diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f236b85..b99f19c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ Refer to [https://st.suckless.org/](https://st.suckless.org/) for details on the
 
 ### Changelog:
 
+2021-02-15 - Added the alpha gradient patch
+
 2020-11-14 - Added the wide glyphs patch
 
 2020-10-23 - Added the monochrome patch
@@ -99,6 +101,10 @@ Refer to [https://st.suckless.org/](https://st.suckless.org/) for details on the
    - [~force-redraw-after-keypress~](https://lists.suckless.org/hackers/2004/17221.html)
       - ~this patch forces the terminal to check for new data on the tty on keypress with the aim of reducing input latency~
 
+   - [gradient](https://st.suckless.org/patches/gradient/)
+      - adds gradient transparency to st
+      - depends on the alpha patch
+
    - [hidecursor](https://st.suckless.org/patches/hidecursor/)
       - hides the X cursor whenever a key is pressed and show it back when the mouse is moved in the terminal window
 
diff --git a/config.def.h b/config.def.h
index 62a1217..91d0d2d 100644
--- a/config.def.h
+++ b/config.def.h
@@ -124,6 +124,10 @@ unsigned int tabspaces = 8;
 #if ALPHA_PATCH
 /* bg opacity */
 float alpha = 0.8;
+#if ALPHA_GRADIENT_PATCH
+float grad_alpha = 0.54; //alpha value that'll change
+float stat_alpha = 0.46; //constant alpha value that'll get added to grad_alpha
+#endif // ALPHA_GRADIENT_PATCH
 #endif // ALPHA_PATCH
 
 /* Terminal colors (16 first used in escape sequence) */
diff --git a/config.mk b/config.mk
index e46ac6a..f49fc6b 100644
--- a/config.mk
+++ b/config.mk
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ X11LIB = /usr/X11R6/lib
 PKG_CONFIG = pkg-config
 
 # Uncomment this for the alpha patch / ALPHA_PATCH
-#XRENDER = -lXrender
+XRENDER = -lXrender
 
 # Uncomment this for the themed cursor patch / THEMED_CURSOR_PATCH
 #XCURSOR = -lXcursor
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ STLDFLAGS = $(LIBS) $(LDFLAGS)
 # OpenBSD:
 #CPPFLAGS = -DVERSION=\"$(VERSION)\" -D_XOPEN_SOURCE=600 -D_BSD_SOURCE
 #LIBS = -L$(X11LIB) -lm -lX11 -lutil -lXft \
-#       `$(PKG_CONFIG) --libs fontconfig` \
-#       `$(PKG_CONFIG) --libs freetype2`
+#       `pkg-config --libs fontconfig` \
+#       `pkg-config --libs freetype2`
 
 # compiler and linker
 # CC = c99
diff --git a/x.c b/x.c
index cb82826..e5b17a6 100644
--- a/x.c
+++ b/x.c
@@ -1729,6 +1729,13 @@ xdrawglyphfontspecs(const XftGlyphFontSpec *specs, Glyph base, int len, int x, i
 	}
 	#endif // INVERT_PATCH
 
+	#if ALPHA_PATCH && ALPHA_GRADIENT_PATCH
+	// gradient
+	bg->color.alpha = grad_alpha * 0xffff * (win.h - y*win.ch) / win.h + stat_alpha * 0xffff;
+	// uncomment to invert the gradient
+	// bg->color.alpha = grad_alpha * 0xffff * (y*win.ch) / win.h + stat_alpha * 0xffff;
+	#endif // ALPHA_PATCH | ALPHA_GRADIENT_PATCH
+
 	#if WIDE_GLYPHS_PATCH
 	if (dmode & DRAW_BG) {
 	#endif // WIDE_GLYPHS_PATCH