Crafting the perfect `box-shadow` in CSS can be a tedious process of trial and error. Stop manually tweaking pixel values and guessing at colors. Our free Visual CSS Box-Shadow Generator provides an interactive interface to create complex, multi-layered shadows with ease, giving you the perfect code to copy and paste directly into your project.

How to Use Our Box-Shadow Generator

Creating your perfect shadow effect is simple with our visual controls:

1. Adjust the sliders for Horizontal/Vertical Offset, Blur Radius, and Spread Radius.
2. Use the color picker or enter a hex code to choose your desired Shadow Color.
3. Observe the Live Preview update in real-time as you make changes.
4. Toggle the Inset checkbox if you want an inner shadow instead of an outer drop shadow.
5. Once you're happy with the result, click the Copy Code button to grab the cross-browser compatible CSS.

Example Shadow Styles

Here are a few popular styles you can create with this tool:

1. Subtle Card Shadow (Material Design Style)

box-shadow: 0px 2px 4px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);

2. Sharp, Lifted Effect

box-shadow: 10px 10px 0px 0px rgba(52,152,219,0.8);

3. Soft Inner Glow (Inset)

box-shadow: 0px 0px 15px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.15) inset;

Understanding the CSS box-shadow Property

The `box-shadow` property in CSS is a powerful tool that allows web designers to add depth and dimension to elements on a page. By simulating a shadow, you can make elements appear as if they are floating above the page, recessed into it, or simply create a subtle glow effect. Getting the syntax right by hand can be tricky, which is why a visual generator is so helpful.

The property can take several values, which our tool helps you control:

• Horizontal Offset (`offset-x`): A positive value moves the shadow to the right, while a negative value moves it to the left.
• Vertical Offset (`offset-y`): A positive value moves the shadow down, while a negative value moves it up.
• Blur Radius: A larger value creates a more blurred, softer shadow. A value of 0 results in a sharp, unblurred shadow. This value cannot be negative.
• Spread Radius: A positive value increases the size of the shadow, making it larger than the element, while a negative value shrinks it.
• Color: Defines the color of the shadow. Using colors with transparency (RGBA) often produces more realistic results.
• Inset (Optional): If this keyword is present, the shadow is drawn inside the element's border, creating a recessed or "pressed in" effect.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I create multiple shadows on one element?

Yes! The CSS `box-shadow` property accepts a comma-separated list of shadow values. You can layer multiple shadows to create incredibly detailed and realistic depth effects. While our generator focuses on creating one perfect shadow layer at a time, you can use it to generate several styles and then combine them manually in your CSS file.

Q2: What is the difference between Blur and Spread?

This is a common point of confusion. The Blur Radius determines how "fuzzy" the shadow is; a higher value means a softer, more spread-out edge. The Spread Radius, on the other hand, grows or shrinks the shadow's overall size *before* any blur is applied. A positive spread makes the shadow bigger in all directions, while a negative spread makes it smaller.

Q3: Why does the generated code include `-webkit-box-shadow`?

The `-webkit-` prefix is a vendor prefix that was once required to ensure the `box-shadow` property worked on older versions of WebKit-based browsers, like Safari and Chrome. While modern browsers have excellent support for the standard `box-shadow` property, including the prefix is a good practice for ensuring maximum backward compatibility with older devices.