Box Shadow Generator
Create beautiful box shadows with multiple layers and real-time preview.
Shadow Controls
Configure shadow layers and properties
Live Preview
See your box shadow in real-time
Generated CSS
Copy and use in your projects
box-shadow: 0px 4px 12px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25);Quick Presets
Common shadow styles
About Box Shadow Generator
Our Box Shadow Generator is a comprehensive tool for creating CSS box shadows that add depth, dimension, and visual interest to your web elements. Box shadows are one of the most effective ways to create modern, layered interfaces that feel tactile and engaging. Unlike flat designs, elements with well-crafted shadows appear to float above the page, creating hierarchy and guiding user attention to important content.
The tool supports multiple shadow layers, allowing you to create complex, realistic lighting effects that mimic how objects cast shadows in the real world. Each layer can be independently controlled for position, blur, spread, color, and opacity. You can also create inset shadows for pressed button effects or inner glows. The real-time preview shows exactly how your shadows will appear across different shapes and background colors.
Whether you're designing subtle card elevations, dramatic hero elements, or interactive button states, our generator provides the precision and flexibility needed for professional results. The generated CSS is optimized for performance and works consistently across all modern browsers, ensuring your designs look great everywhere.
How to Use
Step 1: Configure Preview
Choose your preview shape (square, rounded, or circle), adjust the size, and set the background color to match your design context. This helps you visualize how shadows will look in your actual project.
Step 2: Adjust Shadow Properties
Use the sliders to adjust X and Y offset (shadow position), blur radius (softness), spread radius (shadow size), color, and opacity. Enable "Inset" for inner shadows that appear pressed into the element.
Step 3: Add Multiple Layers
Click "Add Layer" to create complex shadow effects. Combine a sharp, close shadow with a softer, distant one for realistic depth. Layer different colors for creative effects or brand-specific styling.
Step 4: Copy and Apply
Preview your shadow in real-time, then copy the CSS code to use in your projects. Save successful combinations as presets or use the quick presets for common styles.
Key Features
Multiple Shadow Layers
Create complex, realistic shadows by combining multiple layers with different properties.
Real-time Preview
See changes instantly as you adjust shadow properties with live preview updates.
Inset Shadow Support
Create inner shadows for pressed button effects, input fields, and sunken elements.
Color and Opacity Control
Full control over shadow colors with opacity adjustment for perfect blending.
Quick Presets
Start with common shadow styles or save your own custom presets for reuse.
Cross-browser CSS
Generated CSS works perfectly across all modern browsers without prefixes.
Examples
Example 1: Material Design Card
Perfect for cards and content containers
box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.1), 0 8px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);Example 2: Pressed Button
Inset shadow for active/pressed states
box-shadow: inset 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);Example 3: Floating Action Button
Dramatic shadow for floating elements
box-shadow: 0 6px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.15), 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between blur and spread?
Blur radius controls how soft or sharp the shadow edge is. Higher values create softer, more diffused shadows. Spread radius makes the shadow larger or smaller than the element itself. Positive values expand the shadow, negative values shrink it.
When should I use inset shadows?
Inset shadows are perfect for creating pressed button states, input field inner borders, sunken panels, or inner glow effects. They make elements appear recessed or carved into the page rather than elevated above it.
How many shadow layers should I use?
For most designs, 1-3 shadow layers work well. A common pattern is combining a sharp, close shadow with a softer, larger one for depth. Too many layers can impact performance and make shadows look unnatural.
Do box shadows affect page performance?
Modern CSS shadows are hardware-accelerated and generally very efficient. However, complex shadows with many layers or very large blur values can impact performance, especially on mobile devices. Test on target devices for best results.
Can I animate box shadows?
Yes! Box shadows can be smoothly animated with CSS transitions or keyframes. This is perfect for hover effects, focus states, or interactive feedback. Keep animations subtle for best user experience.
What colors work best for shadows?
Natural shadows are typically dark grays or blacks with low opacity (10-30%). However, colored shadows can create interesting effects - try using darker versions of your brand colors or complementary colors for creative designs.
How do I create realistic shadows?
Realistic shadows usually have a small Y-offset (simulating gravity), soft blur, and low opacity. Combine a sharp, close shadow with a softer, larger one. Study real objects to understand how light creates natural shadow patterns.
Can shadows work with transparent elements?
Box shadows work great with transparent or semi-transparent elements. The shadow appears behind the element, so transparency in the element itself doesn't affect the shadow visibility. This is perfect for glass-morphism designs.