CSS Outline Generator
Build CSS outlines for focus states and accessibility. Compare outline vs border side by side.
Preview: Outline vs Border
Outline
Button Element
Border (same values)
Button Element
Outlines do not take up layout space and can be offset from the element edge. Borders affect layout and box model. Outlines follow border-radius in modern browsers.
Presets
Controls
Accessibility Use Cases
Why Outlines Matter
Visible focus indicators are required by WCAG 2.4.7 (Focus Visible). Users navigating with keyboards need to see which element has focus.
Use outline instead of border for focus indicators because outlines don't shift layout. Combine with outline-offset for breathing room.
Never use outline: none without providing an alternative focus style.
Standard focus ring with offset
High contrast for visibility
Dashed style with large offset
CSS Output
Click to copy