Shadcn Separator

Browse 6 production-ready shadcn separator components for content dividers, list grouping, and visual hierarchy. Separator is compatible with Radix UI and Base UI composition and fully aligned with Shadcn Create so radius, colors, and typography match your design tokens.

For AI Agents

Hand your agent this brief or the ReUI MCP, not a screenshot. Free to install.

When to use

Thin rules between a heading and its body, or between the stacked rows of a list or a summary
Vertical rules between inline labels or side by side menu entries along one row
Labeled breaks with a short caption centered on the rule, like an or continue with line

When not to use

A trail of links from the current page back up to its parent pages: use the Breadcrumb component
Step lines and named phase breaks in an agent run log or transcript: use the Marker component
A list of rows each led by an avatar or icon, with text and an action: use the Item component

Agent notes

The base Separator renders role separator, while the radix twin defaults decorative to true and renders role none, hidden from screen readers
A vertical Separator takes its height from self-stretch, so it shows only in a flex row or grid unless given a height such as h-8

Markdownhttps://web.dev.reui.io/components/separator.md

MCPget_component("separator")

Installnpx shadcn@latest add separator

Full index for agents:llms.txtReUI MCP setup

Shadcn Separator: Visual Dividers and Content Grouping

Shadcn Separator is a thin, semantic divider for grouping content and reinforcing visual hierarchy. Built on Radix UI Separator with accessible roles, it supports horizontal and vertical orientations and works seamlessly with Shadcn Create styling.

It is a lightweight, purely presentational component that helps users scan layouts by clearly delineating sections without requiring extensive CSS or custom styling.

ReUI lists separator components inside card layouts, list sections, and multi-column grids so you evaluate spacing, color contrast, and context where a subtle divider improves readability without visual clutter. The sections below explain what the component is, why it matters, key features, and integration guidance.

What is Shadcn Separator?

A separator (or divider) is a thin line or visual break between content sections. Shadcn Separator renders a semantic <hr> or <div> element with Radix UI roles so assistive technologies recognize it as a structural divider, not decorative.

Components here show simple horizontal dividers between card sections, vertical separators in button groups, and nested separators inside complex layouts. They help you decide when a separator improves readability versus adding clutter, and how to pair separators with whitespace and typography.

Why Use Shadcn Separator?

Teams use separators to group related content and improve visual hierarchy without opening a new card or section. List items, form sections, and menu items all benefit from clear dividers that guide the eye without distraction.

The components on this page show when and where separators improve layouts, and how to style them to match your Shadcn Create tokens for cohesive design.

Shadcn Separator Features

Horizontal and Vertical. Set orientation prop to 'horizontal' (default) for vertical dividers or 'vertical' for inline separators between elements.
Semantic HTML. Uses <hr> or proper <div> roles so screen readers recognize it as a structural divider, not decorative noise.
Customizable Color and Width. Style with Tailwind utilities (bg-border, h-px) to match your theme. Adjust opacity for subtle vs. prominent dividers.
Margin Control. Add Tailwind margin utilities (my-4, my-8) to control spacing around the divider so it doesn't feel cramped or isolated.
Lightweight. No JavaScript, no state, no event handlers:purely presentational. Pair with other components for interactive layouts.

Use separators inside Shadcn Card to divide sections (header, body, footer). Add separators between Shadcn Field groups in long forms to signal logical groupings without full section breaks.

Pair separators with Shadcn Button groups (e.g., 'Save | Cancel | Delete') using vertical orientation. Use horizontal separators in Shadcn Accordion panels or Shadcn Table rows for visual clarity.

Add separators to Shadcn Navigation Menu or Shadcn Dropdown Menu to group related actions. For layouts with Shadcn Sidebar, use horizontal separators to divide navigation sections, improving scannability.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use a separator vs. whitespace to group content?

Use a separator when visually distinct sections need a clear boundary (e.g., different card sections, menu groups). Use whitespace alone when sections are already visually distinct or when the divider would feel like clutter. Test with users to ensure the divider adds clarity.

How do I make a vertical separator between inline elements?

Use orientation='vertical' and set a fixed height (e.g., h-4) and width (e.g., w-px). Place it between buttons or text elements to create a light divider; pair with small margins (mx-2) so it doesn't feel crowded.

Can I use a separator inside a list?

Yes. Wrap separator in an <li> element so it's a valid list item. This keeps HTML structure clean and semantically correct, important for screen reader users scanning lists.

What color should my separator be?

Use a subtle contrast: bg-border or bg-muted from your Shadcn theme. Avoid black or strong colors unless you want the divider to be prominent. Test contrast ratios to ensure readability without overwhelming content.

How much margin should I add around a separator?

Add consistent spacing (my-4, my-6, or my-8) based on your design system. The separator should feel like it belongs between sections, not crammed or floating. Match spacing to other components like Shadcn Card for visual consistency.

Is a separator component necessary, or can I use CSS borders?

A separator is useful for consistency across your product and pairs naturally with Shadcn Create theming. For simple cases, a CSS border (border-top) works fine. Use the component when you want semantic HTML, theme alignment, and reduced CSS boilerplate.

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