Gradients & Shadows

Add depth and visual interest with gradients and shadows. These CSS features create sophisticated designs without images.

🎨 Linear Gradients

/* Basic linear gradient */
.gradient {
    background: linear-gradient(red, blue);
}

/* Direction keywords */
.to-right {
    background: linear-gradient(to right, red, blue);
}

.to-bottom-right {
    background: linear-gradient(to bottom right, red, blue);
}

/* Angle (0deg = up, 90deg = right, 180deg = down, 270deg = left) */
.angle {
    background: linear-gradient(45deg, red, blue);
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, red, blue);
}

/* Multiple colors */
.rainbow {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet
    );
}

/* Color stops (positions) */
.stops {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        red 0%,
        orange 20%,
        yellow 40%,
        green 60%,
        blue 80%,
        violet 100%
    );
}

/* Sharp transitions */
.stripes {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to right,
        red 0%, red 33%,
        white 33%, white 66%,
        blue 66%, blue 100%
    );
}

/* Transparent gradients */
.fade {
    background: linear-gradient(
        to bottom,
        rgba(0,0,0,0),
        rgba(0,0,0,0.8)
    );
}

🔘 Radial Gradients

/* Basic radial gradient */
.radial {
    background: radial-gradient(red, blue);
}

/* Shape: circle or ellipse */
.circle {
    background: radial-gradient(circle, red, blue);
}

.ellipse {
    background: radial-gradient(ellipse, red, blue);
}

/* Size keywords */
.closest-side {
    background: radial-gradient(closest-side, red, blue);
}

.closest-corner {
    background: radial-gradient(closest-corner, red, blue);
}

.farthest-side {
    background: radial-gradient(farthest-side, red, blue);
}

.farthest-corner {
    background: radial-gradient(farthest-corner, red, blue);
}

/* Explicit size */
.sized {
    background: radial-gradient(100px 50px, red, blue);
}

/* Position */
.positioned {
    background: radial-gradient(circle at top left, red, blue);
    background: radial-gradient(circle at 75% 25%, red, blue);
    background: radial-gradient(circle at 100px 50px, red, blue);
}

/* Multiple colors with stops */
.sun {
    background: radial-gradient(
        circle,
        yellow 0%,
        orange 30%,
        red 60%,
        transparent 80%
    );
}

🎡 Conic Gradients

/* Basic conic gradient */
.conic {
    background: conic-gradient(red, yellow, lime, aqua, blue, magenta, red);
}

/* Starting angle */
.angled {
    background: conic-gradient(from 45deg, red, blue);
}

/* Position */
.positioned {
    background: conic-gradient(at 25% 25%, red, blue);
}

/* Color stops */
.pie-chart {
    background: conic-gradient(
        red 0deg 90deg,
        blue 90deg 180deg,
        green 180deg 270deg,
        yellow 270deg 360deg
    );
}

/* Checkerboard pattern */
.checkerboard {
    background: conic-gradient(
        #000 0deg 90deg,
        #fff 90deg 180deg,
        #000 180deg 270deg,
        #fff 270deg 360deg
    );
}

/* Color wheel */
.color-wheel {
    background: conic-gradient(
        hsl(0, 100%, 50%),
        hsl(60, 100%, 50%),
        hsl(120, 100%, 50%),
        hsl(180, 100%, 50%),
        hsl(240, 100%, 50%),
        hsl(300, 100%, 50%),
        hsl(360, 100%, 50%)
    );
    border-radius: 50%;
}

🔁 Repeating Gradients

/* Repeating linear gradient */
.stripes {
    background: repeating-linear-gradient(
        45deg,
        red 0px,
        red 10px,
        white 10px,
        white 20px
    );
}

/* Barbershop pole */
.pole {
    background: repeating-linear-gradient(
        45deg,
        #ff0000 0px,
        #ff0000 20px,
        #ffffff 20px,
        #ffffff 40px,
        #0000ff 40px,
        #0000ff 60px
    );
}

/* Repeating radial gradient */
.rings {
    background: repeating-radial-gradient(
        circle,
        red 0px,
        red 10px,
        white 10px,
        white 20px
    );
}

/* Repeating conic gradient */
.spinner {
    background: repeating-conic-gradient(
        from 0deg,
        red 0deg 10deg,
        white 10deg 20deg
    );
    border-radius: 50%;
}

🎯 Multiple Gradients

/* Layer multiple gradients */
.layered {
    background: 
        linear-gradient(45deg, transparent 30%, blue 30%),
        linear-gradient(-45deg, transparent 30%, red 30%);
}

/* Complex patterns */
.pattern {
    background:
        linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255,255,255,.1) 1px, transparent 1px),
        linear-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,.1) 1px, transparent 1px),
        linear-gradient(45deg, #000 25%, transparent 25%),
        linear-gradient(-45deg, #000 25%, transparent 25%);
    background-size: 20px 20px, 20px 20px, 10px 10px, 10px 10px;
}

/* Overlay gradient on image */
.hero {
    background:
        linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(0,0,0,0.5), rgba(0,0,0,0.8)),
        url('image.jpg');
    background-size: cover;
}

💫 Box Shadow

/* Basic shadow */
.shadow {
    box-shadow: 2px 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
    /*         offset-x offset-y blur color */
}

/* Spread radius */
.spread {
    box-shadow: 2px 2px 5px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
    /*         offset-x offset-y blur spread color */
}

/* No offset (glow) */
.glow {
    box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0,123,255,0.5);
}

/* Multiple shadows */
.multiple {
    box-shadow:
        0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.12),
        0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.24);
}

/* Inset shadow (inside) */
.inset {
    box-shadow: inset 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
}

/* No shadow */
.none {
    box-shadow: none;
}

/* Examples */
/* Subtle card shadow */
.card {
    box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}

/* Elevated card */
.card-elevated {
    box-shadow: 0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
}

/* Pressed button */
.button-pressed {
    box-shadow: inset 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
}

/* Neon glow */
.neon {
    box-shadow: 
        0 0 5px #fff,
        0 0 10px #fff,
        0 0 20px #0ff,
        0 0 30px #0ff,
        0 0 40px #0ff;
}

/* Layered depth */
.layered-shadow {
    box-shadow:
        0 1px 1px rgba(0,0,0,0.11),
        0 2px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.11),
        0 4px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.11),
        0 8px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.11),
        0 16px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.11);
}

✍️ Text Shadow

/* Basic text shadow */
.text-shadow {
    text-shadow: 2px 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);
    /*          offset-x offset-y blur color */
}

/* No blur */
.sharp {
    text-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #000;
}

/* Multiple text shadows */
.multiple {
    text-shadow:
        1px 1px 0 #ccc,
        2px 2px 0 #c9c9c9,
        3px 3px 0 #bbb,
        4px 4px 0 #b9b9b9,
        5px 5px 0 #aaa;
}

/* Glow effect */
.glow {
    text-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.8);
}

/* Neon text */
.neon-text {
    color: #fff;
    text-shadow:
        0 0 5px #fff,
        0 0 10px #fff,
        0 0 20px #ff00de,
        0 0 30px #ff00de,
        0 0 40px #ff00de;
}

/* 3D text */
.text-3d {
    text-shadow:
        1px 1px 0 #ccc,
        2px 2px 0 #c9c9c9,
        3px 3px 0 #bbb,
        4px 4px 0 #b9b9b9,
        5px 5px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);
}

/* Embossed text */
.embossed {
    color: #666;
    text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #fff;
}

/* Engraved text */
.engraved {
    color: #ccc;
    text-shadow: -1px -1px 0 #000;
}

/* Outline text */
.outline {
    color: #fff;
    text-shadow:
        -1px -1px 0 #000,
        1px -1px 0 #000,
        -1px 1px 0 #000,
        1px 1px 0 #000;
}

🎭 Drop Shadow (Filter)

/* drop-shadow works on images with transparency */
.image-shadow {
    filter: drop-shadow(2px 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.5));
}

/* Multiple drop shadows */
.multiple-drop {
    filter: 
        drop-shadow(2px 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.3))
        drop-shadow(0 0 10px rgba(0,123,255,0.5));
}

/* Difference from box-shadow */
/* box-shadow: Rectangle around element */
.box {
    box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
}

/* drop-shadow: Follows alpha channel of image */
.drop {
    filter: drop-shadow(0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.3));
}

/* PNG with transparency */
img.logo {
    filter: drop-shadow(0 4px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.2));
}

🎯 Practical Examples

/* Card with gradient background */
.gradient-card {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
    color: white;
    padding: 2rem;
    border-radius: 8px;
    box-shadow: 0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
}

/* Button with gradient */
.gradient-button {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
    color: white;
    padding: 12px 24px;
    border: none;
    border-radius: 4px;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
    transition: box-shadow 0.3s, transform 0.3s;
}

.gradient-button:hover {
    box-shadow: 0 6px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
    transform: translateY(-2px);
}

/* Glassmorphism effect */
.glass {
    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
    backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
    border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
    border-radius: 16px;
    padding: 2rem;
    box-shadow: 0 8px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}

/* Hero section with overlay */
.hero {
    background: 
        linear-gradient(
            to bottom,
            rgba(0,0,0,0.3),
            rgba(0,0,0,0.7)
        ),
        url('hero-image.jpg');
    background-size: cover;
    background-position: center;
    color: white;
    padding: 100px 20px;
    text-align: center;
}

/* Animated gradient background */
@keyframes gradient-shift {
    0% { background-position: 0% 50%; }
    50% { background-position: 100% 50%; }
    100% { background-position: 0% 50%; }
}

.animated-gradient {
    background: linear-gradient(
        -45deg,
        #ee7752, #e73c7e, #23a6d5, #23d5ab
    );
    background-size: 400% 400%;
    animation: gradient-shift 15s ease infinite;
}

/* Progress bar with gradient */
.progress-bar {
    height: 8px;
    background: #e0e0e0;
    border-radius: 4px;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.progress-fill {
    height: 100%;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
    border-radius: 4px;
    width: 60%;
    box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.5);
}

/* Tag with gradient border */
.gradient-border {
    position: relative;
    padding: 10px 20px;
    border-radius: 8px;
    background: white;
}

.gradient-border::before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    border-radius: 8px;
    padding: 2px;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
    -webkit-mask: 
        linear-gradient(#fff 0 0) content-box, 
        linear-gradient(#fff 0 0);
    -webkit-mask-composite: xor;
    mask-composite: exclude;
}

/* Loading skeleton with gradient */
@keyframes skeleton-loading {
    0% { background-position: -200px 0; }
    100% { background-position: calc(200px + 100%) 0; }
}

.skeleton {
    background: linear-gradient(
        90deg,
        #f0f0f0 0px,
        #e0e0e0 40px,
        #f0f0f0 80px
    );
    background-size: 200px 100%;
    animation: skeleton-loading 1.5s infinite;
}

/* Text with gradient */
.gradient-text {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
    -webkit-background-clip: text;
    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
    background-clip: text;
    font-size: 3rem;
    font-weight: bold;
}

/* Material Design elevation */
.elevation-1 {
    box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}

.elevation-2 {
    box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.12);
}

.elevation-3 {
    box-shadow: 0 6px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
}

.elevation-4 {
    box-shadow: 0 8px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.18);
}

.elevation-5 {
    box-shadow: 0 12px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
}

/* Neumorphism */
.neumorphic {
    background: #e0e0e0;
    border-radius: 20px;
    padding: 2rem;
    box-shadow:
        8px 8px 16px #bebebe,
        -8px -8px 16px #ffffff;
}

.neumorphic-inset {
    background: #e0e0e0;
    border-radius: 20px;
    padding: 2rem;
    box-shadow:
        inset 8px 8px 16px #bebebe,
        inset -8px -8px 16px #ffffff;
}

/* Pricing card with gradient accent */
.pricing-card {
    background: white;
    border-radius: 12px;
    padding: 2rem;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.pricing-card::before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    right: 0;
    height: 4px;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
}

/* Image overlay gradient */
.image-overlay {
    position: relative;
}

.image-overlay::after {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 0;
    left: 0;
    right: 0;
    height: 50%;
    background: linear-gradient(
        to bottom,
        transparent,
        rgba(0,0,0,0.8)
    );
}

/* Badge with shadow */
.badge {
    display: inline-block;
    padding: 4px 12px;
    border-radius: 12px;
    font-size: 0.875rem;
    font-weight: 600;
}

.badge-primary {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
    color: white;
    box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.3);
}

.badge-success {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #11998e 0%, #38ef7d 100%);
    color: white;
    box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(17, 153, 142, 0.3);
}

🎯 Key Takeaways

Linear gradients: Transition colors in straight line (angles or keywords)
Radial gradients: Circular or elliptical color transitions
Conic gradients: Rotate around center point (pie charts, color wheels)
box-shadow: Shadow around element rectangle
text-shadow: Shadow on text characters
drop-shadow: Filter that follows alpha channel
Multiple shadows: Comma-separated for layered effects
Performance: Gradients are faster than images