With Version 8.7.0 Mermaid comes out with a system for dynamic and integrated configuration of the diagram themes. The objective of this is to increase the customizability of mermaid and the ease of Styling, with the customization of themes through the %%init%%
directive and initialize
calls.
Themes follow and build upon the Levels of Configuration and employ directives
to modify and create custom configurations, as they were introduced in Version 8.6.0.
**These Theming Configurations, similar to directives, will also be made applicable in the Live-Editor, to maximize customizability.
Site-wide themes are still declared via initialize
by site owners.
Example of Initalize
call setting theme
to base
:
mermaidAPI.initialize({
'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme': 'base'
});
Notes: Only site owners can use the mermaidAPI.initialize
call, to set values. Site-Users will have to use %%init%%
to modify or create the theme for their diagrams.
When Generating a diagram using on a webpage that supports mermaid. It is also possible to override site-wide theme settings locally, for a specific diagram, using directives, as long as it is not prohibited by the secure
array.
%%{init: {'theme':'base'}}%%
graph TD
a --> b
Here is an example of how %%init%%
can set the theme to 'base', this assumes that themeVariables
are set to default:
%%{init: {'theme':'base'}}%%
graph TD
A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
B --> C{Let me think}
B --> G[/Another/]
C ==>|One| D[Laptop]
C -->|Two| E[iPhone]
C -->|Three| F[fa:fa-car Car]
subgraph section
C
D
E
F
G
end
The easiest way to make a custom theme is to start with the base theme, and just modify theme variables through themeVariables
, via %%init%%
.
Parameter | Description | Type | Required | Objects contained |
---|---|---|---|---|
themeVariables | Array containing objects, modifiable with the %%init%% directive |
Array | Required | primaryColor, lineColor, textColor |
Here is an example of overriding primaryColor
through themeVariables
and giving everything a different look, using %%init%%
.
%%{init: {'theme': 'base', 'themeVariables': { 'primaryColor': '#ff0000'}}}%%
graph TD
A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
B --> C{Let me think}
B --> G[/Another/]
C ==>|One| D[Laptop]
C -->|Two| E[iPhone]
C -->|Three| F[fa:fa-car Car]
subgraph section
C
D
E
F
G
end
%%{init: {'theme': 'base', 'themeVariables': { 'primaryColor': '#00ff00'}}}%%
graph TD
A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
B --> C{Let me think}
B --> G[/Another/]
C ==>|One| D[Laptop]
C -->|Two| E[iPhone]
C -->|Three| F[fa:fa-car Car]
subgraph section
C
D
E
F
G
end
Notes: Leaving it empty will set all variable values to default.
Color definitions have certain interactions in mermaid, this is in order to ensure visibility for diagrams. mermaid will adjust some variables automatically, when colors are changed in order to compensate and maintain readability.
The Default Value Column to the right of the Variable column will denote the Variable paired/associated with the Variable on the left and the nature of this pairing or association. If it for instance says primaryColor it means that it gets primaryColor as default value. If it says "based on primaryColor" it means that it is calculated/ derived from primaryColor. This calculation can be primary color inversion, a change of hue, darkening or lightening by 10%, etc.
You can create your own themes, by changing any of the given variables below. If you are using a dark background, set dark mode to true to adjust the colors. It is possible to override the calculations using the variable names below, with %%init%%
if you wish to style it differently.
Variables that are unique to some diagrams can be affected by changes in Theme Variables
Variable | Default/Base/Factor value | Calc | Description |
---|---|---|---|
darkMode | false | Boolean Value that dictates how to calculate colors. "true" will activate darkmode. | |
background | #f4f4f4 | Used to calculate color for items that should either be background colored or contrasting to the background. | |
primaryColor | #fff4dd | Color to be used as background in nodes, other colors will be derived from this | |
fontFamily | "trebuchet ms", verdana, arial | ||
fontSize | 16px | Font Size, in pixels | |
secondaryColor | based on primaryColor | * | |
tertiaryColor | based on primaryColor | * | |
primaryBorderColor | based on primaryColor | * | Color to be used as border in nodes using primaryColor |
primaryTextColor | based on darkMode #ddd/#333 | * | Color to be used as text color in nodes using primaryColor |
secondaryBorderColor | based on secondaryColor | * | Color to be used as border in nodes using secondaryColor |
secondaryTextColor | based on secondaryColor | * | Color to be used as text color in nodes using secondaryColor |
tertiaryBorderColor | based on tertiaryColor | * | Color to be used as border in nodes using tertiaryColor |
tertiaryTextColor | based on tertiaryColor | * | Color to be used as text color in nodes using tertiaryColor |
noteBkgColor | #fff5ad | Color used as background in notes | |
noteTextColor | #333 | Text color in note rectangles. | |
noteBorderColor | based on noteBkgColor | * | Border color in note rectangles. |
lineColor | based on background | * | |
textColor | based on primaryTextColor | * | Text in diagram over the background for instance text on labels and on signals in sequence diagram or the title in gantt diagram |
mainBkg | based on primaryColor | * | Background in flowchart objects like rects/circles, class diagram classes, sequence diagram etc |
errorBkgColor | tertiaryColor | * | Color for syntax error message |
errorTextColor | tertiaryTextColor | * | Color for syntax error message |
Some Theme Variables serve as, or affect the Default Values for Specific Diagram Variables, unless changed using %%init%%
.
Variable | Default/ Associated Value | Calc | Description |
---|---|---|---|
nodeBorder | primaryBorderColor | * | Node Border Color |
clusterBkg | tertiaryColor | * | Background in subgraphs |
clusterBorder | tertiaryBorderColor | * | Cluster Border Color |
defaultLinkColor | lineColor | * | Link Color |
titleColor | tertiaryTextColor | * | Title Color |
edgeLabelBackground | based on secondaryColor | * | |
nodeTextColor | primaryTextColor | * | Color for text inside Nodes. |
name | Default value | Calc | Description |
---|---|---|---|
actorBorder | primaryBorderColor | * | Actor Border Color |
actorBkg | mainBkg | * | Actor Background Color |
actorTextColor | primaryTextColor | * | Actor Text Color |
actorLineColor | grey | * | Actor Line Color |
labelBoxBkgColor | actorBkg | * | Label Box Background Color |
signalColor | textColor | * | Signal Color |
signalTextColor | textColor | * | Signal Text Color |
labelBoxBorderColor | actorBorder | * | Label Box Border Color |
labelTextColor | actorTextColor | * | Label Text Color |
loopTextColor | actorTextColor | * | Loop ext Color |
activationBorderColor | based on secondaryColor | * | Activation Border Color |
activationBkgColor | secondaryColor | * | Activation Background Color |
sequenceNumberColor | based on lineColor | * | Sequence Number Color |
name | Default value | Calc | Description |
---|---|---|---|
labelColor | primaryTextColor | * | |
altBackground | tertiaryColor | * | Used for background in deep composite states |
name | Default value | Calc | Description |
---|---|---|---|
classText | textColor | * | Color of Text in class diagrams |
name | Default value | Calc | Description |
---|---|---|---|
fillType0 | primaryColor | * | Fill for 1st section in journey diagram |
fillType1 | secondaryColor | * | Fill for 2nd section in journey diagram |
fillType2 | based on primaryColor | * | Fill for 3rd section in journey diagram |
fillType3 | based on secondaryColor | * | Fill for 4th section in journey diagram |
fillType4 | based on primaryColor | * | Fill for 5th section in journey diagram |
fillType5 | based on secondaryColor | * | Fill for 6th section in journey diagram |
fillType6 | based on primaryColor | * | Fill for 7th section in journey diagram |
fillType7 | based on secondaryColor | * | Fill for 8th section in journey diagram |
**Notes: Values are meant to create an alternating look.
Here is an example of overriding primaryColor
and giving everything a different look, using %%init%%
.
%%{init: {'theme': 'base', 'themeVariables': { 'primaryColor': '#ff0000'}}}%%
graph TD
A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
B --> C{Let me think}
B --> G[/Another/]
C ==>|One| D[Laptop]
C -->|Two| E[iPhone]
C -->|Three| F[fa:fa-car Car]
subgraph section
C
D
E
F
G
end
%%{init: {'theme': 'base', 'themeVariables': { 'primaryColor': '#ff0000'}}}%%
graph TD
A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
B --> C{Let me think}
B --> G[/Another/]
C ==>|One| D[Laptop]
C -->|Two| E[iPhone]
C -->|Three| F[fa:fa-car Car]
subgraph section
C
D
E
F
G
end
**This got a bit too dark and bit too colorful. With some easy steps this can be fixed:
- Make the primary color a little lighter
- set the tertiary color to a reddish shade as well
- make the edge label background differ from the subgraph by setting the edgeLabelBackground
%%{init: {'theme': 'base', 'themeVariables': { 'primaryColor': '#ffcccc', 'edgeLabelBackground':'#ffffee', 'tertiaryColor': '#fff0f0'}}}%%
graph TD
A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
B --> C{Let me think}
B --> G[/Another/]
C ==>|One| D[Laptop]
C -->|Two| E[iPhone]
C -->|Three| F[fa:fa-car Car]
subgraph section
C
D
E
F
G
end
%%{init: {'theme': 'base', 'themeVariables': { 'primaryColor': '#ffcccc', 'edgeLabelBackground':'#ffffee', 'tertiaryColor': '#fff0f0'}}}%%
graph TD
A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
B --> C{Let me think}
B --> G[/Another/]
C ==>|One| D[Laptop]
C -->|Two| E[iPhone]
C -->|Three| F[fa:fa-car Car]
subgraph section
C
D
E
F
G
end
The Theming Engine does not admit color codes and will only accept proper color values. Color Names is not supported so for instance, the color value 'red' will not work, but '#ff0000' will work.
When adjusting a theme it might be helpful to look at how your preferred theme goes with the diagrams, to evaluate whether everything is visible and looks good.
In the following examples, the directive init
is used, with the theme
being declared as base
. For more information on using directives, read the documentation for Version 8.6.0
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
graph TD
A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
B --> C{Let me think}
B --> G[/Another/]
C ==>|One| D[Laptop]
C -->|Two| E[iPhone]
C -->|Three| F[fa:fa-car Car]
subgraph section
C
D
E
F
G
end
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
graph TD
A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
B --> C{Let me think}
B --> G[/Another/]
C ==>|One| D[Laptop]
C -->|Two| E[iPhone]
C -->|Three| F[fa:fa-car Car]
subgraph section
C
D
E
F
G
end
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
flowchart TD
A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
B --> C{Let me think}
B --> G[Another]
C ==>|One| D[Laptop]
C x--x|Two| E[iPhone]
C o--o|Three| F[fa:fa-car Car]
subgraph section
C
D
E
F
G
end
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
flowchart TD
A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
B --> C{Let me think}
B --> G[Another]
C ==>|One| D[Laptop]
C x--x|Two| E[iPhone]
C o--o|Three| F[fa:fa-car Car]
subgraph section
C
D
E
F
G
end
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
sequenceDiagram
autonumber
par Action 1
Alice->>John: Hello John, how are you?
and Action 2
Alice->>Bob: Hello Bob, how are you?
end
Alice->>+John: Hello John, how are you?
Alice->>+John: John, can you hear me?
John-->>-Alice: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
Note right of John: John is perceptive
John-->>-Alice: I feel great!
loop Every minute
John-->Alice: Great!
end
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
sequenceDiagram
autonumber
par Action 1
Alice->>John: Hello John, how are you?
and Action 2
Alice->>Bob: Hello Bob, how are you?
end
Alice->>+John: Hello John, how are you?
Alice->>+John: John, can you hear me?
John-->>-Alice: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
Note right of John: John is perceptive
John-->>-Alice: I feel great!
loop Every minute
John-->Alice: Great!
end
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
classDiagram
Animal "1" <|-- Duck
Animal <|-- Fish
Animal <--o Zebra
Animal : +int age
Animal : +String gender
Animal: +isMammal()
Animal: +mate()
class Duck{
+String beakColor
+swim()
+quack()
}
class Fish{
-int sizeInFeet
-canEat()
}
class Zebra{
+bool is_wild
+run()
}
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
classDiagram
Animal "1" <|-- Duck
Animal <|-- Fish
Animal <--o Zebra
Animal : +int age
Animal : +String gender
Animal: +isMammal()
Animal: +mate()
class Duck{
+String beakColor
+swim()
+quack()
}
class Fish{
-int sizeInFeet
-canEat()
}
class Zebra{
+bool is_wild
+run()
}
gantt
dateFormat :YYYY-MM-DD
title Adding GANTT diagram functionality to mermaid
excludes :excludes the named dates/days from being included in a charted task..
section A section
Completed task :done, des1, 2014-01-06,2014-01-08
Active task :active, des2, 2014-01-09, 3d
Future task : des3, after des2, 5d
Future task2 : des4, after des3, 5d
section Critical tasks
Completed task in the critical line :crit, done, 2014-01-06,24h
Implement parser and jison :crit, done, after des1, 2d
Create tests for parser :crit, active, 3d
Future task in critical line :crit, 5d
Create tests for renderer :2d
Add to mermaid :1d
section Documentation
Describe gantt syntax :active, a1, after des1, 3d
Add gantt diagram to demo page :after a1 , 20h
Add another diagram to demo page :doc1, after a1 , 48h
section Last section
Describe gantt syntax :after doc1, 3d
Add gantt diagram to demo page :20h
Add another diagram to demo page :48h
gantt
dateFormat :YYYY-MM-DD
title Adding GANTT diagram functionality to mermaid
excludes :excludes the named dates/days from being included in a charted task..
section A section
Completed task :done, des1, 2014-01-06,2014-01-08
Active task :active, des2, 2014-01-09, 3d
Future task : des3, after des2, 5d
Future task2 : des4, after des3, 5d
section Critical tasks
Completed task in the critical line :crit, done, 2014-01-06,24h
Implement parser and jison :crit, done, after des1, 2d
Create tests for parser :crit, active, 3d
Future task in critical line :crit, 5d
Create tests for renderer :2d
Add to mermaid :1d
section Documentation
Describe gantt syntax :active, a1, after des1, 3d
Add gantt diagram to demo page :after a1 , 20h
Add another diagram to demo page :doc1, after a1 , 48h
section Last section
Describe gantt syntax :after doc1, 3d
Add gantt diagram to demo page :20h
Add another diagram to demo page :48h
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
stateDiagram
[*] --> Active
state Active {
[*] --> NumLockOff
NumLockOff --> NumLockOn : EvNumLockPressed
NumLockOn --> NumLockOff : EvNumLockPressed
--
[*] --> CapsLockOff
CapsLockOff --> CapsLockOn : EvCapsLockPressed
CapsLockOn --> CapsLockOff : EvCapsLockPressed
--
[*] --> ScrollLockOff
ScrollLockOff --> ScrollLockOn : EvCapsLockPressed
ScrollLockOn --> ScrollLockOff : EvCapsLockPressed
}
state SomethingElse {
A --> B
B --> A
}
Active --> SomethingElse
note right of SomethingElse : This is the note to the right.
SomethingElse --> [*]
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
stateDiagram
[*] --> Active
state Active {
[*] --> NumLockOff
NumLockOff --> NumLockOn : EvNumLockPressed
NumLockOn --> NumLockOff : EvNumLockPressed
--
[*] --> CapsLockOff
CapsLockOff --> CapsLockOn : EvCapsLockPressed
CapsLockOn --> CapsLockOff : EvCapsLockPressed
--
[*] --> ScrollLockOff
ScrollLockOff --> ScrollLockOn : EvCapsLockPressed
ScrollLockOn --> ScrollLockOff : EvCapsLockPressed
}
state SomethingElse {
A --> B
B --> A
}
Active --> SomethingElse
note right of SomethingElse : This is the note to the right.
SomethingElse --> [*]
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
stateDiagram-v2
[*] --> Active
state Active {
[*] --> NumLockOff
NumLockOff --> NumLockOn : EvNumLockPressed
NumLockOn --> NumLockOff : EvNumLockPressed
--
[*] --> CapsLockOff
CapsLockOff --> CapsLockOn : EvCapsLockPressed
CapsLockOn --> CapsLockOff : EvCapsLockPressed
--
[*] --> ScrollLockOff
ScrollLockOff --> ScrollLockOn : EvCapsLockPressed
ScrollLockOn --> ScrollLockOff : EvCapsLockPressed
}
state SomethingElse {
A --> B
B --> A
}
Active --> SomethingElse2
note right of SomethingElse2 : This is the note to the right.
SomethingElse2 --> [*]
%%{init: {'securityLevel': 'loose', 'theme':'base'}}%%
stateDiagram-v2
[*] --> Active
state Active {
[*] --> NumLockOff
NumLockOff --> NumLockOn : EvNumLockPressed
NumLockOn --> NumLockOff : EvNumLockPressed
--
[*] --> CapsLockOff
CapsLockOff --> CapsLockOn : EvCapsLockPressed
CapsLockOn --> CapsLockOff : EvCapsLockPressed
--
[*] --> ScrollLockOff
ScrollLockOff --> ScrollLockOn : EvCapsLockPressed
ScrollLockOn --> ScrollLockOff : EvCapsLockPressed
}
state SomethingElse {
A --> B
B --> A
}
Active --> SomethingElse2
note right of SomethingElse2 : This is the note to the right.
SomethingElse2 --> [*]
erDiagram
CUSTOMER }|..|{ DELIVERY-ADDRESS : has
CUSTOMER ||--o{ ORDER : places
CUSTOMER ||--o{ INVOICE : "liable for"
DELIVERY-ADDRESS ||--o{ ORDER : receives
INVOICE ||--|{ ORDER : covers
ORDER ||--|{ ORDER-ITEM : includes
PRODUCT-CATEGORY ||--|{ PRODUCT : contains
PRODUCT ||--o{ ORDER-ITEM : "ordered in"
erDiagram
CUSTOMER }|..|{ DELIVERY-ADDRESS : has
CUSTOMER ||--o{ ORDER : places
CUSTOMER ||--o{ INVOICE : "liable for"
DELIVERY-ADDRESS ||--o{ ORDER : receives
INVOICE ||--|{ ORDER : covers
ORDER ||--|{ ORDER-ITEM : includes
PRODUCT-CATEGORY ||--|{ PRODUCT : contains
PRODUCT ||--o{ ORDER-ITEM : "ordered in"
journey
title My working day
section Go to work
Make tea: 5: Me
Go upstairs: 3: Me
Do work: 1: Me, Cat
section Go home
Go downstairs: 5: Me
Sit down: 5: Me
journey
title My working day
section Go to work
Make tea: 5: Me
Go upstairs: 3: Me
Do work: 1: Me, Cat
section Go home
Go downstairs: 5: Me
Sit down: 5: Me