DOMMatrixReadOnly.scale()

This is an experimental technology
Check the Browser compatibility table carefully before using this in production.

The scale() method of the DOMMatrixReadOnly interface creates a new matrix being the result of the original matrix with a scale transform applied.

Syntax

The scale() method is specified with either one or six values.

DOMMatrix.scale(scaleX[, scaleY][, scaleZ][, originX][, originY][, originZ])

Parameters

scaleX
A multiplier for the scale value on the x-axis.
scaleY Optional
A multiplier for the scale value on the y-axis. If not supplied, this defaults to the value of scaleX.
scaleZ Optional
A multiplier for the scale value on the z-axis. If this value is anything other than 1, the resulting matrix will be 3D.
originX Optional
An x-coordinate for the origin of the transformation. If no origin is supplied, this defaults to 0.
originY Optional
A y-coordinate for the origin of the transformation. If no origin is supplied, this defaults to 0.
originZ Optional
A z-coordinate for the origin of the transformation. If no origin is supplied, this defaults to 0. If this value is anything other than 0, the resulting matrix will be 3D.

Return value

Returns a DOMMatrix containing a new matrix being the result of the matrix x and y dimensions being scaled by the given factor, centered on the origin given. The original matrix is not modified.

If a scale is applied about the z-axis, the resulting matrix will be a 4x4 3D matrix.

Note: At time of writing, Firefox still supports an older version of the specification that accepts either one or three values.

DOMMatrix.scale(scale[, originX][, originY])

We'll show an example of how you can deal with the cross-browser support implications of this in the Examples section, below.

Examples

This SVG contains three squares, one red, one blue, and one green, each positioned at the document origin:

<svg width="250" height="250" viewBox="0 0 25 25">
  <rect width="25" height="25" fill="red" />
  <rect id="transformed" width="25" height="25" fill="blue" />
  <rect id="transformedOrigin" width="25" height="25" fill="green" />
</svg>

This JavaScript first creates an identity matrix, then uses the scale() method to create a new matrix with a single parameter.

We test if the browser supports a six parameter scale() method by creating a new matrix using three parameters and observing it's is2D property — if this is false then the third parameter has been accepted by the browser as a scaleZ parameter, making this a 3D matrix.

We then create a new matrix scaled about a given origin, using either three or six parameters depending on the browser support.

These new matrices are then applied to the blue and green squares as a transform, changing their dimensions and position. The red square is left in place.

const matrix = new DOMMatrixReadOnly();
const scaledMatrix = matrix.scale(0.5);

let scaledMatrixWithOrigin = matrix.scale(0.5, 25, 25);

// if the browser has interpreted these parameters as scaleX, scaleY, scaleZ, the resulting matrix is 3D
const browserExpectsSixParamScale = !scaledMatrixWithOrigin.is2D;
if (browserExpectsSixParamScale) {
  scaledMatrixWithOrigin = matrix.scale(0.5, 0.5, 1, 25, 25, 0);
}

document.querySelector('#transformed').setAttribute('transform', scaledMatrix.toString());
document.querySelector('#transformedOrigin').setAttribute('transform', scaledMatrixWithOrigin.toString());
ScreenshotLive sample

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Geometry Interfaces Module Level 1
The definition of 'DOMMatrixReadOnly.scale()' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation Initial definition

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
scale()Chrome Full support 45Edge Full support 79Firefox Full support 33
Notes
Full support 33
Notes
Notes Firefox 69 introduced support for the modern six-parameter syntax for scale(). Previously, it only supported the older three-parameter syntax: scale(scaleX[, originX][, originY]]]).
IE No support NoOpera Full support 32Safari Full support 11WebView Android Full support 61Chrome Android Full support 45Firefox Android Partial support 33
Notes
Partial support 33
Notes
Notes Firefox for Android only supports the older three-parameter syntax for scale(): scale(scaleX[, originX][, originY]]]), and not the six-parameter syntax.
Opera Android Full support 45Safari iOS Full support 11.3Samsung Internet Android Full support 8.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
Partial support
Partial support
No support
No support
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.