mask-type

The mask-type CSS property sets whether an SVG <mask> element is used as a luminance or an alpha mask. It applies to the <mask> element itself.

/* Keyword values */
mask-type: luminance;
mask-type: alpha;

/* Global values */
mask-type: inherit;
mask-type: initial;
mask-type: unset;

This property may be overridden by the mask-mode property, which has the same effect but applies to the element where the mask is used. Alpha masks will generally be faster to render.

Syntax

The mask-type property is specified as one of the keyword values listed below.

Values

luminance

Is a keyword indicating that the associated mask image is a luminance mask, i.e., that its relative luminance values must be used when applying it.

alpha

Is a keyword indicating that the associated mask image is an alpha mask, i.e., that its alpha channel values must be used when applying it.

Formal definition

Formal syntax

luminance | alpha

Examples

Setting an alpha mask

HTML

<div class="redsquare"></div>
<svg version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
    xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" width="0" height="0">
  <defs>
    <mask id="m" maskContentUnits="objectBoundingBox"
      style="mask-type:alpha">
      <rect x=".1" y=".1" width=".8" height=".8"
          fill="red" fill-opacity="0.7"/>
    </mask>
  </defs>
</svg>

CSS

.redsquare {
  height: 100px;
  width: 100px;
  background-color: rgb(128, 128, 128);
  border: solid 1px black;
  mask: url("#m");
}

Result

Setting a luminance mask

HTML

<div class="redsquare"></div>
<svg version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
    xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" width="0" height="0">
  <defs>
    <mask id="m" maskContentUnits="objectBoundingBox"
      style="mask-type:luminance">
      <rect x=".1" y=".1" width=".8" height=".8"
          fill="red" fill-opacity="0.7"/>
    </mask>
  </defs>
</svg>

CSS

.redsquare {
  height: 100px;
  width: 100px;
  background-color: rgb(128, 128, 128);
  border: solid 1px black;
  mask: url("#m");
  mask-type:luminance;
}

Result

Specifications

Browser compatibilityUpdate compatibility data on GitHub

See also

• Other mask-related properties: mask, mask-mode