CSS Box Shadow and Inset Shadow Generator
Adjust shadow controls, preview the result, and copy CSS box-shadow code for cards, buttons, panels, and UI mockups.
What the CSV showed
The keyword export included box shadow generator, plus related searches around shadow styling for interface components. This browser tool focuses on standard CSS box-shadow because it is the intent most useful for a static web utility. It gives designers and developers a fast preview loop before copying a value into a card, button, dropdown, modal, or dashboard panel.
How to use shadows well
Keep UI shadows subtle. Large blur, low opacity, and a small vertical offset usually feel more polished than heavy black edges. Use stronger shadows for floating menus and lighter shadows for cards. If every component has a heavy shadow, nothing feels elevated; the page simply looks noisy.
Think of shadows as hierarchy. A page card might use a soft shadow or no shadow at all. A dropdown can use a stronger shadow because it floats above the page and needs separation. A modal can use the strongest shadow because it temporarily becomes the most important surface.
Choosing shadow values
The X offset controls left and right movement, while the Y offset controls vertical direction. The blur value softens the edge, and spread changes the size of the shadow before blur is applied. Opacity usually matters more than color. A black shadow at low opacity often looks cleaner than a saturated brand-color shadow, but a tinted shadow can work for playful UI or branded highlights.
Inset shadows are useful for pressed states, recessed panels, form fields, and small controls. Use them sparingly because they can make components feel disabled or sunken if the contrast is too strong.
Copying into projects
After copying the CSS, test it against the real component background. A shadow that looks good on white may disappear on gray or become too heavy on dark UI. Also check responsive layouts. A card shadow that feels balanced on desktop may look oversized on a small mobile card. Keep the final CSS in a reusable variable or component token if the same elevation style appears in several places.
FAQ
What is box-shadow in CSS?
box-shadow adds a shadow around or inside an element using offset, blur, spread, and color values.
Can I create inset shadows?
Yes. Turn on the inset option before copying the CSS.
Does this generate React Native shadows?
It generates CSS. React Native uses different shadow properties, but the preview can still help choose direction and softness.