CSS Basics: background-blend-mode

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a powerful tool that allows web developers to control the visual appearance of their websites. One of the many CSS properties available is background-blend-mode, which enables the blending of background images and colors. In this article, we will explore the basics of background-blend-mode and how it can enhance the design of your website.

Understanding background-blend-mode

The background-blend-mode property determines how the background image or color blends with the elements that appear above it. It takes a blending mode value, similar to those used in image editing software like Photoshop. The blending modes available are:

• normal: The default blending mode, where the background image or color is not affected by the elements above it.
• multiply: Multiplies the background color or image with the elements above it, resulting in a darker blend.
• screen: Creates a lighter blend by multiplying the inverse of the background color or image with the elements above it.
• overlay: Combines the multiply and screen blending modes, resulting in a high-contrast blend.
• darken: Selects the darkest color between the background color or image and the elements above it.
• lighten: Selects the lightest color between the background color or image and the elements above it.
• color-dodge: Brightens the background color or image based on the elements above it.
• color-burn: Darkens the background color or image based on the elements above it.
• hard-light: Combines the multiply and screen blending modes, resulting in a high-contrast blend with more emphasis on the background color or image.
• soft-light: Similar to overlay, but with a softer blend.
• difference: Calculates the absolute difference between the background color or image and the elements above it.
• exclusion: Similar to difference, but with a lower contrast blend.

Applying background-blend-mode

To use background-blend-mode, you need to apply it to the element that has the background image or color. Here's an example:

.my-element {
  background-image: url('background.jpg');
  background-color: #ff0000;
  background-blend-mode: multiply;
}

In the above example, the .my-element class has a background image and a background color. The background-blend-mode property is set to multiply, resulting in a darker blend between the background image and color.

Browser Compatibility

It's important to note that background-blend-mode is not supported in all web browsers. As of now, it is supported in most modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. However, it may not work in older versions of Internet Explorer.

Conclusion

The background-blend-mode property is a valuable tool for web developers to create visually appealing websites. By blending background images and colors with the elements above them, you can achieve unique and eye-catching designs. Experiment with different blending modes to find the perfect combination for your website.

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