What is shields.io?
Shields.io provides customizable SVG badges for READMEs, covers CI, version, license, coverage, supports JSON endpoints, free and open source, GitHub-compatible, URL-based embeds.
Shields.io
What it is
Badges are the bumper stickers of code. Shields.io is the factory: a free, open-source service that cranks out consistent SVG badges for your README and dashboards—build status, test coverage, npm version, Docker pulls, license, you name it. It’s fast, cache-aware, and stylistically uniform, so your project doesn’t look like a ransom note.
How it works
Pick from hundreds of presets (GitHub, npm, PyPI, Docker, CI providers) or feed it JSON/XML/CSV to generate dynamic badges. Tweak text, color, logo, and style via URL params. Use their hosted endpoint or self-host if you like control. It leans on simple-icons, sensible defaults, and queryable endpoints that slot neatly into CI.
Why it matters
Shields turns status sprawl into quick, scannable signals. It reduces design bikeshedding, nudges transparency, and gives maintainers a single, dependable visual language across ecosystems.
The fine print
APIs fail, rate limits exist, and badge walls become noise fast. Pick the few that mean something—or you’re just decorating.
What features and use cases does shields.io offer?
- Customizable SVG status badges for READMEs and docs
- URL-based API generating real-time badges with CDN caching
- Dynamic badges from JSON, XML, YAML, or custom endpoint data
- Style controls: label text, colors, logos/icons, and multiple badge themes
- Communicate project metadata at a glance (build/test status, version, license, downloads, coverage, social)
- Easy embedding in GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket and static sites
- Open-source and self-hostable; extensible for custom integrations
- Interactive badge builder to compose and preview badge URLs
Prices
| Category | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Public badge service (img.shields.io) | free | Shared, publicly hosted badges; intended for general use, subject to fair-use limits. |
| Self-hosted | free | Open-source; run your own instance (you cover your own infrastructure costs). |
Prices may vary by region. We do not guarantee the accuracy of prices. For current information see: https://shields.io
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