Shields

API

Generate concise, consistent badges for open source projects in SVG/raster format

Overview

Shields API offers RESTful endpoints to create customizable badges for open source projects. Users construct URLs with parameters (label, message, color, style) to define badge content and appearance. Supported formats include SVG (primary) and raster (PNG). Endpoints cover static badges (direct input) and dynamic badges (integrating data from GitHub, npm, PyPI, etc.). Ideal use cases: Adding build status, download counts, version numbers, or custom metrics to GitHub READMEs, documentation pages, or project websites.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://shields.io/')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful API
SVG & raster format support
Customizable via URL parameters
Dynamic data integration (GitHub, npm, etc.)
No authentication required

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Shields free to use?

Yes, Shields is completely free for personal and commercial use with no hidden costs.

? Does it require an API Key?

No, Shields API does not require any API key or authentication to access its endpoints.

? What is the response format?

The default response format is SVG, but raster formats like PNG are supported by appending .png to the endpoint URL.

Top Alternatives

Badgen API Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Open Source Projects

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ No API key needed
⊕ Easy URL-based integration
⊕ Wide range of pre-built badge types
⊕ Open source project

Cons

⊖ Rate limits for high-volume usage
⊖ Limited advanced customization options
⊖ No official SLA for uptime
⊖ Raster format flexibility is limited compared to SVG