CSS Function
brightness()
The brightness() filter function adjusts the brightness of an element's rendering, making it lighter or darker.
Syntax
filter: brightness(amount)Parameters
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| amount | number | percentage | Yes | Brightness multiplier: 0 (black), 1/100% (original), >1 (brighter) |
Examples
Darken on hover
Slightly darkens the card on hover.
css
.card:hover {
filter: brightness(0.9);
}Brighten image
Makes the image 30% brighter.
css
img {
filter: brightness(1.3);
}Tailwind utility
Tailwind provides brightness-{value} utilities.
html
<div class="hover:brightness-90 transition">Hover me</div>Browser Support
✓
Chrome
v18++
✓
Firefox
v35++
✓
Safari
v6++
✓
Edge
v12++
✓
Opera
v15++
Tailwind Equivalent
You can achieve similar results in Tailwind CSS using the following utility classes:
brightness-{value}: brightness-50, brightness-100, brightness-150, etc.Frequently Asked Questions
Can brightness exceed 100%?▼
Yes. Values above 1 (100%) increase brightness. Very high values wash out colors toward white.
Is this the same as adjusting lightness in HSL?▼
No. brightness() is a post-render filter that multiplies all pixel values. HSL lightness adjusts the color definition before rendering.
Explore CSS Color Tools
Try our free tools to work with brightness() and other CSS color functions.
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