The <mask> SVG element defines a mask for compositing the current object into the background. A mask is used/referenced using the {{SVGAttr("mask")}}  property and CSS {{cssxref("mask-image")}}  property.

Usage context

{{svginfo}} 

Attributes

• {{SVGAttr("height")}} 
  • : This attribute defines the height of the masking area. Value type: <length>; Default value: 120%; Animatable: yes
• {{SVGAttr("mask-type")}} 
  • : This attribute defines the mask mode for the contents for the contents of the <mask>. Value type: alpha | luminance; Default value: luminance; Animatable: yes
• {{SVGAttr("maskContentUnits")}} 
  • : This attribute defines the coordinate system for the contents of the <mask>. Value type: userSpaceOnUse | objectBoundingBox; Default value: userSpaceOnUse; Animatable: yes
• {{SVGAttr("maskUnits")}} 
  • : This attribute defines the coordinate system for attributes {{SVGAttr("x")}} , {{SVGAttr("y")}} , {{SVGAttr("width")}}  and {{SVGAttr("height")}}  on the <mask>. Value type: userSpaceOnUse | objectBoundingBox; Default value: objectBoundingBox; Animatable: yes
• {{SVGAttr("x")}} 
  • : This attribute defines the x-axis coordinate of the top-left corner of the masking area. Value type: <coordinate>; Default value: -10%; Animatable: yes
• {{SVGAttr("y")}} 
  • : This attribute defines the y-axis coordinate of the top-left corner of the masking area. Value type: <coordinate>; Default value: -10%; Animatable: yes
• {{SVGAttr("width")}} 
  • : This attribute defines the width of the masking area. Value type: <length>; Default value: 120%; Animatable: yes

DOM Interface

This element implements the {{domxref("SVGMaskElement")}}  interface.

Example

html,
body,
svg {
  height: 100%;
}

<svg viewBox="-10 -10 120 120">
  <rect x="-10" y="-10" width="120" height="120" fill="blue" />
  <mask id="myMask" mask-type="luminance">
    <!-- Everything under a white pixel will be visible -->
    <rect x="0" y="0" width="100" height="100" fill="white" />

    <!-- Everything under a black pixel will be invisible -->
    <path
      d="M10,35 A20,20,0,0,1,50,35 A20,20,0,0,1,90,35 Q90,65,50,95 Q10,65,10,35 Z"
      fill="black" />
  </mask>

  <polygon points="-10,110 110,110 110,-10" fill="orange" />

  <!-- with this mask applied, we "punch" a heart shape hole into the circle -->
  <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="50" fill="purple" mask="url(#myMask)" />
</svg>

{{EmbedLiveSample('Example', 100, 100)}} 

Specifications

{{Specifications}} 

Browser compatibility

{{Compat}} 

See also

• CSS {{cssxref("mask-type")}}  property
• Other clipping and masking SVG elements: {{SVGElement("clipPath")}} 
• Clipping and masking CSS properties: {{cssxref("mask")}} , {{cssxref("mask-image")}} , {{cssxref("mask-mode")}} , {{cssxref("mask-repeat")}} , {{cssxref("mask-position")}} , {{cssxref("mask-clip")}} , {{cssxref("mask-origin")}} , {{cssxref("mask-composite")}} , {{cssxref("mask-size")}}