Can I Create an Inverse Circle Effect in CSS Without Using Images?

Shaping CSS3: Mastering the "Inverse Circle" Illusion

Dilemma: Sculpting a Negative Space

Envisioning a shape that resembles an "inverse circle" can be baffling. It's as if the black border vanishes along the div's outer edge, leaving a cut-out effect against a solid background. Is this feat possible with CSS alone, or are images mandatory?

Solution 1 (Original): Geometry and Z-Index Manipulation

Through careful arrangement of divs and clever use of z-indexing, a deceptive inverse circle effect can be achieved without resorting to imagery. By incorporating negative z-indexes and precise offsets, this solution ensures the illusion holds up in browsers like IE9, Firefox, and Chrome.

Solution 2 (Update): Harnessing Radial Background Gradients

Fortifying CSS3's capabilities, radial background gradients emerge as a viable option in browsers like Firefox, Chrome, IE10, and Safari. This innovative approach allows for more flexibility, enabling the creation of inverse circles even in scenarios with transparent backgrounds.

Implementation

Original Solution:

HTML:

<div>
<p>CSS:</p>
<pre class="brush:php;toolbar:false">.inversePair {
    border: 1px solid black;
    background: grey;
    display: inline-block;    
    position: relative;    
    height: 100px;
    text-align: center;
    line-height: 100px;
    vertical-align: middle;
}

#a {
    width: 100px;
    border-radius: 50px;
}

#a:before {
    content:' ';
    left: -6px;
    top: -6px;
    position: absolute;
    z-index: -1;
    width: 112px; /* 5px gap */
    height: 112px;
    border-radius: 56px;
    background-color: white;
} 

#b {
    width: 200px;
    z-index: -2;
    padding-left: 50px;
    margin-left: -55px;
    overflow: hidden;
    -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 20px;
    -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 20px;
    -moz-border-radius-topright: 20px;
    -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 20px;
    border-top-right-radius: 20px;
    border-bottom-right-radius: 20px;
}

#b:before {
    content:' ';
    left: -58px;
    top: -7px;
    position: absolute;
    width: 114px; /* 5px gap, 1px border */
    height: 114px;
    border-radius: 57px;
    background-color: black;
} 

Radial Gradient Solution:

HTML: Identical to the original solution.

CSS:

.inversePair {
    border: 1px solid black;
    display: inline-block;    
    position: relative;    
    height: 100px;
    text-align: center;
    line-height: 100px;
    vertical-align: middle;
}

#a {
    width: 100px;
    border-radius: 50px;
    background: grey;
    z-index: 1;
}

#b {
    width: 200px;
    /* need to play with margin/padding adjustment
       based on your desired "gap" */
    padding-left: 30px;
    margin-left: -30px;
    /* real borders */
    border-left: none;
    -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 20px;
    -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 20px;
    -moz-border-radius-topright: 20px;
    -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 20px;
    border-top-right-radius: 20px;
    border-bottom-right-radius: 20px;
    /* the inverse circle "cut" */
    background-image: -moz-radial-gradient(
        -23px 50%, /* the -23px left position varies by your "gap" */
        circle closest-corner, /* keep radius to half height */
        transparent 0, /* transparent at center */
        transparent 55px, /*transparent at edge of gap */
        black 56px, /* start circle "border" */
        grey 57px /* end circle border and begin color of rest of background */
    );
    background-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(-23px 50%, circle closest-corner, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 55px, black 56px, grey 57px);
    background-image: -ms-radial-gradient(-23px 50%, circle closest-corner, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 55px, black 56px, grey 57px);
    background-image: -o-radial-gradient(-23px 50%, circle closest-corner, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 55px, black 56px, grey 57px);
    background-image: radial-gradient(-23px 50%, circle closest-corner, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 55px, black 56px, grey 57px);
}