Box Shadow Generator with Live Preview
This box shadow generator lets you design any CSS box-shadow visually, without memorizing the syntax. Drag sliders for offset, blur, spread, and opacity, and watch a live preview update instantly while the generated code stays ready to copy.
It is built for front-end developers and designers who want a polished shadow fast. Stack up to 10 independent shadow layers for realistic depth, start from 9 built-in presets like Elevated, Neumorph, or Material, then fine-tune the color, opacity, and inset of each layer until it looks right.
How to Use the Box Shadow Generator
Adjust the shadow controls
Set Offset X and Offset Y to move the shadow horizontally and vertically, then use Blur for edge softness and Spread to grow or shrink it. Drag the slider or type an exact value in the number field beside it.
Set color, opacity, and inset
Pick a shadow Color and slide its opacity from 0 to 100%. Flip the Inset toggle to turn an outer shadow into an inner one for pressed or recessed effects.
Stack layers or apply a preset
Use Add layer to stack up to 10 shadows, select any layer to edit it, and toggle the eye icon to hide one while you compare. Or click a preset such as Soft or Material to load a ready-made stack and tweak from there.
Preview, then copy the CSS
Change the Background and Element colors and switch the shape between Rounded, Square, and Circle to test on a real surface. When it looks right, click Copy to put the full box-shadow rule on your clipboard.
Features
Visual Sliders
Offset X, Offset Y, Blur, and Spread each have a slider paired with a number input, so you can drag for speed or type for precision.
Color & Opacity
Pick any shadow color and set its opacity from 0 to 100% for subtle, natural-looking shadows instead of harsh black.
Inset Toggle
Switch any layer between an outer shadow and an inner shadow to create pressed, recessed, or input-field effects.
Up to 10 Layers
Stack multiple shadows with independent settings, then add, remove, or hide each layer to build realistic, multi-step depth.
9 Built-In Presets
Start from Subtle, Elevated, Strong, Soft, Neon, Inset, Neumorph, Material, or Float, then customize to fit your design.
Customizable Preview
Change the background and element colors to test your shadow on the surface where it will actually appear.
Preview Shapes
Switch the preview element between Rounded, Square, and Circle to match the real UI component you are styling.
Real-Time Live Preview
The preview and the generated CSS update the instant you change any value, so there is no guesswork.
One-Click Copy
The complete box-shadow rule, including every layer, copies to your clipboard with a single click.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CSS box-shadow property?
box-shadow adds a shadow around an element. Its values, in order, are horizontal offset, vertical offset, blur radius, spread radius, and color, with an optional inset keyword. This generator builds that exact string for you from the sliders.
What do the offset, blur, and spread values mean?
Offset X moves the shadow left or right, Offset Y moves it up or down, Blur controls how soft the edge is (0 is a sharp edge), and Spread grows the shadow with positive values or shrinks it with negative ones.
What does the inset box-shadow option do?
The Inset toggle changes a shadow from an outer one to an inner one. Inner shadows sit inside the element to create a pressed or recessed look, which is common on input fields and active buttons.
How do I add multiple box shadows?
Click Add layer to stack a new shadow on top of the current one, up to 10 layers in total. Each layer keeps its own offset, blur, spread, color, opacity, and inset, and the generator joins them into a single comma-separated box-shadow rule.
How do I make a soft, subtle shadow?
Use low opacity (around 10 to 25%), avoid pure black, and layer two or three gentle shadows instead of one strong one. The Soft and Elevated presets are built exactly this way and make a good starting point.
Can I use colored shadows instead of black?
Yes. Open the color picker and choose any shade that matches your palette; colored shadows often look richer than plain black. The Neon preset shows a colored glow built from spread and a vivid hue.
Is the generated CSS compatible with all browsers?
Yes. box-shadow is supported by every modern browser, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, and needs no vendor prefixes, so you can paste the output straight into your stylesheet.
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