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CSS Tools

Box Shadow Generator

Design layered CSS box-shadows visually with live preview. Stack multiple inner and outer shadows, tune offset, blur, spread, opacity, and border radius, then copy CSS or Tailwind utility classes.

Read the full guide

Practical guide

Box shadows are small CSS details that change how a component sits on the page. Use the preview to tune elevation, softness, and spread, then tune the border radius so the edge and shadow feel like one design decision.

Example preview

Visual examples show the kind of input and output this tool is designed around.

Layered card shadow preview

Tune offset, blur, spread, and opacity while watching the component preview.

Box shadow generator demo showing a card preview and CSS output

Where this fits

Design cards and floating panels

Layer a soft outer shadow for elevation or a tighter shadow when the component should feel closer to the surface.

Create inset effects

Use inner shadows for pressed controls, recessed panels, or subtle input depth without adding extra markup.

Prepare production CSS

After experimenting, clean up the copied CSS before dropping it into a stylesheet or component file.

How to use Box Shadow Generator

  1. 1Choose a starting shadowBegin with one layer and a realistic component preview.
  2. 2Adjust offset and blurUse offset for direction and blur for softness; avoid huge values unless the design intentionally needs a glow.
  3. 3Tune spread and opacitySpread changes the shadow footprint, while opacity controls how heavy the component feels.
  4. 4Add layers sparinglyMultiple shadows can look more natural, but too many layers are harder to maintain.
  5. 5Copy CSS or Tailwind outputUse the output that matches your codebase and test it on the real background color.

Practical notes

Match the background before final copy

A shadow that looks good on white can look muddy on a colored surface. If the component also needs atmosphere, pair it with a subtle gradient and test both together.

Component surface workflow

Treat shadows as part of a component system, not a one-off decoration.

  1. 1

    Design shadow

  2. 2

    Border Generator

  3. 3

    CSS Beauty, Minify & Formatter

Questions worth checking

How many shadow layers should I use?

One or two layers are enough for most UI. Add more only when each layer has a visible purpose, such as contact shadow plus soft elevation.

Why does my shadow look too heavy?

Opacity, spread, and blur are usually the culprits. Lower opacity first, then reduce spread if the shadow still feels dense.

Should dark mode use the same shadow?

Usually no. Dark interfaces often need lower opacity, subtle borders, or highlights because black shadows can disappear on dark surfaces.

Workflow links

tune the border radiusUse with shadows when a card or panel edge needs matching CSS.pair it with a subtle gradientUse when a shadow treatment also needs a background layer.clean up the copied CSSUse after experimenting when the final CSS block needs formatting.

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Border GeneratorDesign CSS borders visually with per-side widths, eight border styles, color with opacity, and per-corner border-radius. Live preview, real use-case demos, and one-click copy of CSS or Tailwind utility classes.
Gradient GeneratorCreate linear, radial, and conic CSS gradients visually with live preview and copy clean CSS or Tailwind utility classes instantly.
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