Flat design is out. Subtle elevation through box shadows gives UI elements hierarchy, interactivity hints, and visual polish. But writing box-shadow values by hand — especially layered, multi-shadow effects — requires trial and error. A visual generator eliminates the guessing.
What Is Box Shadow Generator?
CSS box-shadow adds shadow effects to elements. It accepts offset-x, offset-y, blur-radius, spread-radius, and color. Multiple shadows can be comma-separated for layered effects. Our Box Shadow Generator creates shadows with a live preview editor.
How to Use Box Shadow Generator on DevToolHub
- Open the Box Shadow Generator tool on DevToolHub — no signup required.
- Paste or enter your input data in the left panel.
- See the result instantly in the output panel.
- Copy the result or download it as a file.
Shadow Recipes for Common UI Patterns
Ready-to-use shadow styles for different elevations:
/* Subtle card elevation */
box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.08),
0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);
/* Medium elevation (dropdowns, popovers) */
box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0,0,0,0.1),
0 2px 4px -2px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
/* High elevation (modals, dialogs) */
box-shadow: 0 20px 25px -5px rgba(0,0,0,0.1),
0 8px 10px -6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
/* Inner shadow (inset inputs) */
box-shadow: inset 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);
/* Colored glow (buttons on hover) */
box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(108, 92, 231, 0.4);Pro Tips
- Use multiple layered shadows for realistic depth — a single shadow looks flat
- Keep shadow opacity low (0.05-0.15) for professional, subtle elevation
- Use inset shadows for pressed states and input fields
- Transition box-shadow on hover for interactive elevation effects (hover:shadow-lg)
When You Need This
- Adding elevation to card and panel components
- Creating hover effects for buttons and interactive elements
- Building modal and dropdown shadow styles
- Designing neumorphic/glassmorphic UI effects
Free Tools Mentioned in This Article