How to Generate Placeholder Images for Prototyping
Placeholder images fill the gaps during development when final photography, illustrations, or product images aren't available yet. They show the correct dimensions, maintain layout structure, and communicate image sizing requirements to content teams — all without blocking development progress.
- Create placeholder images with custom dimensions, colors, and text.
- Why Use Placeholder Images?.
- Covers using the placeholder image tool.
- Covers common placeholder sizes.
- Covers alternative placeholder services.
Why Use Placeholder Images?
Development shouldn't block on content. Placeholder images let you build, test, and review layouts before final images are ready. They also serve as specifications — a 1200×630 placeholder communicates the required image dimensions to the content team. For client presentations, placeholders prevent the 'why is there a broken image' question while focusing feedback on layout and structure.
Using the Placeholder Image Tool
Enter your desired width and height, choose a background color and text color, and optionally add custom text (dimensions are shown by default). Download the generated image as PNG or use the generated URL directly as an src during development. The tool generates images locally — no external service dependency.
Common Placeholder Sizes
Hero images: 1920×1080 or 1440×810. Blog thumbnails: 1200×630 (doubles as OG image size). Profile photos: 400×400. Product images: 800×800 (square) or 800×1000 (portrait). Carousel slides: 1200×600. Mobile screenshots: 375×812 (iPhone).
background-size animation or @property registered custom properties instead.Alternative Placeholder Services
For development environments, you can also use placeholder services via URL: picsum.photos for random photographs, via.placeholder.com for solid-color boxes with dimensions. The advantage of the local Placeholder Image tool is that it works offline, generates instantly, and gives you full control over colors and text.