diff --git a/render-wasm/src/render.rs b/render-wasm/src/render.rs
index 5b47c8bce2..9072be3f08 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/render.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/render.rs
@@ -764,6 +764,13 @@ impl RenderState {
         Self::union_stroke_outset(base, stroke_outset)
     }
 
+    /// Fill ∪ outer stroke outline in shape-local space: the area a drop
+    /// shadow must not show under (vector, SVG).
+    pub(crate) fn drop_shadow_clear_path(shape: &Shape) -> skia::Path {
+        let stroke_outset = Stroke::max_bounds_width(shape.visible_strokes(), shape.is_open());
+        Self::background_blur_clip_path(shape, stroke_outset)
+    }
+
     /// Unions a centered stroke of width `2 * stroke_outset` into `base`.
     /// The inward half disappears in the union, leaving `stroke_outset` beyond
     /// the fill outline.
@@ -3431,20 +3438,11 @@ impl RenderState {
             return self.render_masked_group_silhouette(shape, clip_bounds, pass);
         }
 
-        let flat = Shadow::new(
-            skia::Color::BLACK,
-            0.0,
-            0.0,
-            (0.0, 0.0),
-            crate::shapes::ShadowStyle::Drop,
-            false,
-        );
-
         self.render_drop_black_shadow(
             shape,
             pass.tree,
             &shape.extrect(pass.tree, pass.scale),
-            &flat,
+            &Shadow::silhouette(),
             clip_bounds.clone(),
             pass.scale,
             pass.extra_layer_blur,
@@ -3649,7 +3647,19 @@ impl RenderState {
         // High zoom with blur: use render_into_filter_surface to ensure blur has enough space
         // Apply spread geometrically to avoid dilate filter rounding issues
         let layer_blur_value = combined_blur.map(|b| b.value).unwrap_or(0.0);
-        let cache_key = clip_bounds.is_none().then(|| {
+
+        // Only the part that can blur into this tile matters. A shadow bigger
+        // than the filter surface would otherwise be cut at MIN_FIT_SCALE.
+        let mut filter_bounds = bounds;
+        if target_surface != SurfaceId::Export {
+            let reach = 2.0 * (shadow.blur + layer_blur_value) + 1.0;
+            let tile_reach = self.render_area_with_margins.with_outset((reach, reach));
+            if !filter_bounds.intersect(tile_reach) {
+                return Ok(());
+            }
+        }
+
+        let cache_key = (clip_bounds.is_none() && filter_bounds == bounds).then(|| {
             shadows::DropShadowFilterCacheKey::for_shape(
                 shape.id,
                 shadow,
@@ -3682,7 +3692,7 @@ impl RenderState {
         // Apply spread geometrically to avoid dilate filter rounding issues
         let filter_result = filters::render_into_filter_surface(
             self,
-            bounds,
+            filter_bounds,
             blur_downscale,
             |state, temp_surface| {
                 let canvas = state.surfaces.canvas(temp_surface);
@@ -3712,7 +3722,8 @@ impl RenderState {
         )?;
 
         if let Some((mut surface, filter_scale)) = filter_result {
-            let cached = shadows::CachedDropShadowFilter::new(bounds, filter_scale, &mut surface);
+            let cached =
+                shadows::CachedDropShadowFilter::new(filter_bounds, filter_scale, &mut surface);
             shadows::blit_cached_drop_shadow_filter(
                 &mut self.surfaces,
                 &cached,
@@ -3819,6 +3830,27 @@ impl RenderState {
                 .canvas(SurfaceId::DropShadows)
                 .draw_paint(&paint);
 
+            // Like CSS box-shadow, the shadow never shows under the shape.
+            if element.clears_drop_shadow_underneath() {
+                let mut paint = skia::Paint::default();
+                paint.set_blend_mode(skia::BlendMode::DstOut);
+                let layer_rec = skia::canvas::SaveLayerRec::default().paint(&paint);
+                self.surfaces
+                    .canvas(SurfaceId::DropShadows)
+                    .save_layer(&layer_rec);
+                self.render_drop_black_shadow(
+                    element,
+                    tree,
+                    element_extrect,
+                    &Shadow::silhouette(),
+                    clip_bounds.clone(),
+                    scale,
+                    None,
+                    target_surface,
+                )?;
+                self.surfaces.canvas(SurfaceId::DropShadows).restore();
+            }
+
             self.surfaces.canvas(SurfaceId::DropShadows).restore();
         }
 
diff --git a/render-wasm/src/render/svg/document.rs b/render-wasm/src/render/svg/document.rs
index 1fbdd11615..703308c19e 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/render/svg/document.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/render/svg/document.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use crate::shapes::{radius_to_sigma, Fill, Shadow, Shape, Type};
 use crate::state::ShapesPoolRef;
 
 use crate::render::vector::draw_shape_geometry;
+use crate::render::RenderState;
 
 // Skia's SVG backend (`SkSVGDevice`) silently drops everything drawn inside a
 // `save_layer`, so composite effects rendered with `save_layer` (opacity,
@@ -222,6 +223,35 @@ impl SvgLayerCanvas {
         self.finish_clip_path_fragment(id, canvas);
     }
 
+    /// Opens a group whose mask hides `element`'s outline, so its drop shadows
+    /// never show under it (CSS `box-shadow`). Returns whether it opened one.
+    pub(super) fn open_drop_shadow_clear_group(&mut self, element: &Shape) -> bool {
+        if !element.clears_drop_shadow_underneath() {
+            return false;
+        }
+        let id = self.unique("dsmask");
+        let canvas = self.new_fragment();
+        {
+            let cv: &skia::Canvas = &canvas;
+            let mut paint = Paint::default();
+            paint.set_color(skia::Color::WHITE);
+            cv.save();
+            cv.reset_matrix();
+            cv.draw_rect(
+                skia::Rect::from_wh(self.page_rect.width(), self.page_rect.height()),
+                &paint,
+            );
+            cv.restore();
+            paint.set_anti_alias(true);
+            paint.set_color(skia::Color::BLACK);
+            cv.concat(&element.centered_transform());
+            cv.draw_path(&RenderState::drop_shadow_clear_path(element), &paint);
+        }
+        self.finish_mask_fragment(&id, canvas);
+        self.open_group(&format!("mask=\"url(#{id})\""));
+        true
+    }
+
     /// Finalizes a fragment canvas as a `<clipPath>` def.
     ///
     /// Rewrite fill-rule to clip-rule: clipPaths ignore fill-rule, so evenodd
diff --git a/render-wasm/src/render/svg/frames.rs b/render-wasm/src/render/svg/frames.rs
index fa3bb808f6..de51c6abaf 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/render/svg/frames.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/render/svg/frames.rs
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ pub(super) fn render_frame(
     // (GPU), filter only blurs/tints — keeps stroke-ring width and rotation.
     if !builder.suppress_filters {
         let drops: Vec<Shadow> = element.drop_shadows_visible().copied().collect();
+        let cleared = !drops.is_empty() && builder.open_drop_shadow_clear_group(element);
         for shadow in &drops {
             let id = push_container_drop_filter(builder, shadow);
             builder.open_group(&format!("filter=\"url(#{id})\""));
@@ -49,6 +50,9 @@ pub(super) fn render_frame(
             builder.suppress_filters = prev_suppress;
             builder.close_group();
         }
+        if cleared {
+            builder.close_group();
+        }
     }
 
     let effects = content_effect_attrs(builder, element);
diff --git a/render-wasm/src/render/svg/mod.rs b/render-wasm/src/render/svg/mod.rs
index 997a68e71c..fee187db54 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/render/svg/mod.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/render/svg/mod.rs
@@ -298,6 +298,7 @@ fn render_leaf(
     // feMorphology rounding on circles). Filter only blurs/tints.
     if !builder.suppress_filters {
         let drops: Vec<Shadow> = element.drop_shadows_visible().copied().collect();
+        let cleared = !drops.is_empty() && builder.open_drop_shadow_clear_group(element);
         for shadow in &drops {
             let id = push_container_drop_filter(builder, shadow);
             builder.open_group(&format!("filter=\"url(#{id})\""));
@@ -313,6 +314,9 @@ fn render_leaf(
             builder.suppress_filters = prev_suppress;
             builder.close_group();
         }
+        if cleared {
+            builder.close_group();
+        }
     }
 
     let effects = content_effect_attrs(builder, element);
diff --git a/render-wasm/src/render/svg/tests.rs b/render-wasm/src/render/svg/tests.rs
index 490d5ef27a..2212371f1e 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/render/svg/tests.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/render/svg/tests.rs
@@ -577,6 +577,43 @@ fn exports_leaf_drop_shadow_as_svg_filter() {
     insta::assert_snapshot!(svg);
 }
 
+fn render_rect_with_drop_shadow(fill: skia::Color) -> String {
+    let mut pool = ShapesPool::new();
+    let id = uid(1);
+    add_solid_rect(&mut pool, id, Uuid::nil(), (0.0, 0.0, 100.0, 80.0), fill);
+    pool.get_mut(&id).unwrap().add_shadow(Shadow::new(
+        skia::Color::BLACK,
+        8.0,
+        0.0,
+        (4.0, 6.0),
+        ShadowStyle::Drop,
+        false,
+    ));
+    render(&pool, id)
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn translucent_leaf_hides_drop_shadow_underneath() {
+    let svg = render_rect_with_drop_shadow(skia::Color::from_argb(100, 255, 0, 0));
+    let mask_at = svg
+        .find("mask=\"url(#dsmask")
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| panic!("drop shadow must be masked under a translucent fill: {svg}"));
+    let filter_at = svg.find("filter=\"url(#fx").expect("drop filter");
+    assert!(
+        mask_at < filter_at,
+        "the mask must wrap the drop shadow group: {svg}"
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn opaque_leaf_keeps_drop_shadow_unmasked() {
+    let svg = render_rect_with_drop_shadow(skia::Color::from_rgb(255, 0, 0));
+    assert!(
+        !svg.contains("dsmask"),
+        "an opaque fill hides the shadow already: {svg}"
+    );
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn leaf_drop_offset_follows_rotation_in_user_space() {
     let mut pool = ShapesPool::new();
diff --git a/render-wasm/src/render/vector.rs b/render-wasm/src/render/vector.rs
index 5bb8c4795f..9dbc5651a5 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/render/vector.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/render/vector.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use std::borrow::Cow;
 
-use skia_safe::{self as skia, Canvas, Paint, RRect};
+use skia_safe::{self as skia, Canvas, Matrix, Paint, RRect};
 
 use crate::error::Result;
 use crate::shapes::{
@@ -129,6 +129,8 @@ impl ShapeRenderer for VectorRenderer<'_> {
 
     fn draw_drop_shadows(&mut self, shape: &Shape) -> Result<()> {
         let layer_bounds = shape.layer_bounds();
+        self.canvas.save();
+        clip_out_drop_shadow_underneath(self.canvas, shape, &Matrix::default());
         for shadow in shape.drop_shadows_visible() {
             if let Some(filter) = shadow.get_drop_shadow_blur_filter() {
                 let mut paint = Paint::default();
@@ -150,6 +152,7 @@ impl ShapeRenderer for VectorRenderer<'_> {
                 self.canvas.restore();
             }
         }
+        self.canvas.restore();
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -1026,6 +1029,8 @@ fn render_container_drop_shadows(
     opts: &TreeOpts,
 ) -> Result<()> {
     let subtree_bounds = element.extrect(tree, scale);
+    canvas.save();
+    clip_out_drop_shadow_underneath(canvas, element, &element.centered_transform());
     for shadow in element.drop_shadows_visible() {
         let Some(filter) = shadow.get_drop_shadow_blur_filter() else {
             continue;
@@ -1064,9 +1069,19 @@ fn render_container_drop_shadows(
 
         canvas.restore();
     }
+    canvas.restore();
     Ok(())
 }
 
+/// Like CSS `box-shadow`, a drop shadow never shows under its shape.
+/// `local_to_canvas` maps shape-local space to the current canvas space.
+fn clip_out_drop_shadow_underneath(canvas: &Canvas, shape: &Shape, local_to_canvas: &Matrix) {
+    if shape.clears_drop_shadow_underneath() {
+        let path = RenderState::drop_shadow_clear_path(shape).make_transform(local_to_canvas);
+        canvas.clip_path(&path, skia::ClipOp::Difference, true);
+    }
+}
+
 /// `shape` grown by a drop-shadow `spread` for its silhouette, through its own
 /// strokes and joins (as the GPU does for paths). Empty frames and containers
 /// have no outline of their own to grow.
diff --git a/render-wasm/src/shapes.rs b/render-wasm/src/shapes.rs
index 6a157a1c13..5802f9f6fb 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/shapes.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/shapes.rs
@@ -1497,6 +1497,12 @@ impl Shape {
             .filter(|shadow| shadow.style() == ShadowStyle::Drop && !shadow.hidden())
     }
 
+    pub fn clears_drop_shadow_underneath(&self) -> bool {
+        !matches!(self.shape_type, Type::Text(_))
+            && self.has_fills()
+            && !self.fills.iter().any(Fill::is_opaque)
+    }
+
     #[allow(dead_code)]
     pub fn inner_shadows(&self) -> impl DoubleEndedIterator<Item = &Shadow> {
         self.shadows
diff --git a/render-wasm/src/shapes/fills.rs b/render-wasm/src/shapes/fills.rs
index 15afbbbba7..525d848b7b 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/shapes/fills.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/shapes/fills.rs
@@ -264,6 +264,16 @@ impl Fill {
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn is_opaque(&self) -> bool {
+        match self {
+            Fill::Solid(SolidColor(color)) => color.a() == 255,
+            Fill::LinearGradient(g) | Fill::RadialGradient(g) => {
+                g.opacity == 255 && g.colors.iter().all(|c| c.a() == 255)
+            }
+            Fill::Image(i) => i.opacity == 255,
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn with_full_opacity(&self) -> Fill {
         match self {
             Fill::Solid(SolidColor(color)) => Fill::Solid(SolidColor(skia::Color::from_argb(
diff --git a/render-wasm/src/shapes/shadows.rs b/render-wasm/src/shapes/shadows.rs
index 0a11dfdceb..d0e2864e9f 100644
--- a/render-wasm/src/shapes/shadows.rs
+++ b/render-wasm/src/shapes/shadows.rs
@@ -60,6 +60,18 @@ impl Shadow {
         self.hidden
     }
 
+    /// The bare shape silhouette: no offset, blur or spread.
+    pub fn silhouette() -> Self {
+        Self::new(
+            skia::Color::BLACK,
+            0.0,
+            0.0,
+            (0.0, 0.0),
+            ShadowStyle::Drop,
+            false,
+        )
+    }
+
     /// Approximate on-screen footprint (blur/spread + offset) at `scale` (zoom×dpr).
     #[inline]
     pub fn device_extent(&self, scale: f32) -> f32 {