SVG Drop Shadows

Description of SVG filters

All SVG filters are defined inside a <defs> element. The <defs> element is a short form of definitions. It contains a definition of specific elements like filters. The <filter> element defines an SVG filter. This element has an id attribute (required) identifying the filter.

To create drop shadows, use the <feOffset> element. You will need to take an SVG graphic and move it in the xy plane.

Example of the SVG <feOffset> element:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Title of the document</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <svg width="150" height="150">
      <defs>
        <filter id="filter" x="0" y="0" width="150%" height="150%">
          <feOffset result="offOut" in="SourceGraphic" dx="30" dy="30" />
          <feBlend in="SourceGraphic" in2="offOut" mode="normal" />
        </filter>
      </defs>
      <rect width="110" height="110" stroke="purple" stroke-width="5" fill="pink" 
            filter="url(#filter)" /> 
      Sorry, your browser doesn't support inline SVG.
    </svg>
  </body>
</html>

In the above-mentioned example, the <filter> element’s id attribute specifies a unique name for the filter, and the <rect> element’s filter attribute links the element to the "filter" filter.

Example of the SVG <feGaussianBlur> element:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Title of the document</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <svg width="200" height="200">
      <defs>
        <filter id="filter" x="0" y="0" width="250%" height="250%">
          <feOffset result="offOut" in="SourceGraphic" dx="30" dy="30" />
          <feGaussianBlur result="blurOut" in="offOut" stdDeviation="10" />
          <feBlend in="SourceGraphic" in2="blurOut" mode="normal" />
        </filter>
      </defs>
      <rect width="150" height="150" stroke="coral" stroke-width="5" fill="pink" 
            filter="url(#filter)" /> 
      Sorry, your browser doesn't support inline SVG.
    </svg>
  </body>
</html>

Here, it is possible to blur the offset image with the <feGaussianBlur> element. This element’s stdDeviation attribute specifies the amount of blur.

In the following example, the <feOffset> element’s in attribute is changed to "SourceAlpha". It uses the Alpha channel to apply blur instead of the whole RGBA pixel.

Example of coloring the shadow:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Title of the document</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <svg height="200" width="200">
      <defs>
        <filter id="filter" x="0" y="0" width="150%" height="150%">
          <feOffset result="offOut" in="SourceAlpha" dx="15" dy="15" />
          <feGaussianBlur result="blurOut" in="offOut" stdDeviation="8" />
          <feBlend in="SourceGraphic" in2="blurOut" mode="normal" />
        </filter>
      </defs>
      <rect width="120" height="120" stroke="purple" stroke-width="5" fill="pink" 
            filter="url(#filter)" /> 
       Sorry, your browser doesn't support inline SVG.
    </svg>
  </body>
</html>

To transform the colors in the offset image, use the <feColorMatrix> element.

Example of the<feColorMatrix> element:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Title of the document</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <svg height="200" width="200">
      <defs>
        <filter id="filter" x="0" y="0" width="150%" height="150%">
          <feOffset result="offOut" in="SourceGraphic" dx="25" dy="25" />
          <feColorMatrix result="matrixOut" in="offOut" type="matrix" 
                         values="0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0" />
          <feGaussianBlur result="blurOut" in="matrixOut" stdDeviation="9" />
          <feBlend in="SourceGraphic" in2="blurOut" mode="normal" />
        </filter>
      </defs>
      <rect width="150" height="150" stroke="purple" stroke-width="5" fill="lightblue" 
            filter="url(#filter)" /> 
       Sorry, your browser doesn't support inline SVG.
    </svg>
  </body>
</html>

Practice Your Knowledge

What does the 'SVG Drop Shadows' article on W3Docs teach?

Quiz Time: Test Your Skills!

Ready to challenge what you've learned? Dive into our interactive quizzes for a deeper understanding and a fun way to reinforce your knowledge.

Do you find this helpful?