Skeleton

Show users that content is being loaded

What it solves

A Skeleton pattern helps teams create a reliable way to preserve the shape of the final interface during loading so the page feels stable and easier to scan. It is most useful when teams need content feeds and card grids. Compared with adjacent patterns, this pattern should reduce friction without hiding the state, rules, or recovery paths people need to keep moving.

When to use

• Content feeds and card grids
• Dashboards with known layout
• Loading states where reducing layout shift matters

When to avoid