Box Shadow Generator
Instantly generate beautiful, layered CSS shadows and copy the code with one click.
Shadow Layers
/* Generated Code */Popular Shadow Library
Click any colored box to copy its CSS immediately.
About Our Box Shadow CSS Generator
CSS Box Shadow Generator is a powerful visual tool that lets you create, layer, and preview standard and advanced shadow effects instantly. Whether you need a subtle drop shadow for a card or a complex neon glow for a button, this tool generates the exact CSS code you need.
What is the CSS Box Shadow Property?
The box-shadow property in CSS allows designers to add shadow effects around an element's frame. It is one of the most essential tools in modern web design for creating depth, elevation, and texture.
A standard box-shadow rule consists of five main values:
- Horizontal Offset (X): Moves the shadow left or right.
- Vertical Offset (Y): Moves the shadow up or down.
- Blur Radius: Determines how sharp or soft the shadow edge is.
- Spread Radius: Expands or shrinks the size of the shadow.
- Color (RGBA): Defines the shadow's color and transparency (opacity).
How to Use Box Shadow Tool
Designing shadows by hand can be tedious. Here is how to create the perfect shadow in seconds:
- Adjust Offsets: Use the Horizontal and Vertical sliders to position your shadow (e.g., a light source coming from the top-left).
- Soften the Edges: Increase the Blur Radius to make the shadow look more realistic and "lifted."
- Layering: Click "+ Add Layer" to stack multiple shadows. This is the secret to creating ultra-smooth, "Beautiful CSS Shadows" seen on sites like Stripe or Apple.
- Copy Code: Once you are happy with the preview, click the Copy button to get the cross-browser compatible CSS code.
Popular Shadow Styles
Our tool comes with instant presets. Here is when to use them:
1. Soft UI (Elevation)
Common in Material Design, this uses a large blur radius and low opacity (e.g., 10-15%) to simulate a card floating above a white background. It adds elegance without clutter.
2. Neumorphism (Soft Plastic)
A trend where elements appear to be extruded from the background itself. It requires two shadow layers: a dark shadow on the bottom-right and a white highlight on the top-left.
3. Neon Glow
By setting the horizontal and vertical offsets to 0 and using a bright, vibrant color with a high blur, you can create a glowing neon effect perfect for dark-mode websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create a CSS box shadow?
You can create a shadow using the CSS property 'box-shadow: x-offset y-offset blur spread color'. For example: 'box-shadow: 0px 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.1)'. Use our generator to visualize this instantly.
What is the difference between drop-shadow and box-shadow?
box-shadow creates a rectangular shadow around the element's box model. filter: drop-shadow() creates a shadow that conforms to the shape of the
How do I create an inner shadow?
Simply toggle the "Inset" switch in our tool. In CSS, adding the keyword inset to the start of the value pushes the shadow inside the element, creating a "pressed" or "cut-out" look.
Can I use multiple shadows on one element?
Yes! This is highly recommended for realistic depth. You can list multiple shadow definitions separated by a comma. Our generator handles the syntax for you automatically when you click "Add Layer".
Do I need webkit prefixes?
Modern browsers fully support the standard `box-shadow` property. However, our tool includes `-webkit-box-shadow` and `-moz-box-shadow` to ensure your design looks perfect on older versions of Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.
What is an inset shadow?
An inset shadow appears inside the element, making it look pressed or hollowed out. You create it by adding the 'inset' keyword to the property value.
How do I make a smooth shadow?
To achieve a smooth, high-quality shadow, layer multiple shadows with different blur radii and opacities. For example, use one tight, dark shadow for definition and a second larger, lighter shadow for ambiance.
What is Neumorphism in CSS?
Neumorphism is a design style that uses two shadow layers (one light, one dark) to make elements appear as if they are extruded from the background. It works best on off-white or dark grey backgrounds.