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CSS Text Shadow Generator Create CSS text shadows with visual controls for offset, blur, color, and opacity.

CSS Text Shadow Generator illustration
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CSS Text Shadow Generator

Create CSS text shadows with visual controls for offset, blur, color, and opacity.

1

Set shadow parameters

Adjust the X/Y offset, blur radius, and shadow color using the visual controls.

2

Preview the effect

See your text shadow applied to customizable preview text in real-time.

3

Copy CSS code

Copy the generated text-shadow CSS property with one click.

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What Is CSS Text Shadow Generator?

The CSS Text Shadow Generator lets you visually design text shadow effects with precise control over offset, blur, color, and opacity. These effects add depth, emphasis, and visual interest to typography in web designs. This tool provides real-time preview on customizable text, letting you experiment with different shadow parameters until you achieve the perfect effect. From subtle drop shadows that improve readability to dramatic glow effects for headings, this generator handles it all. You can adjust the font size and color of the preview text to see exactly how the shadow will look in your design context. The generated CSS code is clean and ready to paste into your stylesheet.

Why Use CSS Text Shadow Generator?

  • Visual sliders for precise control over every shadow parameter
  • Real-time preview with customizable text and font size
  • Opacity control for natural, semi-transparent shadow effects
  • Instant code generation and one-click copy functionality

Common Use Cases

Heading Enhancement

Add subtle shadows to headings for improved depth and visual hierarchy.

Neon Text Effects

Create glowing neon text effects with bright colors and large blur values.

Readability on Images

Add shadows behind text overlaid on images to ensure readability.

Retro Text Styling

Design retro or 3D text effects with offset shadows and bold colors.

Technical Guide

The CSS text-shadow property accepts offset-x, offset-y, blur-radius, and color values. Unlike box-shadow, text-shadow does not support spread radius or the inset keyword. Multiple shadows can be layered by separating values with commas, rendered in order with the first shadow on top. For neon glow effects, use multiple shadows with the same color but increasing blur radius. The blur radius creates a gaussian blur—0 means a sharp shadow, higher values create softer effects. These effects do not affect the element box model or layout. For performance, shadow effects on large amounts of text can impact rendering, especially during animations. Use rgba() colors for semi-transparent shadows that blend naturally with any background.

Tips & Best Practices

  • 1
    Use rgba colors with low alpha for subtle, natural-looking shadows
  • 2
    Combine multiple text-shadows for neon glow or 3D effects
  • 3
    Keep offset small (1-3px) for readable body text shadows
  • 4
    Test shadows against both light and dark backgrounds to confirm they work in both themes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q Can I create multiple text shadows?
The tool generates a single text-shadow. You can manually add more by separating values with commas in the CSS.
Q How do I create a neon glow effect?
Set the offset to 0, use a high blur value (10-20px), and choose a bright, saturated color with full opacity.
Q Does text-shadow support inset?
No, unlike box-shadow, the text-shadow property does not support the inset keyword.
Q Do text shadows affect rendering performance?
Text shadows can impact rendering performance on large amounts of text, especially during animations. Use them judiciously.
Q Can I animate text shadows?
Yes, text-shadow can be animated with CSS transitions and keyframe animations, though this can be expensive for complex shadows.

About This Tool

CSS Text Shadow Generator is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.