CSS Border Image

Subject: css

CSS Border Image

CSS Border Image is a powerful property that lets you use an image as the border of an HTML element. It replaces the traditional solid, dashed, or dotted lines with a custom image-based border, providing a more decorative and flexible styling option.

Properties Used for Border Image

To apply an image border, the following CSS properties are commonly used:

  • border-image-source: Specifies the image to be used as a border
  • border-image-slice: Defines how to slice the image into sections
  • border-image-width: Controls the width of the image border
  • border-image-repeat: Determines how the image is repeated or stretched
  • border: Still required to initially create a border area

Example: Applying a Border Image

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Note: The image used in border-image-source must be accessible and designed to work as a border (with clear edges or patterns).

Shorthand Syntax

Instead of writing multiple properties, you can use the shorthand:

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This combines:

  • border-image-source
  • border-image-slice
  • border-image-repeat

Common Values for border-image-repeat

  • stretch: Stretches the image to fill the border
  • repeat: Repeats the image along the border
  • round: Repeats and scales the image to fit evenly
  • space: Distributes images with space in between

When to Use Border Image

  • Decorative frames or boxes
  • Stylized containers or sections
  • Custom design requirements that can't be achieved with plain borders

Key Takeaways

  • border-image allows you to use an image as a border for HTML elements
  • Use border-image-slice to divide the image into parts for corners and edges
  • Always define a fallback border in case the image fails to load
  • Avoid large or overly complex images for better performance
  • Use the shorthand syntax for cleaner and more maintainable CSS
Next: CSS Rounded Corners