CSS Function - drop-shadow()
CSS drop-shadow() function applies a shadow effect to an element. It is used with the CSS filter property and is similar to box-shadow property, but drop-shadow() applies shadows to non-rectangular shapes, considering transparency.
Syntax
The syntax for the CSS drop-shadow() function is as follows:
filter: drop-shadow(offset-x offset-y blur-radius color);
Parameters
CSS drop-shadow() function accepts the following parameters:
| Parameters | Description |
|---|---|
| offset-x | It is a required parameter. It specifies the offset of horizontal shadow. The positive value sets the horizontal shadow in positive x (right side) and negative value in negative x (left side) direction. |
| offset-y | It is a required parameter. It specifies the offset of vertical shadow. The positive value sets the vertical shadow in the positive y (upward) and the negative value in the negative y (downward) direction. |
| blur-radius | It is an optional parameter. It sets the blur radius of the shadow. |
| spread-radius | It is an optional parameter. It sets the spread radius of the shadow. |
| color | It is an optional parameter. It sets the color of the shadow. |
Examples of CSS drop-shadow() Function
The following examples illustrate the use of the CSS drop-shadow() function on images and text in various conditions.
Adding Drop Shadow to an Image
In this example, we have created a drop shadow of the image using only horizontal and vertical offset.
Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>CSS drop-shadow() Function</title>
<style>
.container {
width: 400px;
border: 2px solid #04af2f;
padding: 20px;
margin: 10px;
display: inline-block;
}
.img1 {
filter: drop-shadow(15px 15px);
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h2>CSS drop-shadow() Function</h2>
<div class="container">
<img class="img1" src="/?originalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tutorialspoint.com%2Fhtml%2Fimages%2Ftest.png" alt="logo">
</div>
</body>
</html>
Applying a Blur Effect to the Drop Shadow
In this example, we have used the blur-radius parameter to add a blur effect to the shadow of the image.
Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>CSS drop-shadow() Function</title>
<style>
.container {
width: 400px;
border: 2px solid #04af2f;
padding: 20px;
margin: 10px;
display: inline-block;
}
.img1 {
filter: drop-shadow(10px 10px 2px rgba(210, 105, 30, 0.4));
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h2>CSS drop-shadow() Function</h2>
<div class="container">
<img class="img1" src="/?originalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tutorialspoint.com%2Fhtml%2Fimages%2Ftest.png" alt="logo">
</div>
</body>
</html>
Applying Drop Shadow on Text
In this example, we have used the drop-shadow() function to add a shadow on the text.
Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>CSS drop-shadow() Function</title>
<style>
.container {
width: 400px;
border: 2px solid #04af2f;
padding: 20px;
margin: 10px;
display: inline-block;
}
p {
font-size: 25px;
filter: drop-shadow(5px 5px 1px #04af2f);
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h2>CSS drop-shadow() Function</h2>
<div class="container">
<p>This is just a paragraph with a shadow.</p>
</div>
</body>
</html>
Applying a Reverse Drop Shadow on Images
In this example, we have used the negative values of horizontal and vertical offset to create a reverse drop shadow of the image.
Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>CSS drop-shadow() Function</title>
<style>
.container {
width: 400px;
border: 2px solid #04af2f;
padding: 20px;
margin: 10px;
display: inline-block;
}
.img1 {
filter: drop-shadow(-10px -10px 2px rgba(210, 105, 30, 0.4));
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h2>CSS drop-shadow() Function</h2>
<div class="container">
<img class="img1" src="/?originalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tutorialspoint.com%2Fhtml%2Fimages%2Ftest.png" alt="logo">
</div>
</body>
</html>
Applying Drop Shadow on Hover
In this example, the drop-shadow() effect is applied when hovering over an image.
Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>CSS drop-shadow() Function</title>
<style>
img:hover {
filter: drop-shadow(10px 10px 2px rgba(210, 105, 30, 0.4));
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h2>CSS drop-shadow() Function</h2>
<p>
<strong>Hover over this image to add a shadow effect.</strong>
</p>
<img src="/?originalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tutorialspoint.com%2Fhtml%2Fimages%2Ftest.png" alt="logo">
</body>
</html>
Supported Browsers
| Function | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| drop-shadow() | 18 | 12 | 35 | 6 | 15 |




