Z-Index Manager

The Z-Index Manager is an interactive tool designed to help developers understand and visualize CSS z-index stacking contexts. Z-index controls the vertical layering of overlapping elements on a webpage, determining which elements appear in front or behind others. This tool makes it easy to experiment with different z-index values, preview how layers stack visually, and generate the corresponding CSS code without guessing or trial-and-error.

To use the Z-Index Manager, start by adding or editing layers with custom names and z-index values in the left panel. The tool provides a real-time visual preview on the right showing how elements would stack based on their z-index numbers, along with a comparative bar chart illustrating the relative magnitude of each value. You can adjust layer names, colors, and z-index values dynamically, and export the final CSS rules directly to your clipboard for immediate use in your stylesheets.

This tool is especially valuable for frontend developers working with complex UI hierarchies, modal dialogs, dropdowns, tooltips, and overlay systems. Understanding stacking contexts prevents common z-index frustrations where elements don't layer as expected, such as when opacity, transforms, or filters inadvertently create new stacking contexts that isolate child elements from the overall z-order.