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web api instance property

CanvasRenderingContext2D: lineCap property

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The CanvasRenderingContext2D.lineCap property of the Canvas 2D API determines the shape used to draw the end points of lines.

[!NOTE] Lines can be drawn with the stroke(), strokeRect(), and strokeText() methods.

Value

One of the following:

  • "butt"
    • : The ends of lines are squared off at the endpoints. Default value.
  • "round"
    • : The ends of lines are rounded.
  • "square"
    • : The ends of lines are squared off by adding a box with an equal width and half the height of the line’s thickness.

Examples

Changing the shape of line caps

This example rounds the end caps of a straight line.

HTML

<canvas id="canvas"></canvas>

JavaScript

const canvas = document.getElementById("canvas");
const ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");

ctx.beginPath();
ctx.moveTo(20, 20);
ctx.lineWidth = 15;
ctx.lineCap = "round";
ctx.lineTo(100, 100);
ctx.stroke();

Result

Interactive exampleOpen the canonical MDN source to run this embedded demo.

Comparison of line caps

In this example three lines are drawn, each with a different value for the lineCap property. Two guides to see the exact differences between the three are added. Each of these lines starts and ends exactly on these guides.

The line on the left uses the default "butt" option. It’s drawn completely flush with the guides. The second is set to use the "round" option. This adds a semicircle to the end that has a radius half the width of the line. The line on the right uses the "square" option. This adds a box with an equal width and half the height of the line thickness.

<canvas id="canvas" width="150" height="150"></canvas>

const canvas = document.getElementById("canvas");
const ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");

// Draw guides
ctx.strokeStyle = "#0099ff";
ctx.beginPath();
ctx.moveTo(10, 10);
ctx.lineTo(140, 10);
ctx.moveTo(10, 140);
ctx.lineTo(140, 140);
ctx.stroke();

// Draw lines
ctx.strokeStyle = "black";
["butt", "round", "square"].forEach((lineCap, i) => {
  ctx.lineWidth = 15;
  ctx.lineCap = lineCap;
  ctx.beginPath();
  ctx.moveTo(25 + i * 50, 10);
  ctx.lineTo(25 + i * 50, 140);
  ctx.stroke();
});
Interactive exampleOpen the canonical MDN source to run this embedded demo.

Specifications

SpecificationsStandards references are available on the canonical MDN page.

Browser compatibility

Browser compatibilityCompatibility data is available on the canonical MDN page.
  • In WebKit- and Blink-based Browsers, a non-standard and deprecated method ctx.setLineCap() is implemented in addition to this property.

See also