About the Handiwork CSS Box Shadow Generator
Create a CSS box shadow visually and copy the finished declaration. Adjust offsets, blur, spread, color, opacity, and inset mode while viewing a live preview that updates as you work.
How to use the Handiwork CSS Box Shadow Generator
- Adjust the horizontal and vertical offsets, blur, and spread.
- Choose a shadow color and opacity, then enable an inner shadow if needed.
- Review the card preview and copy the generated box-shadow declaration.
What box-shadow controls do
Horizontal and vertical offsets move the shadow, blur softens its edge, and spread expands or contracts its size. Inset changes the shadow from an outer shadow to an inner edge effect.
Use soft shadows with restraint
Small, low-opacity shadows usually create a clearer interface than dark, highly blurred shadows. Match the shadow direction and intensity to the lighting implied by the rest of your design.
Outer and inner shadows
An outer shadow separates an element from its background. An inset shadow creates depth inside the element and can suggest a pressed control or recessed panel.
Copy the CSS into your project
The tool outputs one valid box-shadow declaration using pixel dimensions and an eight-digit hexadecimal color. Paste it into a selector, component style, or CSS custom property.
Assumptions and limitations
- The generator creates one shadow layer at a time; multiple layers can be joined with commas manually.
- The preview uses a simple rounded card and may not match the dimensions of your final component.
- Very large blur and spread values can affect rendering performance on complex pages.
- Colors are exported as hexadecimal values with alpha transparency.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this shadow on any element?
Yes. Copy the declaration into a CSS rule for most block, card, button, image, and form elements.
What does inset do?
Inset places the shadow inside the element instead of outside it, creating a recessed or pressed appearance.
How do I create multiple shadows?
Create each shadow separately, then combine the values in one box-shadow declaration separated by commas.
Why does my shadow look different?
The result changes with the element size, background color, border radius, and nearby shadows. Use the preview as a starting point and test it in context.
Is the generated CSS responsive?
The declaration works at any viewport size, but fixed pixel values may need adjustment for different component sizes.