CSS Gradients in One Screen: linear, radial, conic, and the rules nobody spells out

If you've only ever shipped linear-gradient(to right, blue, red) , you're using about one-third of what CSS gradients can do. There are only three functions, and the mental model for each is small. Here's the whole thing in one read. The one fact that makes everything click A gradient is not an image file. Per MDN , a <gradient> is a special kind of <image> that the browser generates at render time . So it: scales to any size without blurring (it's drawn, not sampled) weighs zero bytes (no file, no HTTP request) edits with one hex value instead of a re-export That's why gradients exist. Everything below is just how to steer them. Three functions, three shapes Function Shape Reach for it when linear-gradient() straight line along an axis backgrounds, buttons, overlays radial-gradient() outward from a center point spotlights, glows, vignettes conic-gradient() rotational sweep around a center pie charts, color wheels, spinners Linear - the workhorse background : linear-gradient ( to right , #ff7e5f , #feb47b ); /* orange→peach */ background : linear-gradient ( 135 deg , #6366 f1 0 %, #ec4899 100 %); /* indigo→pink */ Direction is an angle ( 45deg ) or a keyword ( to right , to top right ). Stops are a color plus an optional position. Radial - when the fade should read as light background : radial-gradient ( circle , #fff , #000 ); Shape ( circle vs ellipse ), center position, and sizing keywords ( closest-side , farthest-corner ) do the work. Because the fade tracks distance from a point, radial reads as depth - perfect for glows, vignettes, and spotlight effects. Conic - the one most people skip background : conic-gradient ( #f00 0 25 %, #0 f0 25 % 50 %, #00 f 50 % 75 %, #ff0 75 %); Conic sweeps by angle , not distance. That single difference makes it the right tool for pie charts and color wheels - effects that were hacky before conic-gradient() shipped. The rule that surprises everyone Two color stops at the same position don't fade - they make a hard edge: backgrou