CSS Box Shadow Generator
Generate CSS box-shadow with live visual preview.
CSS Output
Generate CSS box-shadow with live visual preview.
This free CSS Box Shadow Generator from KX Toolkit is part of our all-in-one online toolkit. It runs entirely in your browser, so your data never leaves your device for client-side operations. 100% free, forever - no paywall, no credit card, no trial.
How to use the CSS Box Shadow Generator
- Adjust the visual controls in the tool.
- See the live preview update instantly.
- Read the generated CSS code below the preview.
- Copy the code and paste it into your stylesheet.
What you can do with the CSS Box Shadow Generator
- Skip writing CSS by hand for gradients and shadows.
- Prototype layouts with flexbox/grid generators.
- Generate hover/focus animations without keyframes by hand.
- Build component styles faster.
Why use KX Toolkit's CSS Box Shadow Generator
- Browser-based: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android - no install, no extension.
- Privacy-first: Client-side tools never upload your data; server-side tools delete files right after processing.
- Mobile-friendly: Full feature parity on phones and tablets - not a stripped-down view.
- Fast: Optimised for instant feedback. No artificial waiting screens, no email-gated downloads.
- One hub for everything: 300+ tools across SEO, text, image, PDF, code, color, calculators and more - skip switching between sites.
Tips for the best results
Generators are a starting point - always tweak the final values for your design system rather than shipping defaults.
Related CSS Tools
If you find this tool useful, explore the full CSS Tools collection or browse our complete tool directory. KX Toolkit is built for marketers, developers, designers, students and anyone who needs a quick utility without signing up for yet another SaaS.
How do I create a soft, realistic shadow?
Skip large `0 0 10px black` shadows; real shadows are soft, low-opacity, and offset slightly downward. Try something like `0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08)` for cards or `0 12px 32px rgba(0,0,0,0.12)` for floating panels. Stack two shadows: a tight one for definition (`0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.06)`) plus a wider one for ambient depth. The generator lets you layer shadows visually.
What is the difference between inset and outset shadows?
By default, `box-shadow` projects outward from the element. Adding the `inset` keyword draws the shadow inside the element's padding box, useful for inputs, pressed buttons, and recessed panels. You can stack inset and outset shadows in the same declaration to combine outer depth with inner highlights, common in skeuomorphic and neumorphic designs.
How do `blur-radius` and `spread-radius` differ?
`blur-radius` softens the shadow's edge, with larger values producing fuzzier, more diffuse shadows. `spread-radius` enlarges or shrinks the shadow before the blur is applied, so a positive spread expands the shadow uniformly while a negative spread pulls it inward. Combining negative spread with positive offset creates clean directional shadows that don't bleed sideways from the element.
Are box-shadows expensive to render?
Large blur radii on big elements can slow down paint, especially when animated. Modern browsers cache static shadows efficiently, so static shadows on cards rarely cause problems. Avoid animating `box-shadow` directly; instead animate `opacity` on a pseudo-element that holds the shadow, or use `filter: drop-shadow()` with `transform` for cheaper GPU-accelerated transitions.
Can I have multiple shadows on one element?
Yes. Comma-separate as many shadow definitions as you need: `box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.06), 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.08), inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,0.5);`. The first shadow listed renders on top. Use this to build layered depth (close + ambient), simulate borders without using border, or combine inset highlights with outer shadows for tactile button styling.
Why does my shadow get clipped at element edges?
The most common cause is `overflow: hidden` on the element or its parent, which clips the shadow along with overflowing content. To keep the shadow visible, move `overflow: hidden` to a child wrapper, or use `clip-path`/`mask` on the inner content rather than hiding overflow at the parent. A shadow on an element with rounded corners but no overflow constraint will not be clipped.
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