CSS gradients allow you to display smooth transitions between two or more specified colors. They are a powerful design element that can add depth, texture, and a modern feel to your website without the need for large image files. With the PalettePro Gradient Generator, you can create complex linear, radial, and conic gradients with a real-time preview and export the CSS code with a single click.

Gradients have made a huge comeback in modern UI design, used for everything from subtle background overlays to bold, vibrant hero sections.

There are three main types of gradients in CSS, each serving a different aesthetic purpose:

• Linear Gradients: Colors flow in a straight line (up, down, left, right, or at an angle). Most common for backgrounds and buttons.
• Radial Gradients: Colors start from a single point and radiate outward in a circular or elliptical shape. Great for creating a sense of a light source.
• Conic Gradients: Colors rotate around a center point, like a clock face or a pie chart. Perfect for creative UI elements and data visualization.

Beyond just looking good, CSS gradients offer several technical advantages:

• Performance: Unlike images, gradients are generated by the browser, meaning zero extra load time for assets.
• Scalability: Gradients are vector-like; they look crisp on any screen size or resolution (Retina display friendly).
• Flexibility: You can easily change colors, angles, or opacity directly in your stylesheet.

Creating a great gradient takes more than just picking two colors. Here are some professional tips:

• Avoid the 'Gray Middle': When transitioning between colors on opposite sides of the color wheel, you often get a muddy gray in the middle. Add a third 'support' color in the center to keep it vibrant.
• Subtlety is Key: For a premium look, try using two very similar shades. It creates a 'barely there' depth that feels more sophisticated than high-contrast transitions.
• Use Opacity: Transitioning from a solid color to transparency (rgba) is a great way to overlay text on images while maintaining readability.