Build multi-layer CSS box shadows with Material Design 3 elevation presets, spread and blur control, inset mode, and live preview. Export as CSS, Tailwind v4, or SCSS.
Presets:
Layers
CSS
How to Use Box Shadow Generator in 3 Steps
Configure. Start from a Material Design 3 elevation preset (1-5), Apple system shadow, or a custom single-shadow baseline.
Process. Tweak each layer: x/y offset, blur radius, spread, and color with per-layer opacity. Add more layers for realistic depth.
Export. Copy the CSS or Tailwind utility. Live preview shows the shadow on a demo card with hoverable light/dark toggle.
Why Box Shadow Generator on Pixlane
Box shadows define depth and hierarchy in modern UI. A single shadow rarely looks right — realistic elevation needs multi-layer shadows combining tight ambient + soft diffuse. Pixlane's generator ships with Material Design 3 elevation presets (elevation-1 through elevation-5), live preview, and visual knobs for every shadow parameter including modern `color-mix()` opacity handling.
Material Design 3 Presets — Pre-built MD3 elevation-1 through elevation-5 shadows — dual-layer umbra + penumbra combinations used in Android, Flutter, and modern web UIs.
Multi-Layer Support — Add up to 10 shadow layers. Realistic depth requires combining a tight close shadow with a soft diffuse one — the generator makes this one-click.
Inset Mode — Toggle inset for inner shadows (buttons pressed state, inputs focus ring). Each layer independently inset or outset.
Live Preview + Dark Mode — See the shadow on a card in light and dark modes. Catches visibility issues before shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use multi-layer shadows?
Real-world objects cast two shadows: a sharp close contact shadow and a soft diffuse one. Single CSS shadows look flat and artificial. Combining tight-small and wide-large shadows with different opacities creates convincing depth.
What is Material Design 3 elevation?
Google's design system defines elevation 0-5 with specific shadow specs: elevation-1 is a card, elevation-3 is a dialog, elevation-5 is a modal. The specs use dual-layer shadows for realism — Pixlane includes all of them.
Can I preview on dark backgrounds?
Yes. Toggle the preview background between light and dark. Dark UIs often need adjusted shadows (reduced opacity, sometimes inverted to light) which the preview reveals.
Is this tool free?
Yes. Box Shadow Generator on Pixlane is completely free with no signup required.