CSS Box-Shadow Generator

Visually adjust shadows and copy CSS code instantly

Intuitively adjust box-shadow horizontal offset, vertical offset, blur, spread, color, and opacity with sliders. Fine-tune shadows in real-time with preview, and easily achieve complex designs like neumorphism. Copy completed CSS code with one click.

Preview

Shadow Properties

Horizontal Offset (X) 0px

Vertical Offset (Y) 4px

Blur 12px

Spread 0px

Color Opacity

Inner Shadow (inset)

Presets

Soft

Medium

Hard

Neumorphism

How to Use

Using the CSS box-shadow generator is simple:

Step 1: Adjust shadow with sliders

Adjust horizontal offset, vertical offset, blur, and spread parameters with sliders. Changes are reflected in the preview in real-time.

Step 2: Set color and opacity

Choose shadow color with the color picker and fine-tune opacity (0.0-1.0) with numeric input. Check inset to create an inner shadow.

Step 3: Copy CSS code

Adjust while checking the preview, then copy the completed CSS code with one click.

This tool runs entirely in your browser. All processing happens on your device. No data is sent externally.

Use Cases

The CSS box-shadow generator can be used in the following scenarios:

1. Creating depth for card-style UI

Add soft shadows to blog post cards or product cards to create a sense of depth that appears to float off the screen. Guides user attention and improves click-through rates.

2. Button hover effects

Strengthen shadows when hovering over buttons to visually communicate that the element is clickable. Directly improves usability.

3. Separating modal windows from background

Apply dark shadows to modal windows to clearly separate them from background content. Focuses user attention on specific actions.

4. Neumorphism design

Achieve neumorphism (New Skeuomorphism) design by combining multiple shadows. Build sophisticated interfaces incorporating the latest UI trends.

5. Focus indication for form inputs

Apply inner shadows (inset) to input elements on focus to visually emphasize the currently active field. Improves form usability.

6. Fixed header navigation bar

Add shadows to headers that remain fixed during scrolling to clarify the boundary between content and header. Achieves both readability and design quality.

What is CSS box-shadow

box-shadow is a CSS property that adds shadows to HTML elements. It's an essential web design technique that can express depth and dimensionality using only CSS code without images.

box-shadow parameters

box-shadow is specified in the order 'horizontal-offset vertical-offset blur spread color'. Horizontal and vertical offsets determine shadow position, blur controls edge softness, spread controls shadow size, and color can be specified with RGBA including transparency.

inset (inner shadow)

Adding the inset keyword draws the shadow inside the element rather than outside. Suitable for expressing indented form inputs or pressed button states.

Layering multiple shadows

Multiple box-shadows can be specified with comma separation to layer shadows. Neumorphism design combines light and dark shadows to express three-dimensional texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CSS box-shadow generator free?

Yes, it's completely free to use. No registration required, and it runs in your browser, so you can start using it immediately.

What's the difference between blur and spread?

Blur determines how soft the shadow edge is, while spread determines how much to enlarge or reduce the shadow size. With blur 0 and spread 10, you get a sharp, large shadow.

What is neumorphism?

Neumorphism is a design technique that combines light and dark shadows to make elements appear to protrude or indent from the screen. It creates a modern, sophisticated impression.

When should I use inset (inner shadow)?

Use it when expressing indented elements like input fields or pressed button states. Combining with regular (outer) shadows enables more three-dimensional expression.

What is box-shadow's performance impact?

box-shadow is a relatively lightweight CSS property, but shadows with large blur or multiple layered shadows can increase rendering load. Extra care is needed for smartphones.

Is it supported by all browsers?

box-shadow is supported by all major browsers including IE9+, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Older browsers may require vendor prefixes (-webkit-box-shadow).

Should shadow color be RGB or RGBA?

RGBA is recommended as it allows opacity adjustment. Generally, shadow opacity of 0.1-0.3 creates natural shadows that blend well with backgrounds.

Can I use the generated CSS code as-is?

Yes, the generated code can be used immediately by copying and pasting it into your CSS file. It's written as a box-shadow property and ready to apply.