In this article
What Are Drop Shadows for Images
A drop shadow is a visual effect that creates the illusion of the image floating above the background by projecting a blurred shadow behind and slightly offset from the image. Shadows add depth and dimension, making images look like physical objects lifted off the page.
Shadow parameters include horizontal and vertical offset for positioning, blur radius for softness, spread for shadow size relative to the image, and color for tint. The tool exports with a transparent background, so the shadow works naturally when the image is placed on any background in your final design.
How the Image Shadow Tool Works
Configure shadow offset, blur, spread, and color with real-time preview, all in your browser.
- Upload your image — select any JPG, PNG, or WebP file from your device
- Adjust shadow settings — control the horizontal and vertical offset, blur radius, spread distance, and shadow color to achieve the exact shadow style you want
- Download with transparent background — export the image with its shadow as a PNG with transparency, ready to place on any background
Try it free — no signup required
Open Shadow Tool →When To Use Drop Shadows
Drop shadows add professional polish and visual hierarchy to images.
- Product photography — add shadows to product images on white backgrounds to create the floating product effect used in e-commerce listings and catalogs
- Presentation slides — apply shadows to screenshots and graphics in slide decks to lift them off the background and create visual layers that guide the audience attention
- Marketing materials — use shadows on hero images and feature graphics to add depth and professionalism to landing pages, email campaigns, and social media posts
Frequently Asked Questions
What does spread control?
Spread controls how much the shadow expands or contracts relative to the image size. Positive spread makes the shadow larger than the image, creating a glow-like effect. Negative spread makes it smaller, producing a tighter, more subtle shadow beneath the image.
Can I create a shadow without offset?
Yes. Setting both horizontal and vertical offset to zero creates a centered shadow that appears evenly around all edges, similar to a glow effect. Combined with a colored shadow, this creates a neon glow look around the image.
Why is the output transparent?
The shadow needs to appear on whatever background you place the image on. A transparent PNG preserves the shadow shape and opacity so it blends naturally with any background color or pattern in your final design.