Free CSS Box Shadow Generator
Generate copyable CSS for a shadow style.
Create and verify a shadow style
Workflow Notes
Best for
- Creating consistent shadow tokens for card surfaces, menus, sheets, and modal layers across a design system.
- Producing focus, inset, or pressed-state effects for form controls, dialogs, and panel containers during visual refinement.
- Preparing a small set of reusable shadows before writing component classes so teams can avoid ad hoc one-off depth values.
- Running quick visual experiments during implementation reviews when you need immediate browser feedback before touching source code.
Check before using it
- Confirm each target component type and interaction state, including whether it is static, hover, active, focused, or disabled.
- Decide the intended depth cue: elevation, inset boundary, or subtle ambient separation, and keep that decision in mind while moving sliders.
- Review the backdrop color and contrast in the destination context so the same RGBA values are not copied blindly from the default preview background.
- Choose the smallest preset that approximates your target, because large jumps from scratch often hide spacing and contrast issues.
Review the output
- Verify every numeric token in the generated line, including offset-x, offset-y, blur, spread, inset keyword, and alpha before handoff.
- Compare the copied output against a real page area, not just the demo box, and confirm it still reads correctly on nearby text, borders, and cards.
- Test at multiple viewport sizes and interaction states to ensure the shadow does not look heavy on mobile or clipped at edge conditions.
- Check accessibility context: strong contrast shadows can reduce readability, so confirm labels and content remain legible when the element is over image, gradient, or patterned.
Limits to keep in mind
- This generator does not create a full visual design system; it only outputs one valid box-shadow declaration at a time, so larger systems still need naming, tokens, and.
- The preview box is a single sample surface, so it cannot represent every brand background, border radius, or component complexity you will hit in production.
- Extreme values can create jitter, banding, or clipping in some browser-device combinations, so final tuning in the real layout is still required.
- Multiple layered shadows must be authored manually by concatenating values in this tool output flow, since this page generates one line of box-shadow syntax.
Handoff
- Move to Glassmorphism Generator when you need a layered translucent surface effect after baseline card shadows are tuned.
- Use CSS Gradient Generator when background luminance and gradient contrast need to be harmonized with the finalized shadow depth.
- Use Design Token Converter to standardize final shadow values into your token format before publishing to component libraries.
- Consult the Box Shadow guide to document elevation rules, naming conventions, and approved shadow presets for team use.
How to Use
- Set a base direction with horizontal and vertical offsets first, then tune blur and spread to match the visual depth of the target component.
- Choose shadow color and opacity together so the final tone fits the target surface and does not over-darken text or borders in adjacent UI states.
- Use inset mode only when you need inner shadows for pressed, inset, or field-depth effects, and keep outer mode for elevation and lifted cards.
- Load one of the built-in presets to start from a practical baseline, then make small iterative moves and watch the sample box update in real time.
- When the preview looks right, click Copy CSS and paste into your stylesheet or design token file, then run the quick checks from below.
FAQ
Is CSS Box Shadow Generator free?
Yes. It runs in the browser and does not require an account.
What does it do?
Fine tune shadow offsets, blur, spread, color, opacity, and inset style, then copy ready-to-use CSS in your browser.
What should I use next?
Usually Glassmorphism Generator is the next step when you want to generate a copy-ready glassmorphism style block and tune it for readability before exporting to your UI codebase.
Is this tool free and usable without an account?
Yes. It is a free browser tool with no account requirement and no upload workflow. You adjust controls in-page and copy the CSS.
What exactly does the copy button include?
It copies only the generated line, for example box-shadow: ; with values from the current sliders, color picker, and inset state.
Can I use this output with tokens like var() variables?
You can replace the rgba channels and numeric values manually after copy. The generator outputs concrete numbers and color values.
How do I make shadows feel consistent across components?
Pick a small set of approved tokens for elevation tiers, such as subtle, medium, and strong, and reuse those numeric bases with minor local adjustments.
What should I verify before treating this as final?
Check token validity, contrast, clipping, and behavior in final component states. If the final layout differs from the demo, regenerate from that context.
Related Tools
Related Guides
Continue the Workflow
When this step is finished, move to the tool that handles the next production risk.
Privacy
This tool runs in your browser, and inputs stay on your device until you choose to copy or download the result.
Update Log
- 2026-06-10: Added workflow notes, output checks, limits, and handoff guidance.