When to Use Lorem Ipsum
Lorem ipsum has been filler text since the 1500s. Used well, it keeps design focused on shape. Used badly, it hides usability problems until launch day.
Last updated July 23, 20264 min read
Where lorem ipsum comes from
The text is a scrambled version of a passage by Cicero written around 45 BC. Printers started using it in the 1500s because the shapes of the letters approximate real Latin without carrying meaning.
When to use it
- Early wireframes where content is not yet written.
- Reviewing typography and vertical rhythm without content bias.
- Component library documentation, so examples do not date.
- Stress-testing layouts with varied paragraph lengths.
When to avoid it
Placeholder text tricks reviewers. Stakeholders skim past it, so real usability issues in headings, calls to action, and error messages get missed.
By the time content lands, layouts are often wrong for the actual copy length.
Tip: Move to real content as soon as possible. If real content is not ready, at least use realistic drafts, not lorem ipsum, on interactive elements.
Alternatives worth knowing
- Bacon ipsum, hipster ipsum, and other themed generators — memorable but distracting.
- Domain-specific placeholder libraries that reflect the tone of your product.
- Realistic dummy data from tools like Faker for names, addresses, and dates.