contrast()

The contrast() CSS function adjusts the contrast of the input image. Its result is a <filter-function>.

Try it

Syntax

css
contrast(amount)

Values

amount

The contrast of the result, specified as a <number> or a <percentage>. A value under 100% decreases the contrast, while a value over 100% increases it. A value of 0 or 0% will create an image that is completely gray, while a value of 1 or 100% leaves the input unchanged. Negative values are not allowed. The initial value for interpolation is 1.

The following are pairs of equivalent values:

css
contrast(0) /* Completely gray */
contrast(0%)

contrast(0.65) /* 65% contrast */
contrast(65%)

contrast(1)     /* No effect */
contrast(100%)

contrast(2)  /* Double contrast */
contrast(200%)

Formal syntax

<contrast()> = 
contrast( [ <number> | <percentage> ]? )

Examples

With the backdrop-filter property

This example applies a contrast() filter via the backdrop-filter CSS property to the paragraph and monospaced text, color shifting to the area behind the <p> and <code>.

css
.container {
  background: url(image.jpg) no-repeat center / contain #339;
}
p {
  backdrop-filter: contrast(0.5);
}
code {
  backdrop-filter: contrast(0.15);
}

With the filter property

This example applies a contrast() filter via the filter CSS property, changing contrast by shifting colors of the entire element, including content, border, background, and shadows.

css
p:first-of-type {
  filter: contrast(30%);
}
p:last-of-type {
  filter: contrast(300%);
}

With url() and the SVG contrast filter

The SVG <filter> element is used to define custom filter effects that can then be referenced by id. The <filter>'s <feComponentTransfer> primitive enables pixel-level color remapping. Given the following:

svg
  <filter id="contrast">
    <feComponentTransfer>
      <feFuncR type="linear" slope="2" intercept="-0.5"/>
      <feFuncG type="linear" slope="2" intercept="-0.5"/>
      <feFuncB type="linear" slope="2" intercept="-0.5"/>
    </feComponentTransfer>
  </filter>

These values produce the same results:

css
filter: contrast(200%);
filter: url(#contrast); /* with embedded SVG */
filter: url(folder/fileName.svg#contrast); /* external svg filter definition */

This example shows three images: the image with a contrast() filter function applied, the image with an equivalent url() filter applied, and the original images for comparison:

Specifications

Specification
Filter Effects Module Level 1
# funcdef-filter-contrast

Browser compatibility

BCD tables only load in the browser

See also