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Bee Hive

Box Shadow Generator

Create customizable CSS box shadows with live preview.

Preview
box-shadow: 5px 5px 20px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35);

About Box Shadow Generator

The Box Shadow Generator is a visual design tool that helps web developers and designers create stunning CSS box shadows without memorizing syntax or guessing values. Box shadows add depth, dimension, and visual hierarchy to web elements, making your designs feel more polished and professional. This tool provides intuitive slider controls for every shadow parameter: horizontal and vertical offset control shadow position, blur radius creates soft or hard edges, spread radius expands or contracts the shadow, and color with opacity lets you match your design palette perfectly. The live preview updates instantly as you adjust values, showing exactly how your shadow will look on a white element against a dark background. An inset toggle lets you create inner shadows for embossed or recessed effects. Once satisfied, simply copy the generated CSS code and paste it directly into your stylesheet. All processing happens locally in your browser – no server calls, fast performance, and complete privacy. Whether you're adding subtle elevation to cards, creating neumorphic designs, or building dramatic drop shadows, this generator gives you precise control with immediate visual feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is box-shadow in CSS?

Box-shadow is a CSS property that adds shadow effects around an element's frame. It creates depth and visual hierarchy in web design.

What do the offset values control?

Horizontal offset moves shadow left (negative) or right (positive). Vertical offset moves it up (negative) or down (positive). Both at 0 creates shadow directly under the element.

What's the difference between blur and spread?

Blur radius makes the shadow softer and larger. Spread radius makes the shadow grow (positive) or shrink (negative) in all directions before blurring.

When should I use inset shadows?

Inset shadows appear inside the element rather than outside, creating an embossed or pressed-in look. Great for input fields and neumorphic designs.

How do I create a subtle shadow?

Use small offset values (3-5px), moderate blur (10-20px), zero spread, and low opacity (0.1-0.2). This creates a soft, natural-looking shadow.

Can I use multiple shadows?

Yes! CSS supports comma-separated multiple shadows. Generate each shadow separately with this tool, then combine them in your CSS.

Why use RGBA for shadow color?

RGBA includes alpha (opacity) which is essential for shadows. A semi-transparent shadow looks more natural than an opaque one.

What are common shadow patterns for cards?

Light cards often use: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1). For elevated cards: 0 10px 25px rgba(0,0,0,0.15). Experiment with the sliders to match your design.

Does box-shadow affect layout?

No. Box shadows don't affect the element's layout or size. However, they may be clipped if the parent has overflow:hidden.

Is the generated code cross-browser compatible?

Yes. Modern box-shadow syntax is supported by all current browsers. Vendor prefixes are no longer needed for basic usage.