<textPath>

In addition to text drawn in a straight line, SVG also includes the ability to place text along the shape of a <path> element. To specify that a block of text is to be rendered along the shape of a <path>, include the given text within a textPath element which includes an xlink:href attribute with a reference to a <path> element.

Usage context

CategoriesText content element, Text content child element
Permitted contentCharacter data and any number of the following elements, in any order:
Descriptive elements
<a>, <altGlyph>, <animate>, <animateColor>, <set>, <tref>, <tspan>

Example

<svg width="100%" height="100%" viewBox="0 0 1000 300"
     xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" 
     xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">
  <defs>
    <path id="MyPath"
          d="M 100 200 
             C 200 100 300   0 400 100
             C 500 200 600 300 700 200
             C 800 100 900 100 900 100" />
  </defs>

  <use xlink:href="#MyPath" fill="none" stroke="red"  />

  <text font-family="Verdana" font-size="42.5">
    <textPath xlink:href="#MyPath">
      We go up, then we go down, then up again
    </textPath>
  </text>

  <!-- Show outline of the viewport using 'rect' element -->
  <rect x="1" y="1" width="998" height="298"
        fill="none" stroke="black" stroke-width="2" />
</svg>

Live result:

Attributes

Global attributes

Specific attributes

DOM Interface

This element implements the SVGTextPathElement interface.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 2
The definition of '<textPath>' in that specification.
Working Draft  
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 1.1 (Second Edition)
The definition of '<textPath>' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support ? ? ? ? ?
Feature Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Phone Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support ? ? ? ? ?

Document Tags and Contributors

 Contributors to this page: Sebastianz, jswisher, kimo9191919, kscarfone, Jeremie
 Last updated by: Sebastianz,