Glassmorphism UI Generator

What Is Glassmorphism in UI Design?

Glassmorphism is a UI design trend that mimics frosted or translucent glass. It combines a semi-transparent background—typically using rgba() or hsla()—with backdrop-filter: blur() so that content behind the element shows through softly. A thin light or dark border often defines the edge, giving a glass-like rim. Popularized by Apple's iOS 7 and macOS Big Sur, glassmorphism adds depth and hierarchy without heavy shadows or solid panels.

The effect works best on cards, modals, sidebars, and overlays. Designers use it to create visual separation while keeping the interface light and modern. Key ingredients: transparency (low alpha on the background), blur (backdrop-filter), and a subtle border for contrast against varied backgrounds.

How Glassmorphism Works in CSS

The effect relies on two main CSS features: semi-transparent backgrounds and backdrop filters. When you set background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2), the element lets the background bleed through. The backdrop-filter property then blurs that underlying content before it reaches the viewer, creating the frosted look. Without a colorful or textured background behind the glass, the effect is subtle or invisible—so gradients, images, or patterns are essential.

Glassmorphism CSS Example

A minimal implementation uses a class with background, backdrop-filter (plus -webkit-backdrop-filter for Safari), border-radius, and a light border. The -webkit- prefix is still recommended for older WebKit browsers. Pair this with a gradient or image behind the element for the full effect.

Best Backgrounds for Glassmorphism

Flat solid colors (e.g., #f5f5f5) barely show the blur. Use gradients (linear-gradient, radial-gradient), photos, or patterns so the glass panel has something to blur. For light glass, darker or more saturated backgrounds increase contrast. For dark glass, light or colorful backgrounds work well. Pair glass panels with our CSS Gradient Generator or a Box Shadow Generator for cohesive styling.

Accessibility & Readability Tips

Glassmorphism can hurt readability if text sits on a busy or low-contrast background. Ensure foreground text meets WCAG 2.1 contrast requirements (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large). Use a solid overlay behind critical text, increase font weight, or add a text shadow. Avoid placing small body text directly on frosted areas over complex imagery. Provide a prefers-reduced-motion override if blur causes issues for users sensitive to motion.

Browser Support & Fallbacks

backdrop-filter is supported in all modern Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Use @supports (backdrop-filter: blur(1px)) or -webkit-backdrop-filter for older Safari. In unsupported browsers, the panel will show as a solid translucent box without blur—still usable, but less visually striking. Consider a slightly more opaque fallback background for legibility when blur is absent.

Glassmorphism vs Neumorphism

Glassmorphism uses transparency and blur; neumorphism uses soft shadows to create extruded or inset shapes. Neumorphism relies on box-shadow with light and dark offsets on a similar-toned background. Glassmorphism needs a contrasting or textured background and works well with gradients. Use glass for overlays and modals; use neumorphism for cards and buttons when you want a soft, tactile feel. Both benefit from our Border Radius Generator for rounded corners.

Common Glassmorphism Mistakes

Using too little blur (under 8px) makes the effect barely visible; too much (over 30px) can look muddy. Skipping -webkit-backdrop-filter breaks older Safari. Placing glass on flat gray or white backgrounds wastes the effect. Ignoring contrast leads to illegible text. Applying glass to large full-page areas can feel overwhelming—use it for focused UI chunks like cards and modals instead.