How to Generate Placeholder Images for Mockups
Generate custom placeholder images at any size with our free Placeholder Image Generator. Choose colours, text, and format for mockups and wireframes.
Steps
Set image dimensions
Enter the width and height in pixels. Use exact dimensions matching your design spec, or choose from common presets: 16:9 for video/hero images, 1:1 for profile pictures, 4:3 for traditional images, or 3:2 for photography.
Choose background and text colours
Select a background colour and a contrasting text colour. The default grey background with white text is universally recognisable as a placeholder. You can also match your brand colours to create realistic-looking mockups.
Add a custom label
Add text to display inside the placeholder: the dimensions (800×400 is shown by default), a content type label (Product Image, Avatar, Banner), or any descriptive text. This helps stakeholders understand what each placeholder represents in a design review.
Download
Download the placeholder as a PNG or JPEG. Use the URL format to reference placeholders directly in HTML without downloading: <img src="https://placeholder.unicorntoolbox.com/800x400"> loads a placeholder on demand.
Using Placeholder Images in Design and Development
Placeholder images serve multiple purposes across the design and development lifecycle. In wireframing, grey boxes with dimension labels communicate image placement and size without requiring actual images to be created before the layout is approved. In development, placeholder images allow front-end developers to build and test layouts before the design team or content team provides final images. In component documentation (Storybook, style guides), placeholder images show component states without requiring real content to be maintained. In automated testing, placeholder images allow visual regression tests to run without depending on external image assets that might change. The key benefit is separating concerns: layout, interaction, and real content can each be developed and reviewed independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use placeholder images when the layout depends on image dimensions or visual weight — hero sections, product galleries, card components, and anywhere an image is a primary design element. Use Lorem Ipsum for text content. Both together create a realistic-looking mockup that lets reviewers focus on layout and hierarchy rather than actual content.
No — placeholder images should never appear in production. They are only for development, design mockups, and testing. Create a pre-launch checklist that searches your codebase for placeholder URLs and the common placeholder colours (like the grey #cccccc) to catch any that were accidentally left in.