in
The in attribute identifies input for the given filter primitive.
The value can be either one of the six keywords defined below, or a string which matches a previous result attribute value within the same <filter> element. If no value is provided and this is the first filter primitive, then this filter primitive will use SourceGraphic as its input. If no value is provided and this is a subsequent filter primitive, then this filter primitive will use the result from the previous filter primitive as its input.
If the value for result appears multiple times within a given <filter> element, then a reference to that result will use the closest preceding filter primitive with the given value for attribute result.
You can use this attribute with the following SVG elements:
Usage notes
| Value | SourceGraphic|SourceAlpha|BackgroundImage|BackgroundAlpha|FillPaint|StrokePaint|<filter-primitive-reference> | 
|---|---|
| Default value | SourceGraphicfor first filter primitive, otherwise result
        of previous filter primitive | 
| Animatable | Yes | 
- SourceGraphic
- 
This keyword represents the graphics elements that were the original input into the <filter>element.
- SourceAlpha
- 
This keyword represents the graphics elements that were the original input into the <filter>element.SourceAlphahas all of the same rules asSourceGraphicexcept that only the alpha channel is used.
- BackgroundImage
- 
This keyword represents an image snapshot of the SVG document under the filter region at the time that the <filter>element was invoked.
- BackgroundAlpha
- 
Same as BackgroundImageexcept only the alpha channel is used.
- FillPaint
- 
This keyword represents the value of the fillproperty on the target element for the filter effect. In many cases, theFillPaintis opaque everywhere, but that might not be the case if a shape is painted with a gradient or pattern which itself includes transparent or semi-transparent parts.
- StrokePaint
- 
This keyword represents the value of the strokeproperty on the target element for the filter effect. In many cases, theStrokePaintis opaque everywhere, but that might not be the case if a shape is painted with a gradient or pattern which itself includes transparent or semi-transparent parts.
- <filter-primitive-reference>
- 
This value is an assigned name for the filter primitive in the form of a <custom-ident>. If supplied, then graphics that result from processing this filter primitive can be referenced by an in attribute on a subsequent filter primitive within the same filter element. If no value is provided, the output will only be available for re-use as the implicit input into the next filter primitive if that filter primitive provides no value for its in attribute.
Workaround for BackgroundImage
BackgroundImage is not supported as a filter source in modern browsers (see the feComposite compatibility table). We therefore need to import one of the images to blend inside the filter itself, using an <feImage> element.
Note:
Firefox Bug 455986 means that feImage cannot load partial images, including circles, rectangles, paths or other fragments defined in the document. So that this example works on more browsers, a full external image of the logo is loaded.
HTML
<svg
  xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">
  <defs>
    <filter id="backgroundMultiply">
      <!-- This will not work. -->
      <feBlend in="BackgroundImage" in2="SourceGraphic" mode="multiply" />
    </filter>
  </defs>
  <image
    href="mdn_logo_only_color.png"
    x="10%"
    y="10%"
    width="80%"
    height="80%" />
  <circle
    cx="50%"
    cy="40%"
    r="40%"
    fill="#cc0000"
    filter="url(#backgroundMultiply)" />
</svg>
<svg
  xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">
  <defs>
    <filter id="imageMultiply">
      <!-- This is a workaround. -->
      <feImage
        href="mdn_logo_only_color.png"
        x="10%"
        y="10%"
        width="80%"
        height="80%" />
      <feBlend in2="SourceGraphic" mode="multiply" />
    </filter>
  </defs>
  <circle
    cx="50%"
    cy="40%"
    r="40%"
    fill="#cc0000"
    filter="url(#imageMultiply)" />
</svg>
Result
Specifications
| Specification | 
|---|
| Filter Effects Module Level 1> # element-attrdef-filter-primitive-in> |