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Guide
About the CSS Filter Generator
The CSS filter property applies photo-style effects to any element — images, videos, even whole sections — straight in the browser. You can desaturate a photo on hover, dim a hero image behind text, or build Instagram-like presets without editing the original file.
Drag the sliders to combine effects, preview them on your own image, and copy the exact CSS.
The filter functions
- blur(px) — softens the element; great behind modal overlays.
- brightness / contrast (%) — 100% is unchanged; below darkens or flattens.
- saturate (%) — 0% is fully grey, above 100% is punchier.
- grayscale / sepia (%) — classic desaturated and warm-toned looks.
- hue-rotate(deg) — shifts every color around the color wheel.
- invert / opacity (%) — negative effect and transparency.
Order matters
Filters are applied left to right, so the sequence changes the result — for example grayscale(100%) sepia(60%)looks different from the reverse. If a combination isn't behaving as expected, try reordering the functions.
Performance and hover effects
Filters are GPU-accelerated and pair nicely with transitions — a common pattern is a grayscale image that animates to full color on hover. Be a little careful with large blur values on big elements, as they are the most expensive to render, especially on mobile.
How to use it
- 1Start from a preset like Vintage or Black & white, or adjust sliders directly.
- 2Load your own image to preview the effect on real content.
- 3Fine-tune brightness, contrast, and saturation together for a natural look.
- 4Copy the filter CSS into your stylesheet.
Frequently asked questions
What does the CSS filter property do?
It applies visual effects — blur, brightness, contrast, grayscale, hue rotation and more — to an element and everything inside it, without changing the source file.
Can I combine multiple filters?
Yes. Space-separate them in one filter declaration. They apply in order from left to right, so the sequence affects the result.
How do I make an image grayscale until hover?
Set filter: grayscale(100%) normally and filter: none on hover, with a transition on the filter property for a smooth fade.
Does filter affect child elements?
Yes. A filter on a parent applies to all its descendants, and it also creates a new stacking context, which can affect positioning.
Is my image uploaded?
No. The preview image stays in your browser and is never sent to a server.