Unsupported input
The tool may reject input that does not match the expected content, structure, or file type.
Fix: Confirm the tool input requirements and paste the correct type of data.
CSS Box Shadow Generator
Generate CSS box-shadow code visually
CSS Box Shadow Builder
Visual BuilderTune offsets, blur, spread, and opacity with a live component preview.
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What is CSS Box Shadow Generator
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CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) controls how HTML documents look, handling layout, colors, typography, and responsive behavior on every modern website.
CSS Box Shadow Generator builds the `box-shadow` property visually, with sliders for X/Y offset, blur radius, spread, color, and inset toggle. Multiple shadows can be layered for realistic depth effects.
The output is standards-track CSS supported in every evergreen browser, including layered shadows and the modern space-separated color syntax.
Why use it
- Design elevation-style shadows (Material Design, Tailwind's shadow-md/lg/xl) by tuning the four parameters visually instead of guessing values.
- Build multi-layer realistic shadows where a tight inner shadow sits beneath a wider ambient shadow.
- Generate inset shadows for inputs, buttons, and card interiors with predictable results across browsers.
Features
- Separate sliders for X offset, Y offset, blur radius, and spread radius with pixel-precise control
- Color picker supports hex, rgb(), hsl(), and alpha for semi-transparent shadows
- Inset toggle for shadows that render inside the box (useful for form inputs and pressed-button states)
- Multi-layer mode: stack up to five shadows to build Material-style elevation or custom depth
- Preview on a sample card plus copy-to-clipboard of the final CSS string
How to use CSS Box Shadow Generator
- Position the shadow. Drag the X and Y offset sliders to push the shadow in any direction. Negative values move left or up.
- Tune blur and spread. Blur softens the shadow edge; spread enlarges or shrinks it uniformly. Start with blur 8–16 and spread 0 for a realistic drop shadow.
- Pick the color. Shadows usually work best with 10–30% alpha. The color picker supports any valid CSS color, with an alpha slider for transparency.
- Layer multiple shadows (optional). Click 'Add shadow' to stack another layer. The output comma-separates the shadows in the same order as the UI.
- Copy the CSS. Click 'Copy CSS'. The tool emits the `box-shadow:` declaration ready to paste into a stylesheet.
Example (before/after)
Input values
Choose the settings or values required to create cSS Box Shadow from the tool.
Generated result
Get generated cSS Box Shadow output that is ready to copy into your project or workflow.
Common errors
Incomplete values
Missing fields or partial content can block processing or produce weak results.
Fix: Provide the full required input before running the tool.
Copying placeholder content
Sample or placeholder values can lead to output that looks valid but is not ready for real use.
Fix: Replace placeholders with your actual values before relying on the result.
FAQ
How do I layer multiple box-shadows for Material-style elevation?
Click 'Add shadow' to stack additional layers. Material Design typically combines a tight key shadow (2px blur) with a softer ambient shadow (8–16px blur) at lower opacity. The generator handles the comma-separated syntax automatically.
What's the difference between blur and spread radius?
Blur softens the edge — a larger blur means a more diffuse shadow. Spread enlarges or shrinks the shadow uniformly before the blur is applied, so spread: 4 makes the shadow 4px larger in every direction. Most drop shadows use blur without spread; hard-edged shadows use spread without blur.
When should I use an inset box-shadow?
Inset shadows render inside the element rather than outside. Use them for pressed-button states, form input inner glows, or 'inset card' depth effects. The toggle in the UI switches the output between the two styles.
Does the generator emit vendor prefixes?
No. `box-shadow` has been unprefixed in every major browser since 2012, so adding -webkit- or -moz- prefixes would just bloat the stylesheet. The output is plain CSS ready for production.
Can I use shadow colors with alpha for realism?
Yes — that's usually the key to a realistic shadow. 100% black (#000) shadows look cartoonish; 10–30% alpha (rgba(0,0,0,0.15)) mimics ambient light much better. The color picker has a dedicated alpha slider.
How does the generator handle GPU acceleration?
`box-shadow` itself isn't GPU-accelerated — it re-paints on every frame it animates. If you're animating shadows, the CSS output includes a commented suggestion to use `transform: translateZ(0)` and switch to a `filter: drop-shadow()` alternative for better performance.
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