Guides / Design

What Is Lorem Ipsum and Why Designers Use It

Lorem ipsum is placeholder text that designers and printers have used for centuries. It looks like Latin, but it is not meant to be read. That is the point: it lets a layout be judged without the distraction of real words.

Where it comes from

The passage is adapted from a work by the Roman writer Cicero, first printed in the 1500s. Printers scrambled and shortened the original sentences to make a sample text. The result has a letter pattern and word length similar to ordinary English, so pages look finished.

Why use placeholder text at all

Real copy changes often and can pull attention to itself. If a headline is a real sentence, people read it and comment on it instead of checking the spacing, font size and column width. Placeholder text keeps the discussion on the design.

Using it well

• Match the amount of text to what the final content will be, so line lengths and page height are realistic.
• Use it for layout reviews, not for final copy. Replace it before you publish anything.
• Mix paragraph lengths and include a short line, so headings and spacing get tested too.

Try it yourself

The Lorem Ipsum Generator makes paragraphs, sentences or words, with an option to start with the familiar opening line. Copy the result in one click.