Free CSS Box Shadow Generator
Box shadows add depth, hierarchy, and polish to modern web interfaces. But writing box-shadow CSS by hand — juggling horizontal offset, vertical offset, blur radius, spread radius, color, and inset — is tedious and imprecise. Our free CSS box shadow generator lets you design shadows visually and copy production-ready CSS.
Adjust sliders for offset, blur, spread, and color while watching a live preview update in real time. Stack multiple shadow layers for realistic depth effects used in Material Design and modern UI kits.
How to Use the CSS Box Shadow Generator
Use the controls to adjust horizontal offset, vertical offset, blur radius, spread radius, shadow color, and opacity. The preview box updates instantly. Toggle inset for inner shadows. Add multiple shadow layers for complex depth effects. When satisfied, copy the generated box-shadow CSS property and paste it into your stylesheet or component.
Why CSS Box Shadow Generator Matters
Subtle shadows separate flat designs from polished, professional interfaces. Cards, modals, dropdowns, and buttons all rely on box-shadow for visual hierarchy. Designers who prototype shadows visually ship faster than those guessing rgba values. Developers get exact CSS without back-and-forth with design tools.
Who Uses a CSS Box Shadow Generator?
- Web designers prototype elevation and depth for card-based layouts.
- Frontend developers copy exact shadow values into CSS, Tailwind arbitrary values, or styled-components.
- UI/UX designers build consistent shadow scales for design systems.
- Students learn how each box-shadow parameter affects the visual output.
- No-code builders generate custom CSS for Webflow, Framer, or custom HTML embeds.
Key Features
- Visual controls for all box-shadow parameters
- Live preview on a sample element
- Multiple shadow layer support
- Inset (inner) shadow toggle
- One-click copy of generated CSS
Tips for Getting the Most From This Tool
Use softer, larger blurs with low opacity for realistic depth — harsh dark shadows look dated. Material Design elevation levels map to specific shadow combinations; start with their scale as a reference. For dark mode UIs, use lighter shadows with low opacity or border highlights instead of dark box-shadows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does each box-shadow value mean?
The syntax is offset-x offset-y blur-radius spread-radius color. Inset makes the shadow inner. Multiple shadows are comma-separated.
Can I create multiple shadows?
Yes. Layer multiple shadows with comma separation for realistic depth — a tight dark shadow plus a soft wide shadow mimics natural light.
Does this work with Tailwind CSS?
Copy the generated CSS and use it as an arbitrary value: shadow-[0_4px_12px_rgba(0,0,0,0.15)] or add it to your Tailwind config.
What is the spread radius?
Spread expands or contracts the shadow before blurring. Positive spread makes the shadow larger; negative spread shrinks it.