How to Generate and Download Free Lorem Ipsum and Dummy Text
Every designer and developer knows the moment: the layout is ready, but the boxes are empty. Real copy is not written yet, and a page full of the words text goes here does not show how the design will really look.
Placeholder text solves that. This guide explains what Lorem Ipsum is, how to generate it (or other kinds of dummy text) by paragraphs, words or characters, how to download it, and when it is better to use real content instead.
What is Lorem Ipsum and why do designers use it?
Lorem Ipsum is scrambled Latin-like text that has been used in printing and typesetting for a very long time. Because the words carry no meaning, readers are not distracted by the content, and they can judge the layout, the fonts and the spacing instead.
The text also has a natural mix of short and long words, so paragraphs look like real writing. That is why it appears in website templates, print mock-ups, slide decks and app prototypes.
How to generate dummy text with our tool
- Open the Dummy Text Generator.
- Choose a text type: classic Lorem Ipsum, Bacon Ipsum, business text or real content from sample posts.
- Choose how you want to measure the amount: paragraphs, words or characters.
- Enter the amount, or use a quick preset.
- Click Generate, then copy the text or download it as a file.
The tool also shows simple statistics, such as word and character counts, so you can confirm the text fits the space before you paste it into your design.
Choosing the right text type
| Type | What it looks like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lorem Ipsum | Classic Latin-style paragraphs | Website layouts, print mock-ups, general templates |
| Bacon Ipsum | Playful, meat-themed words | Informal demos where nobody should mistake it for final copy |
| Business text | Words like strategy, workflow and stakeholder | Corporate mock-ups, pitch decks, SaaS demos |
| Real content | Sentences from sample posts | Testing how realistic writing behaves in a layout |
Paragraphs, words or characters: which should you use?
- Paragraphs: best for blog templates and long pages. You can request from 1 to 20 paragraphs.
- Words: best when a design has a word limit, such as a 150-word product description. You can request from 1 to 2,000 words.
- Characters: best for testing input fields, meta descriptions or buttons where an exact length matters. You can request up to 10,000 characters.
If you want a common amount quickly, the built-in presets, such as 500 characters, 100 business words or 3 Bacon paragraphs, save a few clicks.
Three practical ways to use placeholder text
Testing a layout with different amounts of text
A design that looks perfect with three lines may break with ten. Generate short, medium and long versions and paste each into the layout to see how the design handles them.
Checking form fields and character limits
Developers use exact character counts to test how a form behaves at its limit. Generate a text of exactly the maximum length, paste it in, and confirm that the field, the database and the display all cope.
Building a quick prototype for a client
Placeholder text keeps the discussion on structure and design. For a business audience, business text looks more appropriate than classic Lorem Ipsum.
Good habits when using dummy text
- Replace it before you publish. Do not leave Lorem Ipsum on a live page. It looks unfinished and it can hurt trust and search visibility.
- Match the real content length. Use a similar number of words to what the final copy will have.
- Use headings and lists too. Real pages have more than paragraphs, so mock up the whole structure.
- Mark drafts clearly. Name files with draft or mockup so nobody mistakes them for final content.
Handing over a design with placeholder text
When you share a mock-up with a client or a developer, say clearly which parts are placeholder and which are final. A short note such as: all body text is temporary, headings are approved, prevents misunderstandings and last-minute changes.
- Test extremes. Try a very short and a very long paragraph, because real content rarely matches the average.
- Check line length. Body text is easiest to read at roughly 50 to 75 characters per line, so use character counts to see how your columns behave.
- Try a different language. If your site will be translated, longer words and sentences can push a layout out of shape, so test with longer text.
- Keep accessibility in mind. Placeholder text still needs enough contrast and a readable size, since you are judging the real design.
When not to use placeholder text
Dummy text is for design and testing, not for the published version of a page. Search engines expect useful, original content on live pages, so a page filled with placeholder text gives visitors nothing to read. When the design is approved, write real copy, or read our advice on making pages useful in the guides section.
Working with images in the same project? See our guide to choosing the right image format for the pictures that go alongside your text.
Frequently asked questions
What does Lorem Ipsum mean?
It is placeholder text that has no real meaning. Its purpose is to show how text will look in a layout without distracting the reader with content.
How do I generate Lorem Ipsum for a specific length?
Choose paragraphs, words or characters in the Dummy Text Generator, enter the number you need, and click Generate.
Can I download the text as a file?
Yes. After generating, you can copy the text or download it, and check the word and character counts.
Is Lorem Ipsum free to use?
Yes. It is a widely used placeholder text, and you can use the generated text in your own designs and mock-ups.
Should I leave dummy text on a live website?
No. Replace it with real content before publishing, because visitors and search engines expect useful text.
Do I need an account?
No. The tool is free and does not need an account or sign-up.
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