CSS Gradient Generator
Visual design tool for linear and radial CSS gradients.
Gradient Stops
Drag handles to adjust • Click track to add stop • Click active handle to edit
Type & Angle
CSS Code
background: linear-gradient(43deg, #4158D0 0%, #C850C0 46%, #FFCC70 100%);Tailwind CSS
bg-[linear-gradient(43deg,#4158D0_0%,#C850C0_46%,#FFCC70_100%)]The Ultimate Guide to CSS Gradients
Gradients have revolutionized web design, evolving from simple two-color transitions to complex, mesh-like "aurora" backgrounds that define modern branding. A well-crafted gradient adds depth, dimension, and emotion to an interface without the performance cost of heavy images.
Our Pro CSS Gradient Generator puts professional design capabilities in your browser. Whether you need a subtle UI background, a vibrant button hover effect, or a trendy mesh backdrop, this tool offers precise control with a visual interface that writes the clean, cross-browser CSS code for you.
Interactive Canvas
Don't rely on guesswork. Drag handles directly on the preview canvas to toggle positions. Move the center point of radial gradients or reshape mesh blobs intuitively.
New! Mesh Mode
Go beyond linear. Create trendy "Mesh" or "Aurora" gradients by adding multiple free-floating color points. Perfect for modern SaaS hero sections.
Tailwind Ready
We generate optimized CSS3 syntax and Tailwind JIT classes instanty. No config files required—just copy, paste, and ship.
Understanding Gradient Types
In modern CSS3, there are three primary types of gradients you can use. Understanding when to use each is key to professional design.
1. Linear Gradients
The linear-gradient() function creates a band of colors that progress in a straight line. This is the most common type, used for button backgrounds, section dividers, and overlays. You can control the direction using degrees (e.g., 90deg for left-to-right) or keywords (to right bottom).
2. Radial Gradients
The radial-gradient() function radiates color from a specific point (defaulting to the center). This creates a glow effect. They are excellent for adding depth to flat UI elements or creating a "spotlight" effect behind a hero image.
3. Mesh (Conic/Freeform)
While standard CSS uses conic-gradient, modern "Mesh" gradients are actually composed of multiple radial gradients layered on top of a base color. This creates a fluid, organic look where colors blend in clouds rather than lines. Our tool automates the complex math of layering these radial gradients for you.
Professional Design Tips
How to Avoid "Muddy" Colors
One of the most common mistakes is blending complementary colors directly (e.g., Red to Green). This creates a desaturated brownish-gray in the middle.
Tip: Always add a third "bridge" color (like Yellow between Red and Green) to keep the gradient vibrant.
Browser Support
- Chrome10+
- Firefox3.6+
- Safari5.1+
- Edge12+
CSS gradients are fully supported in all modern browsers and have excellent performance characteristics compared to images.
Related Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CSS Gradient Generator?
A CSS Gradient Generator is a visual interface that allows you to design gradients using drag-and-drop tools. Instead of manually typing complex CSS code like background: linear-gradient(90deg, red, blue), you can select colors visually, adjust the angle, and the tool generates the code for you instantly.
How do I create a Mesh or Blob gradient?
To create a Mesh (or Aurora/Blob) gradient, select the Mesh tab in our tool. This mode allows you to add multiple independent color points on the canvas. You can drag these points around to create organic, blended cloud-like effects that are very popular in modern web design.
Can I use these gradients in Tailwind CSS?
Yes! Our tool provides a dedicated Tailwind export option. It generates a Just-In-Time (JIT) arbitrary value class, such as bg-[linear-gradient(45deg,#ff0000,#0000ff)]. You can paste this directly into your HTML usage, no config required.
Is there a limit to how many colors I can add?
You can add up to 10 unique color stops in our Pro generator. This is more than enough for even the most complex rainbow or metallic effects. Most professional designs use between 2 to 4 stops for the best aesthetic.
What is the 'Gray Dead Zone' and how do I fix it?
The 'Gray Dead Zone' happens when you transition between two complementary colors (opposite on the color wheel), like Blue and Yellow. The midpoint desaturates into a muddy gray. To fix this, add a third color stop in the middle (a 'bridge color') that sits between the two on the color wheel, such as Teal or Purple.
How do I make a background gradient transparent?
Currently, our picker defaults to solid HEX colors. However, you can use our upcoming 'Advanced Mode' or manually edit the generated CSS code to use rgba() values. For example, replacing #ff0000 with rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.5) will make that part of the gradient 50% transparent.
Do CSS gradients affect website performance?
CSS gradients are extremely performant. Unlike large background images which can be megabytes in size and slow down loading, CSS gradients are generated mathematically by the browser. They take up effectively zero file size and scale infinitely without pixelation.
What browsers support CSS3 Gradients?
CSS3 Gradients are supported by all modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera. Support has been universal since around 2012, so it is perfectly safe to use them in production websites.
Can I rotate the gradient angle?
Yes. For Linear gradients, you can use the angle slider or type a specific degree (e.g., 135deg) to control the direction of the light/color flow. Radial gradients do not have an angle as they radiate from a center point.
Is this tool free?
Yes, this CSS Gradient Generator is 100% free for personal and commercial projects. You can use the generated code anywhere without attribution.