Web/API/CanvasRenderingContext2D/translate

The CanvasRenderingContext2D.translate() method of the Canvas 2D API adds a translation transformation to the current matrix.

Syntax

void ctx.translate(x, y);

The translate() method adds a translation transformation to the current matrix by moving the canvas and its origin x units horizontally and y units vertically on the grid.

[[File:../../../../../../media.prod.mdn.mozit.cloud/attachments/2012/07/09/234/44d60edf0b62f8175221c516430bf982/Canvas_grid_translate.png|class=internal]]

Parameters

x: Distance to move in the horizontal direction. Positive values are to the right, and negative to the left.
y: Distance to move in the vertical direction. Positive values are down, and negative are up.

Examples

Moving a shape

This example draws a square that is moved from its default position by the translate() method. An unmoved square of the same size is then drawn for comparison.

HTML

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

JavaScript

The translate() method translates the context by 110 horizontally and 30 vertically. The first square is shifted by those amounts from its default position.

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

// Moved square
ctx.translate(110, 30);
ctx.fillStyle = 'red';
ctx.fillRect(0, 0, 80, 80);

// Reset current transformation matrix to the identity matrix
ctx.setTransform(1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0);

// Unmoved square
ctx.fillStyle = 'gray';
ctx.fillRect(0, 0, 80, 80);

Result

The moved square is red, and the unmoved square is gray.

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
HTML Living StandardThe definition of 'CanvasRenderingContext2D.translate' in that specification.	Living Standard

Browser compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub

	Desktop						Mobile
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Firefox for Android	Opera for Android	Safari on iOS	Samsung Internet
`translate`	Chrome Full support Yes	Edge Full support 12	Firefox Full support 1.5	IE Full support Yes	Opera Full support Yes	Safari Full support Yes	WebView Android Full support Yes	Chrome Android Full support Yes	Firefox Android Full support 4	Opera Android Full support Yes	Safari iOS Full support Yes	Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support: Full support