README Badge Generator (Shields.io-Style)

README Badge Generator

The README Badge Generator builds pixel-perfect Shields.io-style badges directly in your browser. Pick a preset or craft your own label and message, choose colors and a style (flat, flat-square, for-the-badge, or plastic), and get copy-ready Markdown, HTML, SVG, and data URL output. No external API calls, no network dependency, no broken badges when the service is down — the SVG is generated client-side and embedded inline.

How to Use

1. Pick a preset from the Template dropdown, or keep it on Custom and fill in your own label and message.
2. Choose a label color and a message color — preset Shields.io colors or a custom hex.
3. Select a badge style: flat, flat-square, for-the-badge, or plastic.
4. Watch the live preview update on both light and dark backgrounds.
5. Copy the Markdown, HTML, URL, or raw SVG — or download the SVG file.

Features

• Four badge styles – Flat, flat-square, for-the-badge (uppercase, taller), and plastic with gradient shading.
• Presets included – Version, license, build status, coverage, downloads, stars, and “made with love” templates.
• Live preview – Instant rendering with a light/dark background toggle so you can see how the badge sits in different README themes.
• Four output formats – Markdown, HTML img tag, SVG data URL, and raw SVG markup.
• Self-contained SVG – Text is rendered as real SVG text nodes with measured widths, drop shadows, and rounded corners where appropriate.
• Custom colors – Standard Shields.io palette plus free-form hex picker.
• 100% client-side – No API calls, no tracking, no rate limits. Works offline once the page has loaded.
• One-click copy and SVG download – Export a standalone .svg file to drop into any repo.

Common Use Cases

• Open-source READMEs – Signal build status, version, license, coverage, or download count at a glance.
• Project dashboards – Embed consistent status badges across internal wikis and docs sites.
• Portfolio sites – Decorate project cards with stylized tags without loading external image services.
• Marketing pages – Use “made with” and custom badges as lightweight accent graphics.
• Offline documentation – Ship badges that render even behind firewalls that block shields.io.

Why Generate Badges Locally

Remote badge services are convenient, but they add a network hop every time someone loads your README. When those services slow down, get rate-limited, or change their defaults, your badges silently break. A locally generated SVG is a single static file — it renders anywhere Markdown or HTML does, ships with your repo, and survives service outages. It also gives you full control over colors, spacing, and font weight, so badges can match a consistent visual style across an entire organization.