CSS Box Shadow Generator
Create and visualize CSS box shadow effects with a real-time preview and customizable options.
Shadow Layers
box-shadow: 5px 5px 10px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
Box Shadow Guide
The CSS box-shadow property adds shadow effects around an element's frame. You can set multiple effects separated by commas. A box shadow is described by X and Y offsets relative to the element, blur and spread radius, and color.
Box shadows are essential for creating depth and hierarchy in modern web design. They help establish visual relationships between elements and can guide users through your interface by creating subtle visual cues about element importance and interactivity.
Interactive Shadow Builder
Anatomy of a Box Shadow
box-shadow: [inset?] x-offset y-offset blur-radius spread-radius color;Common Use Cases
Box shadows serve different purposes in UI design. From subtle depth indicators to interactive feedback, here are some common patterns and when to use them. The key is to use shadows purposefully to enhance usability and visual hierarchy.
box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);Perfect for cards and elevated surfaces
box-shadow: inset 0 2px 4px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);Creates a pressed or sunken effect
transition: box-shadow 0.3s ease;Interactive hover states
Design Principles
Creating effective shadows is about more than just adding depth. It's about creating a cohesive visual language that enhances your user interface and improves user experience. Here are key principles to follow when working with box shadows, along with practical examples and guidelines.
1. Natural Light Direction
Shadows should follow a consistent light source direction, typically from above. This creates a natural, intuitive feel that users subconsciously understand. Consider these aspects:
- • Light typically comes from above (0° to 45° angle)
- • Shadows should fall below and slightly to one side
- • Maintain consistency across your interface
2. Multiple Shadows
Combining multiple shadows can create more realistic and nuanced depth effects. This technique is particularly effective for creating sophisticated elevation hierarchies:
- • Ambient shadow (large, soft spread)
- • Direct shadow (smaller, sharper)
- • Optional inner shadow for depth
3. Subtle is Better
Shadows should enhance the user interface without drawing attention to themselves. Follow these guidelines for subtle, effective shadows:
- • Use low opacity (0.1-0.2)
- • Keep blur radius moderate
- • Avoid harsh, dark shadows
4. Interactive States
Use shadows to provide visual feedback for interactive elements. This creates a more engaging and responsive interface:
- • Default state: subtle shadow
- • Hover: increased elevation
- • Active/Pressed: reduced elevation
5. Elevation Hierarchy
Use shadow intensity to establish a clear visual hierarchy. Higher elevation suggests greater importance or interaction priority:
6. Contextual Shadows
Adapt shadow styles based on the context and purpose of the element:
Shadow Scale System
Implement a consistent shadow scale system to maintain visual harmony across your interface. Each level serves a specific purpose and should be used consistently:
Cards, sections
Navigation, toolbars
Modals, dialogs
Performance Considerations
While box shadows are powerful design tools, they can impact performance if not used carefully. Understanding these considerations will help you create efficient, performant interfaces without sacrificing visual quality.
What to Avoid
Large blur-radius values (>20px) can impact rendering performance
Multiple complex shadows
Animating box-shadow directly
Best Practices
Use transform for animations
Optimize with will-change
Keep shadows simple and subtle
Useful Resources
These carefully selected tools and resources will help you create beautiful, performant box shadows for your projects. Each tool offers unique features to enhance your shadow design workflow.
Smooth Shadow Generator
Create smooth, layered shadows for realistic depth
CSS Scan Shadows
Collection of beautiful box-shadow examples
Neumorphism Generator
Design soft UI and neumorphic shadows
Shadow Palette Generator
Generate consistent shadow systems
CSS Gradient & Shadow
Combine gradients with shadows
Box Shadow Visualizer
Interactive box shadow tool
Quick Tips
Different UI elements require different types of shadows to effectively communicate their purpose and hierarchy. Here are some tried-and-tested shadow configurations for common UI elements.
For Cards
box-shadow: 0 1px 3px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);Light elevation for card elements
For Dropdowns
box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);Medium elevation for floating elements
For Modals
box-shadow: 0 20px 25px -5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);Heavy elevation for modal dialogs
For Input Fields
box-shadow: inset 0 2px 4px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06);Subtle inset shadow for form inputs