We show that if the beta functions of a field theory are given by the gradient of a certain potential on the space of couplings, a gravitational background in one more dimension can express the renormalization group (RG) flow of the theory. The field theory beta functions and the gradient flow constraint together reconstruct the second-order spacetime equations of motion. The RG equation reduces to the conventional gravitational computation of the spacetime quasilocal stress tensor, and a c-theorem holds true as a consequence of the Raychaudhuri equation. Conversely, under certain conditions, if the RG evolution of a field theory possesses a monotonic c-function, the flow of couplings can be expressed in terms of a higher-dimensional gravitational background.