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Box Shadow Generator

Create Stunning CSS Box Shadows with Multiple Layers

A powerful tool for creating beautiful CSS box shadows with support for multiple shadow layers, preset styles, and real-time preview. Perfect for enhancing your UI with professional-looking shadows.

Multi-LayerReal-Time PreviewPresets Library

Table of Contents

1. Getting Started2. Live Preview Panel3. Shadow Layers4. Layer Properties5. Presets Library6. Export Options7. Import Configuration8. CSS Output9. Common Use Cases

Getting Started

The Box Shadow Generator allows you to create professional CSS box shadows with multiple layers. Whether you need a subtle drop shadow or a complex multi-layered effect, this tool makes it easy to visualize and export your shadow styles.

Quick Start Steps:

  1. Use the Live Preview panel to see your shadow in real-time
  2. Add or modify shadow layers using the Layers tab
  3. Adjust layer properties like offset, blur, spread, color, and opacity
  4. Apply preset styles from the Presets tab
  5. Export your shadow as CSS or save the configuration for later

Tip: You can create complex, realistic shadows by stacking multiple layers with different offsets, blur radii, and opacity levels.

Live Preview Panel

The Live Preview panel shows a real-time preview of your box shadow effect. You can customize the preview area to better visualize how your shadow will look in different contexts.

Background Color

Customize the preview background color to see how your shadow looks on different backgrounds. Use the color picker or enter a hex value.

Shape Options

Choose from three shape options: square, rounded (12px border radius), or circle (50% border radius) to preview your shadow on different element shapes.

Size Control

Adjust the preview element size from 100px to 300px using the size slider to test your shadow at different scales.

Preview Controls:

  • Background Color: Click the color swatch or type a hex code
  • Shape: Click the square, rounded, or circle button
  • Size: Drag the slider to adjust the element size

Shadow Layers

The Layers feature allows you to create complex shadows by stacking multiple shadow layers. Each layer can have its own properties, enabling you to create realistic, multi-dimensional shadow effects.

Layer Management:

  • Add Layer: Click the "Add Layer" button to create a new shadow layer
  • Select Layer: Click on a layer in the list to edit its properties
  • Duplicate Layer: Click the copy icon to duplicate the selected layer
  • Toggle Visibility: Click the eye icon to show/hide individual layers
  • Remove Layer: Click the trash icon to remove a layer (minimum 1 layer required)
  • Reset: Click "Reset" to return to the default single layer

Note: At least one shadow layer is always required. The tool will not allow you to delete the last remaining layer.

Single Layer

Simple shadows with one layer are perfect for subtle effects like buttons, cards, or minimal UI elements.

Multiple Layers

Multiple layers create depth by combining shadows with different offsets and blur values, mimicking real-world lighting.

Layer Properties

Each shadow layer has customizable properties that control the shadow's appearance. Understanding these properties helps you create precise shadow effects.

X Offset

Controls the horizontal position of the shadow. Positive values move the shadow right, negative values move it left. Range: -50px to 50px.

Y Offset

Controls the vertical position of the shadow. Positive values move the shadow down, negative values move it up. Range: -50px to 50px.

Blur Radius

Controls how blurred the shadow is. Higher values create more diffuse shadows. 0px creates a sharp, solid shadow. Range: 0px to 100px.

Spread Radius

Controls how much the shadow expands beyond the element. Positive values make the shadow larger, negative values make it smaller. Range: -50px to 50px.

Opacity

Controls the transparency of the shadow. Lower values create more subtle shadows. Range: 0% to 100%.

Color

Sets the shadow color. Use the color picker or enter a hex color code. Combined with opacity for subtle shading effects.

Inset Shadow:

The "Inset Shadow" toggle creates a shadow inside the element boundaries rather than outside. This is useful for creating pressed or recessed effects.

  • Outset Shadow (default): Creates depth by casting shadow outside the element
  • Inset Shadow: Creates the illusion of depth inside the element, like a pressed button

Presets Library

The Presets library provides pre-made shadow configurations that you can apply instantly. These presets are carefully crafted to work well in various design contexts.

How to Use Presets:

  1. Switch to the "Presets" tab
  2. Browse the available preset cards
  3. Each card shows a mini preview of the shadow effect
  4. Click on any preset to apply it
  5. The tool will show a notification confirming the preset applied

Tip: Presets are great starting points. After applying a preset, you can fine-tune any layer to match your exact needs.

Common Preset Types:

The library includes various preset types from subtle to dramatic, flat to neumorphic, and everything in between.

Layer Count:

Each preset shows the number of layers it uses. Simple shadows use 1-2 layers, while complex effects may use 3 or more.

Mini Preview:

Every preset card includes a small preview square showing the exact shadow effect, helping you quickly find the right style.

Export Options

The Export tab provides multiple ways to use your shadow configuration. Copy the CSS directly or save the full configuration for later editing.

Copy CSS

Copies the generated CSS box-shadow property to your clipboard. The output is a single line ready to paste in your stylesheet.

Export Config

Downloads the complete shadow configuration as a JSON file. This includes all layer settings for later import and editing.

Complete CSS Rule

Shows the complete CSS rule including the selector wrapper, useful for copying multiple lines of code at once.

Example CSS Output:

.my-element {
  box-shadow: 0px 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25);
}

Import Configuration

You can import previously exported shadow configurations to continue editing. This is useful for saving and revisiting shadow projects or sharing configurations with team members.

How to Import:

  1. Switch to the "Export" tab
  2. Click on the file input or drag a JSON file onto it
  3. Select a previously exported configuration file (.json)
  4. The tool will load all layers and settings from the file
  5. A notification will confirm the successful import

Note: Only configuration files exported from this tool are supported. Invalid or corrupted files will show an error message.

CSS Output

The generated CSS uses the standard box-shadow property with support for multiple comma-separated shadows. The output is optimized and ready for production use.

CSS Syntax:

box-shadow: [inset] offset-x offset-y blur-radius spread-radius color;

Example with Multiple Layers:

box-shadow: 
  0px 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25),
  0px 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1),
  inset 0px 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);

Color Format

Colors are output as hex values with alpha channel appended (hex notation), ensuring compatibility with all modern browsers.

Browser Support

The generated CSS works in all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera.

Common Use Cases

UI Components

Create depth and hierarchy in buttons, cards, modals, and other UI components using carefully crafted shadows.

Cards and Containers

Add subtle shadows to content cards, containers, and sections to lift them off the background.

Pressed States

Use inset shadows to create realistic pressed or active states for interactive elements like buttons.

Neumorphism

Create soft, extruded UI elements using multiple inset and outset shadows with matching colors.

Elevated Elements

Add depth to floating elements like tooltips, dropdowns, and floating action buttons with elevated shadows.

Hover Effects

Design interactive hover states by creating shadows that intensify or change when elements are hovered.

Related Tools

Gradient Generator

Create beautiful CSS gradients with real-time preview

Neumorphism Generator

Create soft UI effects with combined shadows

CSS Animations Generator

Create CSS animations with keyframes and easing

Clip Path Generator

Create complex shapes with CSS clip-path

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