The CanvasRenderingContext2D.filter property of the Canvas 2D API provides filter effects such as blurring and grayscaling. It is similar to the CSS filter property and accepts the same values.

The filter property accepts a value of "none" or one or more of the following filter functions in a string.

url()

A CSS url(). Takes an IRI pointing to an SVG filter element, which may be embedded in an external XML file.

blur()

A CSS <length>. Applies a Gaussian blur to the drawing. It defines the value of the standard deviation to the Gaussian function, i.e., how many pixels on the screen blend into each other; thus, a larger value will create more blur. A value of 0 leaves the input unchanged.

brightness()

A CSS <percentage>. Applies a linear multiplier to the drawing, making it appear brighter or darker. A value under 100% darkens the image, while a value over 100% brightens it. A value of 0% will create an image that is completely black, while a value of 100% leaves the input unchanged.

contrast()

A CSS <percentage>. Adjusts the contrast of the drawing. A value of 0% will create a drawing that is completely black. A value of 100% leaves the drawing unchanged.

drop-shadow()

Applies a drop shadow effect to the drawing. A drop shadow is effectively a blurred, offset version of the drawing's alpha mask drawn in a particular color, composited below the drawing. This function takes up to five arguments:

<offset-x>

See <length> for possible units. Specifies the horizontal distance of the shadow.

<offset-y>

See <length> for possible units. Specifies the vertical distance of the shadow.

<blur-radius>

The larger this value, the bigger the blur, so the shadow becomes bigger and lighter. Negative values are not allowed.

<color>

See <color> values for possible keywords and notations.

grayscale()

A CSS <percentage>. Converts the drawing to grayscale. A value of 100% is completely grayscale. A value of 0% leaves the drawing unchanged.

hue-rotate()

A CSS <angle>. Applies a hue rotation on the drawing. A value of 0deg leaves the input unchanged.

invert()

A CSS <percentage>. Inverts the drawing. A value of 100% means complete inversion. A value of 0% leaves the drawing unchanged.

opacity()

A CSS <percentage>. Applies transparency to the drawing. A value of 0% means completely transparent. A value of 100% leaves the drawing unchanged.

saturate()

A CSS <percentage>. Saturates the drawing. A value of 0% means completely un-saturated. A value of 100% leaves the drawing unchanged.

sepia()

A CSS <percentage>. Converts the drawing to sepia. A value of 100% means completely sepia. A value of 0% leaves the drawing unchanged.

none

No filter is applied. Initial value.

To view these examples, make sure to use a browser that supports this feature; see the compatibility table below.

This example blurs a piece of text using the filter property.

HTML

<canvas id="canvas"></canvas>

JavaScript

const canvas = document.getElementById("canvas");
const ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");

ctx.filter = "blur(4px)";
ctx.font = "48px serif";
ctx.fillText("Hello world", 50, 100);

Result

You can combine as many filters as you like. This example applies the contrast, sepia, and drop-shadow filters to a photo of a rhino.

HTML

<canvas id="canvas" width="400" height="150"></canvas>
<div style="display:none;">
  <img id="source" src="rhino.jpg" />
</div>

JavaScript

const canvas = document.getElementById("canvas");
const ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");
const image = document.getElementById("source");

image.addEventListener("load", (e) => {
  // Draw unfiltered image
  ctx.drawImage(image, 0, 0, image.width * 0.6, image.height * 0.6);

  // Draw image with filter
  ctx.filter = "contrast(1.4) sepia(1) drop-shadow(-9px 9px 3px #e81)";
  ctx.drawImage(image, 400, 0, -image.width * 0.6, image.height * 0.6);
});

Result

• The interface defining this property: CanvasRenderingContext2D
• CSS filter
• CSS <filter-function>