🌟 CSS Shadow Generator

🎯 Basic Drop Shadow

Basic drop shadows add depth and elevation to elements. Use subtle shadows for modern, clean designs.

💎 Elevation Shadows

Material Design elevation system creates consistent depth hierarchy using multiple shadow layers.

🌈 Colored Shadows

Colored shadows add personality and brand identity. Perfect for buttons, cards, and accent elements.

📥 Inset Shadows

Inset shadows create pressed, recessed, or inner glow effects. Great for form inputs and interactive states.

🎭 Multiple Shadows

Multiple shadows create sophisticated effects by combining different shadow types and intensities.

✨ Special Effects

Special shadow effects like neumorphism and paper cuts create unique visual textures and styles.

🔧 Basic Syntax

• inset: Optional. Creates inner shadow instead of outer
• offset-x: Horizontal offset (positive = right, negative = left)
• offset-y: Vertical offset (positive = down, negative = up)
• blur-radius: Shadow blur amount (0 = sharp, higher = softer)
• spread-radius: Shadow size expansion/contraction
• color: Shadow color (rgba, hex, hsl, named colors)

📏 Value Details

• Length units: px, em, rem, %, vw, vh
• Color formats: hex (#000), rgb(0,0,0), rgba(0,0,0,0.5), hsl(), named colors
• Multiple shadows: Separate with commas
• Required values: offset-x, offset-y, color
• Optional values: inset, blur-radius, spread-radius

🔄 Multiple Shadows

• Comma separation: Each shadow separated by comma
• Stacking order: First shadow = topmost layer
• Performance: Limit to 3-4 shadows for best performance
• Mix types: Combine inset and outset shadows

🎨 Color Options

• Transparency: Use rgba() or hsla() for opacity
• Inherit: inherit, initial, unset keywords
• Current color: currentColor keyword uses text color
• Variables: CSS custom properties supported

📱 Browser Support

• box-shadow: All modern browsers, IE9+
• Multiple shadows: All modern browsers, IE9+
• Inset shadows: All modern browsers, IE9+
• Spread radius: All modern browsers, IE9+
• Vendor prefixes: Not needed for modern browsers
• Fallbacks: Provide solid borders for older browsers

⚡ Performance Notes

• GPU acceleration: Use transform3d(0,0,0) for hardware acceleration
• Blur optimization: Large blur values can impact performance
• Animation: Animate shadow properties with care
• Alternative: Consider filter: drop-shadow() for complex shapes
• Mobile: Test performance on mobile devices

🎨 Design Principles

• Consistency: Use consistent shadow styles throughout your design
• Hierarchy: Stronger shadows = higher elevation
• Subtlety: Less is often more - avoid heavy shadows
• Purpose: Every shadow should serve a functional purpose
• Context: Consider lighting direction and environment
• Brand alignment: Match shadow style to brand personality

🔧 Technical Tips

• Performance: Limit to 3-4 shadow layers maximum
• Blur radius: Start small (2-8px) for most use cases
• Opacity: Use 0.1-0.3 alpha for subtle shadows
• Color choice: Use dark grays instead of pure black
• Animation: Transform shadows smoothly with transitions
• Fallbacks: Provide border fallbacks for old browsers

📏 Elevation System

• Level 0: No shadow (flush with surface)
• Level 1: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.12) (slightly raised)
• Level 2: 0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.15) (cards, buttons)
• Level 3: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.15) (dialogs, popups)
• Level 4: 0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.15) (modals, overlays)
• Level 5: 0 16px 32px rgba(0,0,0,0.15) (highest elevation)

🎯 Use Cases

• Cards: Subtle shadows for depth without distraction
• Buttons: Hover state shadows for interactivity
• Forms: Inset shadows for input fields
• Navigation: Drop shadows for floating menus
• Images: Frame shadows for photo galleries
• Tooltips: Strong shadows for overlay elements

🌈 Color Guidelines

• Natural shadows: Use dark gray (rgba(0,0,0,0.1-0.3))
• Brand shadows: Subtle brand color with low opacity
• Warm shadows: Slightly brown tint for warm designs
• Cool shadows: Slightly blue tint for tech/modern designs
• Colored elements: Shadow color should complement element color
• High contrast: Darker shadows for better accessibility

♿ Accessibility

• Focus states: Clear shadow outlines for keyboard navigation
• Contrast: Ensure shadows don't reduce text readability
• Motion sensitivity: Avoid animated shadows for sensitive users
• High contrast mode: Test in high contrast browser modes
• Screen readers: Shadows are decorative, don't affect content
• Print styles: Consider shadow visibility in print media