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CompressNConvert

CSS Text Shadow Generator

Build layered CSS text shadows for neon, glow, outline, and letterpress effects. Adjust colors, offsets, and blur on a live text preview and copy CSS.

Runs locally in your browser

Offset

Drag the marker to place the selected layer.

Shadow color

Saturation 0 percent, brightness 0 percent, hue 0 degrees.

Presets

Preview

Readable by design

Typeface

Text color

Saturation 0 percent, brightness 100 percent, hue 0 degrees.

Background

Saturation 64 percent, brightness 16 percent, hue 222 degrees.

Shadow layers

The first layer paints closest to the text.

Generated code

text-shadow: 0px 3px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55);

Complete tool guide

CSS Text Shadow Generator guide

Create CSS text-shadow effects with editable layers. Try a soft lift, neon glow, letterpress, outline, or long-shadow preset, then adjust the text, background, offsets, blur, and colors for your heading or label.

Your input is processed in the current browser tab and is not sent to the application server.

Why use this tool?

  • Preview a layered effect on the text you intend to use.
  • Compare decorative presets without assembling comma-separated CSS by hand.
  • Copy the finished text-shadow declaration for a stylesheet.

Common use cases

  • Keeping headings legible over photography or video
  • Neon and retro display type for landing pages
  • Outlined text where no font weight is heavy enough on its own
  • Subtle letterpress detail on light interface surfaces

How to use it

  1. 1

    Type the text you want to preview and set its size and weight.

  2. 2

    Drag inside the offset pad to place the shadow.

  3. 3

    Add layers to build a glow, an outline, or a long shadow.

  4. 4

    Copy the CSS.

Controls and results explained

Offsets and blur

X and Y move a layer horizontally and vertically. Blur softens it. Unlike box-shadow, text-shadow has no spread or inset value.

Text and backdrop

The same shadow looks different at another font size or on another background. Use representative text and colors for the preview.

Multiple layers

Layers are listed in painting order, with the first closest to the viewer. Combine small and large blur radii for a glow.

Worked examples

Give a heading a soft lift

Start with: The Soft lift preset

  1. Choose Soft lift and use a light preview background.
  2. Inspect the offset and blur, then copy CSS.
text-shadow: 0px 2px 6px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.3);

The declaration changes the shadow only. Keep the text color legible on the final background.

Create letterpress-style text

Start with: The Letterpress preset

  1. Choose Letterpress to load its text, background, and shadow colors.
  2. Copy the shadow declaration and inspect the full preview.
text-shadow: 0px 1px 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);

The light shadow suggests a lower edge. This decorative preset requires a separate readability review before use.

Neon and glow

A glow is built from blurred layers around the letter shapes. Use it selectively on display text and inspect whether the glyph edges remain clear.

Outline approximation

The Outline preset places hard shadows on several sides. It approximates an outline but is not the same as a continuous text stroke.

Readability

Decorative effects can obscure letterforms or change the apparent background near them. Test the complete rendered treatment instead of treating the preset name as a readability guarantee.

Practical tips for better results

  • Use a representative heading length so shadows do not crowd nearby content.
  • Keep body text effects restrained and test at the actual font size.
  • Check for clipping in parents with overflow hidden or tightly constrained line boxes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between text-shadow and box-shadow?

text-shadow follows the glyphs. box-shadow follows the element’s box. Text shadows do not accept inset or spread.

Can text-shadow make a perfect outline?

Offset copies can approximate one, but gaps or uneven thickness may remain around complex glyphs. A text stroke is a different technique.

Does the copied declaration include the font and background?

The text-shadow declaration contains the shadow layers. Apply the surrounding text and background styles separately, or use the available fuller output where appropriate.

What to check before using the result

  • Shadow appearance depends on the font, weight, size, and rendering environment.
  • Presets are decorative starting points, not contrast-certified text styles.

Keep working

Related color & design

Continue with another focused tool from the same collection.

CSS Gradient GeneratorBuild linear, radial, and conic gradients with draggable multi-stop control.CSS Box Shadow GeneratorStack multiple shadow layers and drag the light direction on a live preview.CSS Border Radius GeneratorDrag handles to shape corners, from rounded boxes to organic blob shapes.Glassmorphism GeneratorDesign frosted-glass panels with blur, tint, border, and shadow controls.