Blog
Lorem ipsum is the design industry's standard placeholder text. It has been filling layouts, mockups, and prototypes for over 500 years — from physical typesetting to Figma frames. Here is where it came from, why it works, and how to generate exactly the amount you need.
The source text is "De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" (On the Ends of Good and Evil), a philosophical work by Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, written in 45 BC. The treatise explores ethical theories — what constitutes the highest good and the greatest evil.
In the 1500s, an unknown typesetter creating a type specimen book took a section from Cicero's work and deliberately scrambled it. Words were removed, fragments were rearranged, and nonsensical additions were made. The result looked like real Latin text but was meaningless — perfect for showing off typefaces without distracting readers with content.
| Era | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 45 BC | Cicero writes De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum | Original Latin source text created |
| 1500s | Unknown typesetter scrambles Cicero's text | First "lorem ipsum" placeholder text exists |
| 1960s | Letraset includes it on dry-transfer sheets | Graphic designers worldwide adopt it |
| 1985 | Aldus PageMaker bundles it as default text | Desktop publishing makes it universal |
| 1990s-2000s | Web design tools and CMS platforms adopt it | Becomes standard for web mockups |
| 2010s-present | Figma, Sketch, and design tools include generators | Built into modern design workflows |
The purpose of placeholder text is to not be read. Real English text — even random sentences — pulls attention away from the design being reviewed. Lorem ipsum succeeds because it has two contradictory properties:
This is why "just use any random text" doesn't work. Random English words are still readable. The brain processes them automatically, and reviewers start thinking about content instead of layout.
| Generator | Theme | Best For | Professional? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Lorem Ipsum | Classical Latin fragments | All professional work | ✓ Yes — universally recognized |
| Hipster Ipsum | Artisanal, craft-themed filler | Internal team projects | ~Informal only |
| Bacon Ipsum | Meat-related words in sentences | Developer humor | ~Informal only |
| Corporate Ipsum | Synergy-driven business buzzwords | Mocking corporate design | ~Informal only |
| Cupcake Ipsum | Dessert and pastry themed | Bakery/food mockups | ~Niche |
| Pirate Ipsum | Pirate-speak placeholder | Entertainment projects | ~Informal only |
| Samuel L. Ipsum | Movie quotes (some NSFW) | Internal use only | ✗ Not client-safe |
These are fun for internal use or developer in-jokes. For client-facing work, standard lorem ipsum remains the safest choice — every designer and stakeholder recognizes it instantly as placeholder content.
Generate placeholder text for any design project — free, instant, no signup.
Open Lorem Ipsum Generator