Mocking up websites and apps can be tedious. You likely want to focus on showcasing the design and functionality, not waste precious time searching for the perfect placeholder images. That‘s where these handy placeholder image generators come in!
These nifty tools take just seconds to automatically create custom placeholder images tailored to your exact specifications. No more digging endlessly through stock photo sites or fiddling with sizes in Photoshop. Simply plug in a URL or snippet of code into your mockup, et voila—visually appealing images magically populate your site or app frames!
According to a 2022 survey, 89% of designers report relying on placeholder image tools to accelerate early-stage mockup creation. And with good reason…these generators can shave hours off build time!
Let‘s explore 10 top-rated options to fit various mockup needs and styles:
1. Dynamic Dummy Image Generator
Ideal for: Quick and simple placeholder images
With over 340 million image requests per month, Dummy Image Generator deserves its popularity. It‘s insanely easy to use—just pick dimensions and background/text colors to output a basic placeholder.
While the images won‘t win design awards, the tool‘s speed and flexibility make it perfect for early web/app mockup concepts.
Key features:
- Generate images instantly without signing up
- Additional options like custom text and circles
- Completely free
See Dummy Image Generator in Action
2. LoremFlickr
Ideal for: Photographic placeholder images
Want placeholders with some visual pop? LoremFlickr taps into Flickr‘s database of Creative Commons images to serve up photographs. And not just any photographs—we‘re talking gorgeous, high-quality pics you‘d gladly keep in final mockups.
It mirrors the functionality of LoremPixel but with way more captivating results.
Key features:
- Access over 100 million Creative Commons Flickr images
- Customize size, keywords, colors, etc.
- 10,000 free credits per month
See LoremFlickr‘s Image Library
3. Placehold.it
Ideal for: Fast image creation without leaving editor
Developers rejoice! Placehold.it lets you generate placeholders straight within code editors like Visual Studio by simply typing image dimensions after their URL. Talk about easy.
While it doesn‘t allow much customization, Placehold.it‘s incredible speed and simplicity keep it a favorite, especially for creating initial wireframes or prototypes.
Key features:
- Render images instantly just by entering size after URL
- Supports all standard image formats/sizes
- Completely free and open source
4. Lorem Picsum
Ideal for: Aesthetically pleasing placeholder photos
Another option using beautiful Creative Commons images, Lorem Picsum brings a touch of class and diversity to mockups. Their photo selection eye catches is impressive.
And their slick API makes fetching and inserting new images into mockup templates simple.
Key features:
- Curated HD images from variety of categories
- Easy-to-use API for dynamically generating images
- Completely open source and free
Browse Lorem Picsum‘s Image Library
5. Placebear
Ideal for: Adding fun and character to mockups
Because placeholder images don‘t have to be boring or generic. Enter Placebear and their hilarious database of—you guessed it—bear photos.
Their tongue-in-cheek approach helps inject personality and emotion into otherwise dull mockup frames. And the results never fail to entertain!
Key features:
- Access endless bear photos to use
- Simple custom size parameters
- Free and open source
See Placebear‘s Silly Bear Photos
6. Fakeimg.pl
Ideal for: Flexible solid color images
Sometimes you want more control over the exact look of placeholders without excessive features. Cue Fakeimg. Fakeimg strips away the fluff and offers a straightforward way to generate custom, solid color images.
Adjust size, background/text colors, fonts, etc. to suit any mockup need. Did we mention it supports Chinese, Japanese and Korean text too?
Key features:
- Tunable text, colors, formats
- Optional multi-language text
- Open source and 100% free
7. PlaceIMG
Ideal for: Modern-looking images
If you want placeholders with some graphic design flair, check out PlaceIMG. Their gallery showcases horizontal images with translucent overlays and stylish text.
It‘s perfect for mocking up sleek web and mobile designs. And their image customization options give you control over colors, size, etc.
Key features:
- Horizontal banner-style placeholder images
- Translucent color overlays
- Customizable text and sizing
8. IMG Panda
Ideal for: Random or user-submitted images
Feeling adventurous? IMG Panda taps their 1+ million image database to randomly generate oddball placeholder photos. Or you can directly upload images to embed as well.
It‘s delightfully unexpected. Refresh repeatedly and enjoy their entertaining menagerie of images.
Key features:
- Surprise and delight with random photos
- Option to upload custom user images
- Simple to use and completely free
Try IMG Panda‘s Random Placeholders
9. Place-Roast
Ideal for: Hilarious placeholder portraits
Because even mockup placeholders could use more roast-worthy stock photos! Place-Roast serves up wacky images of people for all your placeholder needs.
From awkward facial expressions to questionable wardrobe choices, browse their silly portrait gallery for a good laugh (and some great placeholder images!).
Key features:
- Browse awkward portraits of people
- Create custom sizes
- Free and open source
Pick Your Ideal Placeholder Image Partner
These generator tools take the frustration and uncertainty out of mockup placeholder images. No more combing endlessly through tired stock photos or fiddling for ages with dimensions.
Instead, instantly generate custom placeholder pictures with whatever preferred look, feel and style you want—from elegant to amusing.
The key is finding the tool that aligns best with your goals and audience. Minimalist wireframes? Go basic. Polished mobile prototype? Liven it up! Client presentation? Add some wit!
However you use them, placeholder image generators help you concentrate on the parts that matter most, like perfecting functionality and user experience.
So next time you start mocking up that shiny new web app or mobile experience, consider "placing" one of these handy helpers on your product squad!
