CSS Box Shadow Generator
Create stunning drop shadows and elevation effects with real-time preview and professional presets
Controls
Adjust the settings to customize your CSS
Shadow Layers
Active Shadow Controls
Edit the selected shadow layer
Live Preview
See your changes in real-time
Presets
Choose from pre-designed effects or start with a template
Generated Code
Copy the CSS or Tailwind classes to use in your project
box-shadow: 0px 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);What is CSS Box Shadow?
The CSS box-shadow property adds shadow effects
around an element's frame. Unlike text shadows, box shadows create depth for entire containers, cards, buttons, and other UI elements.
Essential for modern UI design, creating visual hierarchy, depth perception, and professional-looking interfaces that follow design systems like Material Design.
CSS Box Shadow Syntax
box-shadow: [inset] offset-x offset-y blur-radius spread-radius color;
/* Example */
box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
Required Parameters
Horizontal distance
Vertical distance
Optional Parameters
Shadow blur effect
Shadow size adjustment
Special Parameters
Shadow color
Inner shadow effect
Popular Use Cases
Card Elevation
Create depth for content cards and panels in modern interfaces
Button States
Different shadows for normal, hover, and active button interactions
Modal Overlays
Strong shadows to separate dialogs and modals from background
Focus Indicators
Colored shadows to indicate focused form elements and accessibility
Advanced Techniques
1 Multiple Box Shadows
Combine multiple shadows for realistic lighting effects:
box-shadow:
0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.12), /* Ambient shadow */
0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.24); /* Direct shadow */ 2 Neumorphism Effect
Soft UI design with dual light and dark shadows:
box-shadow:
8px 8px 16px #bebebe, /* Dark shadow */
-8px -8px 16px #ffffff; /* Light shadow */ Best Practices
Do This
- Use subtle shadows for depth without distraction
- Follow Material Design elevation principles
- Test shadows in high contrast mode
- Use transitions for smooth hover effects
Avoid This
- Animating box-shadow frequently for performance
- Using too many multiple shadows
- Relying solely on shadows for information
- Creating shadows that reduce accessibility
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Frequently Asked Questions
? What's the difference between blur and spread?
Blur creates the softness of the shadow edge, while spread makes the shadow larger or smaller than the original element. Positive spread expands the shadow, negative values shrink it.
? Can I use negative values for box shadows?
Yes! Negative offset values move shadows in opposite directions, and negative spread values make shadows smaller than the element. This is useful for creating unique lighting effects.
? How do I create realistic box shadows?
Use multiple shadows with different blur and opacity values to simulate real-world lighting. Combine ambient (soft, large) and direct (sharp, small) shadows for the most realistic effects.
? Do box shadows affect page layout?
No, box shadows don't affect the document flow or element positioning. They're purely visual effects that don't take up space in the layout, making them perfect for hover states.