# shadcn/ui — Design Style Reference

> **Unofficial, community-authored reference.** Compiled by [designsystems.one](https://www.designsystems.one). Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by shadcn. "shadcn/ui" and related marks belong to their respective owners. This document describes publicly observable style attributes in original words — it contains no copied documentation, logos, icon artwork, or original token files. Always defer to the official source for canonical, current values.

**System:** shadcn/ui
**Owner:** shadcn
**Official documentation:** https://ui.shadcn.com/
**Visual character:** Achromatic zinc minimalism you own outright — near-black actions, hairline borders, and taste as the default theme.

---

## Summary

Not a library — a registry of components you copy and own.

_Confidence: high. Values are drawn from well-documented public token references._

## Color tokens

| Color | Value | CSS variable | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Background | `#ffffff` | `--background` | Page background (light, zinc default) |
| Foreground | `#09090b` | `--foreground` | Primary text |
| Primary | `#18181b` | `--primary` | Primary action fill (near-black) |
| Muted | `#f4f4f5` | `--muted` | Muted surfaces |
| Muted Foreground | `#71717a` | `--muted-foreground` | Secondary text |
| Border | `#e4e4e7` | `--border` | Borders and inputs |
| Destructive | `#ef4444` | `--destructive` | Destructive actions |
| Ring | `#a1a1aa` | `--ring` | Focus ring |

## Typography

- **Body:** Geist / Inter (project-defined) — weights 400, 500, 600, 700 — `var(--font-sans), ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif`
- **Mono:** Geist Mono — weights 400 — `var(--font-mono), ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, monospace`

## Type scale

| Step | Size | Line height |
| --- | --- | --- |
| h1 | `36px` | `40px` |
| h2 | `30px` | `36px` |
| h3 | `24px` | `32px` |
| p | `16px` | `28px` |
| small | `14px` | `20px` |

## Spacing

Base unit: `4px (Tailwind scale)`

Scale: `4px` · `8px` · `12px` · `16px` · `24px` · `32px` · `48px`

## Corner radius

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| radius (default) | `0.5rem` |
| sm | `calc(0.5rem - 4px)` |
| full | `9999px` |

## Elevation / shadows

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| sm | `0 1px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.05)` |
| md | `0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0,0,0,0.1), 0 2px 4px -2px rgba(0,0,0,0.1)` |

## Motion

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| default | `150ms cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)` |

## Quick start (CSS)

```css
/* shadcn/ui — illustrative tokens, restated as CSS custom properties.
   Unofficial reference by designsystems.one; values are indicative, not
   canonical. Official reference: https://ui.shadcn.com/ */

:root {
  /* Color */
  --background: #ffffff; /* Page background (light, zinc default) */
  --foreground: #09090b; /* Primary text */
  --primary: #18181b; /* Primary action fill (near-black) */
  --muted: #f4f4f5; /* Muted surfaces */
  --muted-foreground: #71717a; /* Secondary text */
  --border: #e4e4e7; /* Borders and inputs */
  --destructive: #ef4444; /* Destructive actions */
  --ring: #a1a1aa; /* Focus ring */

  /* Typography */
  --font-body: var(--font-sans), ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-mono: var(--font-mono), ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, monospace;

  /* Type scale */
  --text-h1: 36px /* line-height 40px */;
  --text-h2: 30px /* line-height 36px */;
  --text-h3: 24px /* line-height 32px */;
  --text-p: 16px /* line-height 28px */;
  --text-small: 14px /* line-height 20px */;

  /* Spacing */
  --space-1: 4px;
  --space-2: 8px;
  --space-3: 12px;
  --space-4: 16px;
  --space-5: 24px;
  --space-6: 32px;
  --space-7: 48px;

  /* Radius */
  --radius-radius-default-: 0.5rem;
  --radius-sm: calc(0.5rem - 4px);
  --radius-full: 9999px;

  /* Elevation */
  --shadow-sm: 0 1px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
  --shadow-md: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0,0,0,0.1), 0 2px 4px -2px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);

  /* Motion */
  --motion-default: 150ms cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
}
```

## Origin

shadcn launched in late 2023 as a deliberately anti-library design system: components are not installed as a dependency but copied into your codebase via a CLI. The model became the de facto starter for new React + Tailwind + Radix projects in 2024–2026.

## Governance

Single-maintainer-led, open source, MIT. Community contributions plus a growing registry ecosystem (other authors publish shadcn-compatible component sets).

## Known for

- The copy-not-install model — your team owns every line, can edit it, and isn't blocked by upstream releases.
- Built on Radix primitives + Tailwind, so accessibility comes free and theming is token-driven.
- The registry format — every shadcn component has a JSON manifest that AI agents can consume directly.

## Underrated

- The registry isn't shadcn-only. Any team can ship a shadcn-compatible registry at their own URL, and `npx shadcn add` will install from it.
- Theming via CSS variables + Tailwind makes shadcn one of the cleanest substrates for an internal design system.

## Watch out for

- Because components are copied, version drift across a large team is real. Establish a refresh cadence.
- Composition over configuration is great until your team is unfamiliar with composition. Budget for onboarding.

## Components worth studying

- **Button** — The most-imitated button API in modern React; clean variant model.
- **Dialog** — Radix-backed modal with focus trap, escape, and overlay correctness.
- **Form** — react-hook-form integration with Zod schemas — the reference modern form pattern.

## When to choose shadcn/ui

Pick shadcn/ui as a starting point for any new React + Tailwind project where you want a clean substrate to build your own design system on top of. It's not an end-state design system — it's the best public starting kit.

## Apply this style with an AI tool

Paste this into your AI coding assistant as a direction, then iterate:

> Design in the spirit of shadcn/ui by shadcn — Not a library — a registry of components you copy and own. Character: Achromatic zinc minimalism you own outright — near-black actions, hairline borders, and taste as the default theme. Use a primary colour near #09090b, the typeface "Geist / Inter (project-defined)" (or a close equivalent), corner radius around 0.5rem, a spacing rhythm on a 4px (Tailwind scale) base. Lean into what it's known for: The copy-not-install model — your team owns every line, can edit it, and isn't blocked by upstream releases. Match the intent, not the pixels; adapt it to my product rather than cloning it.

## Official references

- [shadcn/ui docs](https://ui.shadcn.com/)
- [shadcn on GitHub](https://github.com/shadcn-ui/ui)
- [Registry format](https://ui.shadcn.com/docs/registry)

---

_Generated by [designsystems.one](https://www.designsystems.one/design-systems/shadcn-ui) — a catalogue of public design systems. Style facts are reported for reference and education; adapt them to your own product. Report issues or takedown requests via the site._