How to Use Lorem Ipsum: History, Alternatives, and Generators
The complete guide to Lorem Ipsum placeholder text - its history, correct usage, and modern alternatives.
What is Lorem Ipsum?
Lorem Ipsum is placeholder text used in publishing and graphic design. It has been the industry standard since the 1500s when an unknown printer scrambled a passage of Latin to make a type specimen book.
The standard Lorem Ipsum passage:
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua."
The History
The text derives from Cicero's "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" (45 BC), specifically sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor, identified the source in the 1990s.
Why Use It?
- Focus on layout, not content: Readers can evaluate typography and design without being distracted by meaningful text
- Uniform distribution: Lorem Ipsum has a natural distribution of letters (unlike "aaa aaa aaa")
- Universal recognition: Designers and developers universally understand it's placeholder text
When NOT to Use It
- Final presentations to clients: Use realistic content to demonstrate the actual design
- Accessibility testing: Use real-language content
- When content length matters: Use realistic content volume
Modern Alternatives
Instead of Latin, use domain-specific placeholder text:
- Hipster Ipsum: "Artisanal hashtag literally cold-pressed vinyl"
- Corporate Ipsum: "Synergize mission-critical deliverables"
- Cupcake Ipsum: Sweet-themed placeholder text
Generate all types with our Lorem Ipsum Generator.