SVG Gradients vs CSS Gradients

Both create color transitions, but SVG gradients apply to vector shape fills while CSS gradients apply to element backgrounds — different jobs.

Different Application Contexts

SVG's `<linearGradient>` and `<radialGradient>` elements fill specific vector shapes (a path, a circle) precisely following that shape's geometry — CSS gradients (`linear-gradient()`, `radial-gradient()`) apply as backgrounds to any HTML element's box, a fundamentally different application context despite visually similar results.

SVG gradients fill specific vector shape geometry precisely
CSS gradients apply as backgrounds to any HTML element's box
Choose based on whether you're filling a vector shape or an HTML element

Reusability and Capability Differences

SVG gradients defined once can be referenced by multiple shapes via `fill="url(#gradientId)"`, and support `gradientTransform` for repositioning — CSS gradients are typically redeclared per element (though CSS custom properties can share values), and offer conic-gradient() support that SVG's native gradient types don't directly provide.

SVG gradients are reusable across multiple shapes via ID reference
CSS custom properties can share gradient values across declarations
CSS's conic-gradient() has no direct SVG native gradient equivalent

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a CSS gradient as the fill for an SVG shape?

Not directly as a fill value — SVG's fill property expects a color or a reference to an SVG gradient element, not a CSS gradient function; define the gradient using SVG's own linearGradient/radialGradient elements instead.

Does SVG support conic (angular) gradients like CSS does?

Not natively as a dedicated element type — approximating a conic gradient in SVG typically requires more complex techniques (multiple gradient stops with careful angle math, or a filter-based workaround) than CSS's straightforward conic-gradient() function.

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