Interactive Neumorphism (Soft UI) CSS Generator

Neumorphism, a portmanteau of "new" and "skeuomorphism," is a modern design trend that creates a soft, extruded, plastic-like aesthetic. It aims to make UI elements look like they are part of the background, pushed out or pressed in, rather than floating on top like in material design.

The core principle of neumorphism lies in the subtle and clever use of shadows and light. Instead of one dark drop shadow, neumorphic designs use two: a light shadow on one side and a dark shadow on the opposite side. This creates the illusion that the UI element is connected to the background surface.

Key Characteristics of Neumorphism:

• Subtlety is Key: The effect relies on low contrast and soft transitions. The element and the background are typically very similar in color.
• Dual Shadows: A light, top-left shadow (simulating a light source) and a dark, bottom-right shadow (simulating an indent) are the defining features.
• Soft Edges: Heavy blur and minimal distance create the "soft plastic" look. Sharp, hard shadows are avoided.
• Monochromatic Color Palettes: Neumorphic designs often use various shades and tints of a single color to maintain the low-contrast aesthetic.

Our generator simplifies this complex interplay of shadows. By adjusting the controls, you are manipulating two `box-shadow` values simultaneously to create the final effect.

Our generator gives you granular control over every property needed to create the perfect neumorphic element. Here’s a breakdown of the controls:

1. Shape: This is the most important control for defining the element's appearance.
   • Flat: A modern, subtle look that appears almost flush with the surface but has soft shadows to define its edges.
   • Convex: The classic neumorphic look. The element appears to be extruded outwards from the background.
   • Concave: The opposite of convex. The element appears to be pushed inwards or indented into the surface.
   • Pressed: Simulates a button being actively pressed, often with inner shadows to create the illusion of depth.
2. Color: Sets the base color for both the element and the background. For the best neumorphic effect, choose a color that isn't pure white or black. Light, desaturated colors work best. The generator will automatically calculate the light and dark shadow colors based on your selection.
3. Size: Controls the width and height of the preview element.
4. Border Radius: Adjusts the roundness of the corners. Higher values create a softer, more "bubbly" appearance, which is common in neumorphic design.
5. Distance: How far the shadows are cast from the element. Smaller distances create a more subtle, realistic effect.
6. Blur: The most critical property for the "soft" look. A higher blur value creates softer, more diffused shadows. Zero blur will result in hard, unrealistic edges.
7. Intensity: Controls the contrast between the light/dark shadows and the base color. Higher intensity makes the shadows more pronounced, creating a more dramatic effect. Lower intensity is more subtle.

Experiment with these settings to see how they interact. Once you're happy with your design, simply click the copy button to get the clean, ready-to-use CSS code.

A common criticism of neumorphism is its potential for poor accessibility. Because it relies on low-contrast elements, users with visual impairments may struggle to distinguish UI components like buttons and inputs from the background.

Best Practices for Accessible Neumorphism:

• Don't Rely on Shadows Alone: Ensure interactive elements have other visual cues, such as icons, text labels, or a slightly different background color, to indicate their function. The 'pressed' state in our generator is a good example of providing clear feedback.
• Increase Intensity for Important Elements: For critical buttons or links, use a higher intensity value to make the shadows more prominent and easier to see.
• Test with Real Users: Use tools to simulate color blindness and test your designs with contrast checkers.
• Provide Clear Focus States: When a user tabs to an interactive neumorphic element, its focus state (e.g., an outline or a change in shadow) should be highly visible. You might need to add a standard `outline` or a more prominent `box-shadow` for `:focus` states. For example:

  .neumorphic-button:focus {
      outline: 2px solid var(--your-brand-color);
      outline-offset: 4px;
  }

Neumorphism can be beautiful, but it must be used thoughtfully to ensure an inclusive user experience for everyone.

Neumorphism is just one piece of the design puzzle. Combine it with other effects and styles using our other generators:

• Glassmorphism Generator: Explore another popular UI trend focused on frosted-glass effects.
• CSS Box Shadow Generator: For when you need a classic, single-source drop shadow.
• Gradient Generator: Create beautiful, smooth gradient backgrounds that complement the soft look of neumorphism.
• WCAG Contrast Checker: Crucial for ensuring the text and icons on your neumorphic elements are accessible.