Placeholder Images APIs
Placeholder image services work by URL: put the width and height in the path and an image comes back, with no key or signup. DummyImage draws plain blocks with custom colors and text, Lorem Picsum serves real Unsplash photos at any size, and novelty options like PlaceKeanu, PlaceBear and BaconMockup fill mockups with something more fun.
| API | Pricing | Auth | Format | Free tier | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BaconMockupPlaceholder meat/bacon JPEG images at any width x height, for design mockups and prototypes. Developer Tools › Mock & Test APIs | None | Binary | Unlimited | Live | |
DummyImageGenerates placeholder images on the fly with custom size, background/text color, and custom text. Media & Entertainment › Images & Photos | Free | None | Binary | Unlimited | Live |
Lorem PicsumPlaceholder image generator that returns random or seeded Unsplash photos at any requested size. Media & Entertainment › Images & Photos | Free | None | Binary | Unlimited | Live |
PlaceBearServes placeholder bear photos at any pixel size via a simple URL pattern, no key needed. Developer Tools › Mock & Test APIs | Free | None | Binary | Unlimited | Live |
PlaceDogServes dog photos sized by URL path, useful as design and layout placeholders Nature & Outdoors › Animals | Free | None | Binary | Unlimited | Live |
PlaceKeanuRandom SVG placeholder photos of Keanu Reeves sized by URL path, with grayscale and young-Keanu options. Media & Entertainment › Images & Photos | Free | None | Binary | Unlimited | Live |
RoboHashTurns any text/hash into a deterministic robot, monster, cat, or avatar image for placeholder use. Developer Tools › Mock & Test APIs | Free | None | Binary | Unlimited | Live |
BaconMockupLive
Placeholder meat/bacon JPEG images at any width x height, for design mockups and prototypes.
None · Binary
Unlimited
no machine-readable spec
DummyImageFreeLive
Generates placeholder images on the fly with custom size, background/text color, and custom text.
None · Binary
Unlimited
no machine-readable spec
Lorem PicsumFreeLive
Placeholder image generator that returns random or seeded Unsplash photos at any requested size.
None · Binary
Unlimited
no machine-readable spec
PlaceBearFreeLive
Serves placeholder bear photos at any pixel size via a simple URL pattern, no key needed.
None · Binary
Unlimited
no machine-readable spec
PlaceDogFreeLive
Serves dog photos sized by URL path, useful as design and layout placeholders
None · Binary
Unlimited
no machine-readable spec
PlaceKeanuFreeLive
Random SVG placeholder photos of Keanu Reeves sized by URL path, with grayscale and young-Keanu options.
None · Binary
Unlimited
no machine-readable spec
RoboHashFreeLive
Turns any text/hash into a deterministic robot, monster, cat, or avatar image for placeholder use.
None · Binary
Unlimited
no machine-readable spec
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Choosing a Placeholder Images API
Is there a free Placeholder Images API?
Yes. Lorem Picsum, DummyImage, PlaceKeanu, PlaceBear, PlaceDog and 1 other are free to use.
Which Placeholder Images APIs work without an API key?
Lorem Picsum, DummyImage, PlaceKeanu, BaconMockup, PlaceBear and 2 others need no key or sign-up, so you can try them with a plain request.
Can I call a Placeholder Images API from front-end JavaScript?
Lorem Picsum, DummyImage and RoboHash allow cross-origin requests and need no key, so they work straight from the browser. For the others, call them from your server so your key stays private.
Broader: Images & Photos APIs · Media & Entertainment APIs
More in Images & Photos: Stock Photos APIs · Avatars APIs · Image Resize & Compression APIs