The backdrop-filter Property

The backdrop-filter property allows applying filters (blur, contrast changes, color effects) to the area behind an element. This creates a "glass" or "frosted glass" effect.

Syntax

selector {
	backdrop-filter: none | <filter> [<filter>]*;
}

Values

Value	Description
`none`	No filters are applied (default value).
`blur()`	Applies blur effect (e.g.: `blur(5px)`).
`brightness()`	Adjusts background brightness (e.g.: `brightness(0.5)`).
`contrast()`	Adjusts background contrast (e.g.: `contrast(200%)`).
`drop-shadow()`	Adds shadow to the background.
`grayscale()`	Converts background to grayscale (e.g.: `grayscale(100%)`).
`hue-rotate()`	Changes background hue (e.g.: `hue-rotate(90deg)`).
`invert()`	Inverts background colors (e.g.: `invert(100%)`).
`opacity()`	Adjusts background transparency (e.g.: `opacity(50%)`).
`sepia()`	Applies sepia to background (e.g.: `sepia(100%)`).
`saturate()`	Adjusts background color saturation (e.g.: `saturate(200%)`).

Multiple filters can be combined by listing them with spaces in between.

Example . Simple blur

Basic background blur effect:

<div class="blur-example">
	<div class="blur-box">
		Backdrop blur effect
	</div>
</div>

.blur-example {
	background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea, #764ba2);
	padding: 40px;
	height: 200px;
}

.blur-box {
	backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
	background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
	border-radius: 8px;
	padding: 20px;
	width: 80%;
	margin: 0 auto;
	text-align: center;
	color: white;
	font-size: 22px;
}

Example . Warm light filter

Warm lighting effect with increased brightness:

<div class="warm-light-bg">
	<div class="warm-light">
		Warm lighting effect
	</div>
</div>

.warm-light-bg {
	background: url('bg.png');
	background-size: cover;
	padding: 50px;
	height: 250px;
}

.warm-light {
	backdrop-filter: brightness(1.2) hue-rotate(20deg);
	background-color: rgba(255, 235, 205, 0.3);
	padding: 25px;
	width: 70%;
	margin: 20px auto;
	text-align: center;
	color: #333;
	font-size: 24px;
}

Example . Blur with gradient mask

Combination of blur and semi-transparent gradient:

<div class="gradient-mask">
	<div class="mask-content">
		Gradient mask effect
	</div>
</div>

.gradient-mask {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 50px;
	height: 300px;
}

.mask-content {
	backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
	background: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(255,255,255,0.3), rgba(255,255,255,0));
	padding: 30px;
	width: 80%;
	margin: 0 auto;
}

Example . Old film effect

Combination of sepia and grain:

<div class="old-film">
	<div class="film-effect">
		Old film effect
	</div>
</div>

.old-film {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 40px;
	height: 250px;
}

.film-effect {
	backdrop-filter: sepia(80%) contrast(110%) brightness(90%);
	background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
	padding: 25px;
	width: 70%;
	margin: 20px auto;
}

Example . Cool blue filter

Cool lighting effect:

<div class="cold-bg">
	<div class="cold-effect">
		Cool blue filter
	</div>
</div>

.cold-bg {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 50px;
	height: 300px;
}

.cold-effect {
	backdrop-filter: hue-rotate(180deg) brightness(85%);
	background-color: rgba(200,230,255,0.2);
	padding: 30px;
	width: 75%;
	margin: 0 auto;
}

Example . High contrast

Increased contrast effect:

<div class="contrast-bg">
	<div class="contrast-effect">
		High contrast
	</div>
</div>

.contrast-bg {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 40px;
	height: 250px;
}

.contrast-effect {
	backdrop-filter: contrast(200%) brightness(90%);
	background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
	padding: 25px;
	width: 70%;
	margin: 20px auto;
}

Example . Watercolor effect

Soft blur with increased saturation:

<div class="watercolor-bg">
	<div class="watercolor-effect">
		Watercolor effect
	</div>
</div>

.watercolor-bg {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 50px;
	height: 300px;
}

.watercolor-effect {
	backdrop-filter: blur(12px) saturate(200%);
	background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.15);
	padding: 30px;
	width: 80%;
	margin: 0 auto;
}

Example . Background shadow

Shadow effect on background image:

<div class="shadow-bg">
	<div class="shadow-effect">
		Drop shadow effect
	</div>
</div>

.shadow-bg {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 40px;
	height: 250px;
}

.shadow-effect {
	backdrop-filter: drop-shadow(4px 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.5));
	background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.2);
	padding: 25px;
	width: 70%;
	margin: 20px auto;
}

Example . Full inversion

Complete color inversion of the background:

<div class="invert-bg">
	<div class="invert-effect">
		Full inversion
	</div>
</div>

.invert-bg {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 50px;
	height: 300px;
}

.invert-effect {
	backdrop-filter: invert(100%);
	background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
	padding: 30px;
	width: 80%;
	margin: 0 auto;
}

Example . Darkening effect

Background darkening while maintaining text readability:

<div class="darken-bg">
	<div class="darken-effect">
		Darkened background
	</div>
</div>

.darken-bg {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 50px;
	height: 300px;
}

.darken-effect {
	backdrop-filter: brightness(40%);
	background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
	color: white;
	padding: 30px;
	width: 80%;
	margin: 0 auto;
}

Example . Grayscale effect

Complete background desaturation:

<div class="grayscale-bg">
	<div class="grayscale-effect">
		Grayscale filter
	</div>
</div>

.grayscale-bg {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 50px;
	height: 300px;
}

.grayscale-effect {
	backdrop-filter: grayscale(100%);
	background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.2);
	padding: 30px;
	width: 80%;
	margin: 0 auto;
}

Example . High saturation effect

Enhanced background colors:

<div class="saturate-bg">
	<div class="saturate-effect">
		Super saturated colors
	</div>
</div>

.saturate-bg {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 50px;
	height: 300px;
}

.saturate-effect {
	backdrop-filter: saturate(300%);
	background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.1);
	padding: 30px;
	width: 80%;
	margin: 0 auto;
}

Example . Combined artistic effect

Combination of multiple filters for artistic effect:

<div class="artistic-bg">
	<div class="artistic-effect">
		Artistic combination
	</div>
</div>

.artistic-bg {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 50px;
	height: 300px;
}

.artistic-effect {
	backdrop-filter: blur(3px) hue-rotate(90deg) saturate(150%) contrast(120%);
	background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.15);
	padding: 30px;
	width: 80%;
	margin: 0 auto;
	color: white;
	text-shadow: 0 0 5px black;
}

Example . Transparency effect

Background transparency adjustment:

<div class="opacity-bg">
	<div class="opacity-effect">
		Opacity control
	</div>
</div>

.opacity-bg {
	background: url('bg.png') center/cover;
	padding: 50px;
	height: 300px;
}

.opacity-effect {
	backdrop-filter: opacity(50%);
	background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
	color: white;
	padding: 30px;
	width: 80%;
	margin: 0 auto;
}

Browser support

The property is supported in most modern browsers but may require the -webkit- prefix for full cross-browser compatibility.