How It Works
Glassmorphism relies on two core CSS properties working together. First, backdrop-filter: blur() applies a Gaussian blur to whatever sits behind the element, creating the frosted-glass effect. Second, a semi-transparent background usingrgba() lets the blurred content show through while tinting the surface. A subtle border with low opacity finishes the look by giving the glass panel a visible edge against the backdrop.
The generator above combines these properties and outputs clean CSS you can drop into any project. It includes the -webkit-backdrop-filter vendor prefix for Safari compatibility.
What Is Glassmorphism?
Glassmorphism is a UI design trend that mimics the look of frosted glass. Popularized by Apple's macOS Big Sur and Windows 11's Mica material, the style features translucent surfaces, layered depth, and soft blurred backgrounds. It works best on colorful or image-heavy backgrounds where the blur effect is visible and adds visual hierarchy without heavy drop shadows.
Unlike flat design, glassmorphism adds a sense of physical depth. Unlike skeuomorphism, it stays abstract and lightweight. The result is a modern, airy aesthetic that pairs well with both dark and light color schemes.
Browser Support
The key property is backdrop-filter. Support is strong across modern browsers, but older versions may need fallbacks.
| Browser | Version | Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | 76+ | Full | No prefix needed |
| Firefox | 103+ | Full | No prefix needed |
| Safari | 9+ | Full | Requires -webkit- prefix |
| Edge | 79+ | Full | Chromium-based, no prefix |
| Safari iOS | 9+ | Full | Requires -webkit- prefix |
| Samsung Internet | 12.0+ | Full | No prefix needed |
| IE 11 | --- | None | Not supported, use opaque fallback |
FAQ
Do I need the -webkit-backdrop-filter line?
Yes, for Safari compatibility. Safari (desktop and iOS) still requires the -webkit- prefix for backdrop-filter. The generated CSS includes both the standard and prefixed versions so it works everywhere.
What if backdrop-filter is not supported?
On browsers that don't support backdrop-filter (mainly IE 11), the element will display the semi-transparent background color without the blur. This is a graceful degradation — the UI still looks fine, just without the frosted-glass effect. You can add a solid fallback background using @supports not (backdrop-filter: blur(1px)).
Can I use glassmorphism with dark mode?
Absolutely. Glassmorphism works great on dark backgrounds. Set the glass color to a dark shade (like black or dark gray) with low opacity, and place it on a colorful or gradient background. The blur picks up the underlying colors and creates a rich, moody panel. Use the background picker above to test different dark combinations.
Does this affect performance?
backdrop-filtertriggers compositing and can be GPU-intensive, especially at large blur values or on complex layouts. For most use cases (cards, modals, navbars) it's fine. Avoid applying it to many overlapping elements simultaneously. Keep blur values reasonable (8-16px covers most designs).
Try the Color Converter to find the perfect glass tint color, or use the SVG to Data URI tool to create lightweight background patterns for your glassmorphism designs.