SkeletonLoader [pattern] v1.0.0

Placeholder shapes (gray bars, rectangles, circles) that mimic the final content layout while data is loading. Reduces perceived wait time and prevents layout shift compared to spinners or empty space.

Facts

Label

Skeleton Loader

Problem

Spinners give no indication of what is loading or how complex it is. Empty space causes layout shift when content arrives. Users perceive longer waits when nothing visual hints at progress.

Solution

Render placeholder rectangles matching the final content's outer dimensions: heading bars, paragraph lines, avatar circles, image rectangles. Animate with a subtle shimmer to signal 'in progress'.

Structure

    <article aria-busy="true" aria-label="Loading article">
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-img" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-h1" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-meta" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-line" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-line" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-line skeleton-short" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <span class="sr-only">Loading article, please wait</span>
    </article>
  

Uses

• @community/method-heuristic-review

Behavior

• Skeleton dimensions must match the eventual content footprint to avoid layout shift on swap.
• Apply a shimmer animation (linear-gradient sweeping across at 1.5s loop) — but disable when prefers-reduced-motion: reduce.
• Use a neutral background (e.g., 4% / 8% surface) so skeletons recede behind any UI chrome.
• Show skeletons only after a 200ms initial delay — if data returns faster, skip skeleton entirely to avoid flash.
• Cap skeleton display at 6-8 seconds; if data has not arrived, switch to an explicit error or 'Still loading...' message.
• Match skeleton count and shape to expected content: 5 list rows = 5 skeleton rows, not a spinner.

A11y

• Mark the parent container with aria-busy='true' so screen readers know the region is updating.
• Skeleton shapes themselves have aria-hidden='true' (they are decorative).
• Provide a screen-reader-only message: 'Loading , please wait'.
• Honor prefers-reduced-motion: reduce by replacing shimmer with a static neutral fill.
• Once content loads, remove aria-busy and announce completion via aria-live if the load was significant.

SkeletonLoader [pattern] v1.0.0

Placeholder shapes (gray bars, rectangles, circles) that mimic the final content layout while data is loading. Reduces perceived wait time and prevents layout shift compared to spinners or empty space.

Facts

Label

Skeleton Loader

Problem

Spinners give no indication of what is loading or how complex it is. Empty space causes layout shift when content arrives. Users perceive longer waits when nothing visual hints at progress.

Solution

Render placeholder rectangles matching the final content's outer dimensions: heading bars, paragraph lines, avatar circles, image rectangles. Animate with a subtle shimmer to signal 'in progress'.

Structure

    <article aria-busy="true" aria-label="Loading article">
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-img" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-h1" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-meta" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-line" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-line" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-line skeleton-short" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <span class="sr-only">Loading article, please wait</span>
    </article>
  

Uses

• @community/method-heuristic-review

Behavior

• Skeleton dimensions must match the eventual content footprint to avoid layout shift on swap.
• Apply a shimmer animation (linear-gradient sweeping across at 1.5s loop) — but disable when prefers-reduced-motion: reduce.
• Use a neutral background (e.g., 4% / 8% surface) so skeletons recede behind any UI chrome.
• Show skeletons only after a 200ms initial delay — if data returns faster, skip skeleton entirely to avoid flash.
• Cap skeleton display at 6-8 seconds; if data has not arrived, switch to an explicit error or 'Still loading...' message.
• Match skeleton count and shape to expected content: 5 list rows = 5 skeleton rows, not a spinner.

A11y

• Mark the parent container with aria-busy='true' so screen readers know the region is updating.
• Skeleton shapes themselves have aria-hidden='true' (they are decorative).
• Provide a screen-reader-only message: 'Loading , please wait'.
• Honor prefers-reduced-motion: reduce by replacing shimmer with a static neutral fill.
• Once content loads, remove aria-busy and announce completion via aria-live if the load was significant.

Examples

• @community/example-linear-skeleton
• @community/example-youtube-skeleton
• @community/example-vercel-dashboard-skeleton

Label

Skeleton Loader

Problem

Spinners give no indication of what is loading or how complex it is. Empty space causes layout shift when content arrives. Users perceive longer waits when nothing visual hints at progress.

Solution

Render placeholder rectangles matching the final content's outer dimensions: heading bars, paragraph lines, avatar circles, image rectangles. Animate with a subtle shimmer to signal 'in progress'.

Structure

    <article aria-busy="true" aria-label="Loading article">
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-img" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-h1" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-meta" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-line" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-line" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <div class="skeleton skeleton-line skeleton-short" aria-hidden="true"></div>
      <span class="sr-only">Loading article, please wait</span>
    </article>
  

Uses

• @community/method-heuristic-review

Behavior

• Skeleton dimensions must match the eventual content footprint to avoid layout shift on swap.
• Apply a shimmer animation (linear-gradient sweeping across at 1.5s loop) — but disable when prefers-reduced-motion: reduce.
• Use a neutral background (e.g., 4% / 8% surface) so skeletons recede behind any UI chrome.
• Show skeletons only after a 200ms initial delay — if data returns faster, skip skeleton entirely to avoid flash.
• Cap skeleton display at 6-8 seconds; if data has not arrived, switch to an explicit error or 'Still loading...' message.
• Match skeleton count and shape to expected content: 5 list rows = 5 skeleton rows, not a spinner.

A11y

• Mark the parent container with aria-busy='true' so screen readers know the region is updating.
• Skeleton shapes themselves have aria-hidden='true' (they are decorative).
• Provide a screen-reader-only message: 'Loading , please wait'.
• Honor prefers-reduced-motion: reduce by replacing shimmer with a static neutral fill.
• Once content loads, remove aria-busy and announce completion via aria-live if the load was significant.

Compatible

• @community/pattern-dashboard-grid
• @community/pattern-empty-state