Lorem ipsum is the most widely used placeholder text in the world. Designers, developers, and writers use it daily. But where did it come from? What does it actually say? And should you even be using it? This guide covers everything.
What is Lorem Ipsum?
Lorem ipsum is dummy text used in the printing, typesetting, and web design industries. It looks like real Latin text, which gives layouts a natural, readable appearance without distracting viewers with meaningful content.
The standard passage begins with “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit...” and has been used in some form since the 1500s.
The Origin Story
Despite appearances, lorem ipsum is not random gibberish. It's derived from “De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (On the Extremes of Good and Evil), a philosophical work by the Roman statesman Cicero, written in 45 BC.
Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, traced the text to sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of Cicero's work. A 15th-century typesetter is believed to have scrambled parts of this text to create a type specimen book — and it stuck.
The passage survived five centuries of use, the invention of movable type, the shift to digital typesetting, and the rise of the internet. Remarkably, it remains essentially unchanged.
Why Designers Use It
The core argument for lorem ipsum is simple: real text distracts. When you put actual copy in a design mockup, stakeholders inevitably start editing the words instead of evaluating the layout, spacing, and typography.
Lorem ipsum solves this by providing text that looks realistic at a glance but is meaningless on closer reading. It has a natural distribution of letters and word lengths similar to English, so layouts look authentic.
The Case Against Lorem Ipsum
Not everyone is a fan. Some designers argue that placeholder text downplays the importance of copy, treating words as just another visual element. Kristina Halvorson, a content strategy expert, argues that since most user experiences are driven by words, designing without real content is like “sewing a custom suit without taking measurements.”
The counterargument: lorem ipsum exists precisely because words are powerful. If you use draft copy, people will focus on the words and derail the design conversation. The best approach depends on the stage of your project — use lorem ipsum early, switch to real content as the design matures.
When to Use Lorem Ipsum
- Website wireframes and early prototypes
- Font and typeface comparisons
- Print layout testing (brochures, magazines, books)
- UI/UX mockups before content is finalized
- Presentation templates and pitch decks
- Theme and template previews
When NOT to Use Lorem Ipsum
- Final client deliverables (always replace before shipping)
- Content-first design processes where real copy drives layout
- Usability testing where participants need to read the content
- Any public-facing page (we've all seen live sites with accidental lorem ipsum)
Fun Alternatives
If classic lorem ipsum feels stale, there's a whole ecosystem of humorous alternatives: Bacon Ipsum (“Bacon ipsum dolor amet chicken turducken...”), Hipster Ipsum, Cupcake Ipsum, Cat Ipsum, and even Samuel L. Ipsum. These can lighten the mood in internal reviews while serving the same purpose as the original.
Generate Lorem Ipsum
Need placeholder text right now? Use our Lorem Ipsum Generator to create paragraphs, sentences, or a specific word count. Set a character limit for social media captions, choose whether to start with the classic “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet...” opening, and copy with one click.