-corner, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);

A conic gradient:

background: conic-gradient(from 0deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 50%, #667eea 100%);

All modern browsers support these gradient types without vendor prefixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colors can I use in a CSS gradient?

CSS supports any number of color stops. This tool allows up to 8 for practical use. In real projects, 2–4 stops are most common.

What is the difference between linear and radial gradients?

Linear gradients transition colors along a straight line at a specified angle. Radial gradients transition colors outward from a center point in a circular or elliptical shape.

Do CSS gradients work in all browsers?

Yes. All modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) fully support linear-gradient, radial-gradient, and conic-gradient without vendor prefixes.

Can I animate CSS gradients?

CSS cannot directly animate between gradient values using transitions. However, you can animate gradient position using background-position or use CSS @property for custom property animations in supporting browsers.

How do I make a gradient transparent?

Use rgba() or hsla() color values with an alpha channel. For example, rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.5) gives you a semi-transparent version of the color.

Does this tool store my gradient data?

No. All gradient generation happens entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server.

Gradient Generator