Image Placeholder Generator

Image Options

×
Generated placeholder image.

URL for <img> src

Base64 Data URI

Using the Image Placeholder Generator

This generator creates placeholder images for use in web design mockups, wireframes, and during development. You can customize the dimensions, colors, and text, and generate the placeholder in two different formats.

  1. Set the Image Options: Specify the width, height, background color, and text color. If you leave the text field blank, the image dimensions will be used as the text.
  2. Preview the Result: The image preview updates instantly as you change the settings.
  3. Copy Your Preferred Format: Choose either the URL or the Base64 Data URI and click its "Copy" button.

URL vs. Base64 Data URI: Which to Use?

This tool provides two different types of output, each with its own advantages.

Placeholder URL

This is a link to an external service (placehold.co) that generates an image on the fly based on the URL parameters. You would use this URL in the src attribute of an <img> tag.

<img src="https://placehold.co/600x400/cccccc/888888?text=600×400" alt="Placeholder image">
  • Pros: Keeps your HTML code clean and readable.
  • Cons: Requires an internet connection to work. If the service goes down, your images will break.

Base64 Data URI

A Data URI allows you to embed the image data directly into the HTML document itself, making it completely self-contained. No external network request is needed to load the image.

<img src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUg..." alt="Placeholder image">
  • Pros: Works offline. No external dependency. The image will always load.
  • Cons: Makes your HTML file significantly larger and harder to read. It is not ideal for large or complex images.

Recommendation: Use URLs for online mockups and collaboration. Use Base64 Data URIs for offline development, email templates, or situations where you need to guarantee an image will appear without any external requests.

Why Use Placeholder Images?

Placeholder images are a fundamental tool in the web design and development process. They allow you to build and test layouts before the final image assets are available from designers or clients.

  • For Designers: Use placeholders in wireframes and mockups to define where images will go and what their dimensions will be, without getting distracted by finding the perfect photo too early in the process.
  • For Developers: Use placeholders to build out components and test responsive behavior. It helps you ensure your layout works correctly with images of different sizes before the final assets are delivered.