How can I create an 'inverse circle' or 'cut out circle' effect using CSS3?

CSS 3 Shape: "Inverse Circle" or "Cut Out Circle"

Creating shapes that resemble an "inverse circle" or a "cut out circle" in CSS is a common design challenge. Here's a breakdown of how to achieve this effect using CSS 3 techniques:

Update: CSS3 Radial Background Gradient Option

For browsers supporting CSS3 radial background gradients (e.g., Firefox, Chrome), a transparent "gap" can be created between the circle and its inverse cutout:

HTML:

<div>
<p><strong>CSS:</strong></p>
<pre class="brush:php;toolbar:false">.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;
  padding-left: 30px;
  margin-left: -30px;
  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;
  background-image: -moz-radial-gradient(
    -23px 50%,
    circle closest-corner,
    transparent 0,
    transparent 55px,
    black 56px,
    grey 57px
  );
}

Original Answer:

Using z-indexing and positioning, a clean "inverse circle" effect can be achieved:

HTML:

<div>
<p><strong>CSS:</strong></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;
  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;
  height: 114px;
  border-radius: 57px;
  background-color: black;
}

Both methods result in a visually appealing "inverse circle" effect without the need for images.