How to use the Box Shadow Generator
- Enter your details in the fields above.
- See your results instantly - free, no signup.
- Copy, share or bookmark the result.
What Is the Box Shadow Generator?
CSS box shadows add depth and visual hierarchy to UI elements. The Box Shadow Generator lets you visually create custom shadows by adjusting offset, blur, spread, color, and opacity - then copy the CSS code.
Instead of guessing shadow values in code, design them visually and get pixel-perfect results.
How It Works
Adjust sliders for horizontal offset, vertical offset, blur radius, spread radius, and shadow color. See the shadow update in real-time on a preview element. Support for multiple shadows and inset shadows lets you create layered, realistic depth effects.
Copy the generated CSS and use it directly in your stylesheets.
Useful for
- Designing card and button shadows visually
- Creating consistent shadow tokens for design systems
- Experimenting with shadow styles before committing to code
- Generating CSS without memorizing box-shadow syntax
Who should use it
- Frontend developers styling UI components
- Designers who code and need precise shadow values
- Anyone building design systems with consistent shadow tokens
- Beginners learning CSS box-shadow properties
Common mistakes to avoid
- Making shadows too dark or too large, looking unrealistic
- Using different shadow styles across the same interface
- Not considering how shadows look in dark mode
When not to use it
- When your design system already has defined shadow tokens
- For print or non-web design work
Frequently asked questions
How many shadows should I layer?
One shadow is fine for most cases. Two layers (a subtle ambient shadow plus a focused drop shadow) create more realistic depth. More than three layers is rarely necessary.
Related Design Tools
- Border Radius Previewer - Preview and generate CSS border-radius values visually
- Color Palette Generator - Generate harmonious color palettes for your next project
- Contrast Checker - Make sure your text is readable against its background (WCAG)
- Font Pairing Helper - Discover font combos that look great together
- Gradient Generator - Build beautiful CSS gradients and grab the code instantly
- Image Size Cheat Sheet - Quick-reference guide for social media and web image dimensions
- Lorem Ipsum Generator - Generate placeholder text for your designs and layouts
- Spacing & Scale Calculator - Calculate consistent spacing scales for your design system