Placeholders allow designers and developers to visualize layouts without final content.
Common placeholder types
- Text: Lorem ipsum, dummy copy.
- Images: Generic photos, colored boxes.
- Video: Sample clips, aspect ratio boxes.
- Data: Fake names, addresses, numbers.
Lorem Ipsum origins
- Derived from Cicero's "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" (45 BC).
- Scrambled Latin text that mimics natural language patterns.
- Industry standard since the 1500s (used in type specimens).
- Became popular in 1960s with Letraset transfers.
Why use placeholders
- Focus on layout/design without content distraction.
- Test typography, line length, paragraph spacing.
- Demonstrate text hierarchy and visual balance.
- Estimate space requirements for content.
- Prevent client fixation on draft copy.
Modern alternatives
- Cupcake Ipsum: Dessert-themed filler text.
- Hipster Ipsum: Trendy, ironic placeholder text.
- Bacon Ipsum: Meat-themed generator.
- Custom generators: Industry-specific content.
Best practices
- Match realistic content length.
- Use actual data structure (headings, lists, links).
- Include edge cases (very long/short text).
- Replace with real content before launch.
- Avoid offensive or nonsensical text.
Development use
- Frontend prototyping and component libraries.
- Database seeding for testing.
- API response mocks.
- User acceptance testing (UAT) environments.
Related Articles
View all articles
Cloud migration guide
Read article →Color Picker & Converter: HEX, RGB, HSL Tool
Pick colors and convert between HEX, RGB, HSL, and HSV formats with visual picker and accessibility checker. Perfect for designers and developers.
Read article →Why Use Lorem Ipsum Instead of
Discover why Lorem Ipsum is superior to repetitive filler text or keyboard mashing for design mockups. Learn how realistic letter distribution affects typography, readability assessment, and professional design workflows.
Read article →When Should I Use Lorem Ipsum Placeholder Text?
Learn exactly when Lorem Ipsum is appropriate for design projects and when it should be avoided. Discover best practices for using placeholder text in web design, print, UI/UX, and content strategy.
Read article →