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Box Shadow Generator online

Generate CSS box-shadow with live visual preview

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Creating Elevation with the Box Shadow Generator

  1. Adjust the horizontal offset, vertical offset, blur, spread, and colour sliders.
  2. Toggle inset shadow to create inner-shadow effects like pressed buttons.
  3. Add multiple shadow layers for advanced effects like layered depth.
  4. Click Copy CSS to get the ready-to-paste box-shadow declaration.

CSS Box Shadow Generator provides a precise way to add depth and polish to your UI components using standard web properties. This free online box shadow tool lets you tune every aspect of the effect - from a sharp offset to a soft ambient glow - with real-time feedback on a preview element. By stacking multiple layers, you can achieve sophisticated material design shadow results that single-layer tools can't produce.

Understanding CSS Box Shadow Parameters

The syntax for box-shadow follows a specific order: [inset] h-offset v-offset blur spread color. h-offset sets horizontal position, while v-offset handles vertical displacement. The blur radius softens the edges, and spread grows or shrinks the shadow size relative to the box. This soft shadow generator outputs rgba() values, giving you full control over opacity for a realistic inset shadow tool effect or a subtle page elevation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between blur and spread?

Blur controls how soft the edge of the shadow is - a blur of 0 gives a hard crisp shadow. Spread controls the shadow's size relative to the element - a positive spread makes the shadow larger than the box; negative makes it smaller.

How do I create a soft elevation shadow like Material Design?

Use a low-opacity dark shadow with moderate blur and minimal spread - e.g. box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.15). Stack two shadows (one tight/dark for definition, one large/light for ambient) for a realistic result.

Can I animate box-shadow with CSS?

Yes - box-shadow is animatable. However, animating it triggers paint (not just compositing), which can hurt performance on lower-end devices. Use opacity transitions with a pseudo-element shadow as a performance-friendly alternative for hover states.

Why is my shadow not showing?

Common causes: the element has overflow: hidden cutting off the shadow, the shadow colour is the same as the background, or the element has a transparent background letting the shadow show behind parent elements incorrectly. Check parent overflow settings first.

Whether you're crafting a subtle card layout or a vibrant neon css glow effect, this tool ensures your code is clean and compatible. For more styling options, check out the CSS Gradient Generator, Border Radius Generator, and the full CSS toolkit. Bookmark this free online CSS Box Shadow Generator to simplify your design-to-code workflow.

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