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CSS Outline Generator

API reference

Generate CSS outline and outline-offset — width, style, color and gap — with a live preview, plus a ready-made :focus-visible rule for accessible focus rings. Copy the CSS and HTML.

Input

Only used for the preview and HTML snippet.

Gap between the element's edge and the outline. Negative values draw the outline inside.

Modern browsers make the outline follow the corners.

Scopes the rule to keyboard focus, the recommended pattern for focus rings.

Output

Your outlined box will appear here.

outline declarations
CSS
HTML
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More ways to use this tool

REST API

curl -X POST https://api.iotools.cloud/v1/tool/css-outline-generator \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{}'

Swap in your own key from your account. The tool's fields are the body — no wrapper.

Ask an AI agent

Use the IOTools `css-outline-generator` tool (CSS Outline Generator) on this input:

YOUR_INPUT_HERE

Paste this at any agent connected to the IOTools MCP server, then add your input.

Embed widget

<iframe
  src="https://iotools.cloud/embed/css-outline-generator/"
  width="100%" height="520" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" loading="lazy"
  title="CSS Outline Generator — iotools.cloud"
  sandbox="allow-scripts allow-forms allow-same-origin allow-downloads allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"
  allow="clipboard-write"
  style="width:100%;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden"></iframe>
<script src="https://iotools.cloud/embed.js" async></script>

Drop this into your own page — free, no key required, just a link back.

Cost per API/MCP callFrom 5 credits
Need more credits?View pricing

Also available with

IntegrationsBrowser extensionVS Code extension

Guides

The CSS outline property draws a line around an element without changing its size or pushing neighbors around, which makes it different from border. It is the foundation of keyboard focus rings. This generator lets you tune width, style, color and outline-offset against a live preview, then copy the CSS.

How to use it

  1. Set the width, style and color. Eight styles are available: solid, dashed, dotted, double, groove, ridge, inset and outset.
  2. Adjust the offset. outline-offset sets the gap between the element and the line. A negative value draws the outline inside the element's edge.
  3. Pick a corner radius. Current browsers make the outline follow rounded corners.
  4. Turn on "Show only on :focus-visible" to get a rule that appears for keyboard focus only, the pattern recommended for focus rings.
  5. Copy the output: the declarations, a full CSS rule and a matching HTML snippet.

Outline vs. border

  • An outline takes no layout space, so changing it never shifts the page.
  • Outlines can be offset away from the element; borders cannot.
  • Outlines are always the same on all sides, and they follow border-radius in modern browsers.

Accessibility tips

  • Never write outline: none without a visible replacement. Keyboard users rely on the focus ring.
  • Aim for a 3:1 contrast ratio between the outline color and the surrounding background.
  • A 2–3px outline with a 2px offset is a clear, widely used default.

For decorative frames, try the CSS Border Style Generator. For soft glows, see the CSS Box Shadow Generator.

Privacy

Everything runs in your browser. Your settings are never uploaded.

outlineoutline-offsetfocus ringfocus-visiblecss outlineaccessibilityborder alternative

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