This paper presents a fuzzy topology-based method to facilitate the use of larger gradient kernels. The new method effectively limits the response area around the edge and prevents neighboring objects to affect each other. Synthetic images are used to show the superior noise suppression properties and response characteristics to both step and ramp edges. Natural images are also used to assess the performance of the newly proposed topological gradient estimation qualitatively. One of the fastest methods of localizing edges in images is based on small gradient kernels, such as Sobel, Prewitt, and Roberts. Although small gradient kernels provide a fast way