How to Build a CSS Box Shadow (With a Live Preview)
Published September 14, 2026 · 2 min read
Getting a box-shadow's offset, blur, spread and color to look right usually means editing CSS and refreshing a browser tab repeatedly. This tool gives you sliders and a live preview so you can see the exact effect before copying the CSS.
Try CSS Box Shadow GeneratorSteps
- 1
Open the CSS Box Shadow Generator
Go to the box-shadow generator.
- 2
Pick a preset or start custom
Choose a Tailwind-style preset, or dial in your own offset, blur, spread and color.
- 3
Add a second shadow layer (optional)
Layer a second shadow for more depth, like design systems often use.
- 4
Copy the CSS
Paste the generated box-shadow rule directly into your stylesheet.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — toggle inset mode to get a shadow that appears inside the element's border rather than outside it.
Yes — enable a second shadow layer for a more nuanced, layered depth effect, a common technique in modern design systems.
Yes — the preview renders the actual CSS box-shadow property, so what you see is exactly what you'll get when you paste the code.
Because the preview updates live as you adjust each slider, you can fine-tune a shadow to look exactly right before ever touching your stylesheet.