Skeleton loading screen examples

A skeleton screen shows the shape of content while it loads, so a page feels responsive rather than blank. Our examples render the task list and stat cards as shimmering placeholders while the real app shell, page title and actions stay visible, giving you a loading state to study across eight visual styles for web and mobile, light and dark. Every example is an original design that comes with its HTML code and a DESIGN.md of colour, type and spacing tokens, in light and dark. Free to use and adapt.

DeviceAll Web Mobile

StyleAll Minimal Editorial Brutalist Luxury Playful Corporate Retro Monochrome

Theme

16 examples

Web · minimal

Web · editorial

Web · brutalist

Web · luxury

Web · playful

Web · corporate

Web · retro

Web · monochrome

Mobile · minimal

Mobile · editorial

Mobile · brutalist

Mobile · luxury

Mobile · playful

Mobile · corporate

Mobile · retro

Mobile · monochrome

Loading skeleton design tips

Match placeholder shapes to the real layout, including line lengths and avatar sizes, so the page does not shift when content arrives.
Keep navigation, titles and known actions fully rendered, and use skeletons only for the parts still waiting on data.
Use a slow, subtle shimmer and turn it off for people who have enabled reduced motion in their system settings.
Announce loading to screen readers with an aria-busy state or a hidden status message, because skeletons are invisible to them.

Questions

Skeleton screen or spinner: which is better?

Skeleton screens suit content areas with a predictable layout, such as lists, cards and profiles, because they show what is coming and reduce layout shift. Spinners suit short, indeterminate actions like saving or submitting. For very fast loads, showing nothing for a moment avoids a distracting flash.

How long should a skeleton screen show?

Only as long as the data takes to arrive. If loading routinely takes several seconds, add a progress message or load content in parts so people see something real sooner. If a request fails, replace the skeleton with a clear error and retry option.

Should skeleton screens animate?

A gentle shimmer or pulse signals that something is happening and is common practice. Keep it slow and low in contrast so it does not distract, and respect the prefers-reduced-motion setting by showing static placeholders for people who have asked for less motion.

Browse by pattern

App screens

Dashboard
Data table
Analytics charts
Login
Sign up
Forgot password
Two-factor code
Welcome
Onboarding step
Permissions request
Home
Feed
List view
Detail view
Kanban board
Calendar
File manager
Search results
Editor toolbar
AI chat assistant
Chat list
Chat thread
Video call
Image viewer
Map view
Video player
Create post
Class schedule
Booking details
Booking confirmed
Product detail
Cart
Checkout
Order confirmation
Settings
Profile
Notifications center
Team members
Roles permissions
Audit log
API keys
Integrations
Billing plans
Invoice
Paywall upgrade
Cancel subscription
Empty state
404 error
Loading skeleton
Success confirmation
AI workspace
AI settings
Version history
Approval queue
Doctor directory
Telehealth visit
Clinic home
Music player
Playlist
Portfolio home
Case study
Security dashboard
Project tracker
Course dashboard
Multi-step form wizard
Bank onboarding
Product scan
Split view (master-detail)
Canvas editor
Floor plan
Voice call
Toast / snackbar with undo
Confirm dialog (destructive)
Side drawer
Command palette
Date range picker
Form validation errors
Sign-in error
Card declined at checkout
Find a pro (home services)
Book a home-service visit
Job tracker
Account email
Order email
Shift scheduler
Leave calendar
Time-off request
Multi-location operations dashboard
Inventory stock
Savings goal
Onboarding carousel

UI components

Tabs
Cards
Pagination
Popover
Tooltip
Dropdown menu
Accordion
Radio buttons
Breadcrumbs
Toggle switch
Stepper
Sidebar navigation
Loading spinner

Website sections

Website templates

Building with an AI coding agent? Every screen here is also in the free Made Good Designs MCP server: ask Claude, Cursor or ChatGPT to search_ui_screens (e.g. “billing settings, editorial style”), get_ui_flow for a whole journey, and get_ui_screen_code to pull the HTML and DESIGN.md straight into your project.