liminfoPlaceholder Image
Free web tool: Placeholder Image
Preview (640 x 480)
About Placeholder Image
The Placeholder Image Generator is a free browser-based tool that creates custom placeholder images as downloadable PNG files using the HTML5 Canvas API. Specify any width and height (up to 4096×4096 pixels), choose background and text colors, and optionally add a custom label — the canvas renders instantly and you can download the result immediately.
Web developers, UI/UX designers, front-end engineers, and content creators use placeholder images throughout the design and development workflow. They fill empty image slots in wireframes, occupy layout positions during development before real assets arrive, and serve as stand-in images in mockups, documentation, and presentations. This tool replaces services like placeholder.com by running entirely in your browser without any external requests.
The tool uses the HTML5 Canvas API to render the image: it fills the canvas with the chosen background color, then draws the label text (defaulting to the dimensions string like "640 x 480" if no custom text is provided) centered at a font size proportional to the smaller canvas dimension (capped between 12px and 1/8 of the shorter side). The canvas is exported as PNG via toBlob() and downloaded with the filename placeholder_{width}x{height}.png.
Key Features
- Custom width and height from 1×1 to 4096×4096 pixels, with numeric inputs for precise control
- Seven size presets covering common use cases: 150×150, 300×200, 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1200×630 (Open Graph), 1920×1080 (Full HD)
- Background color picker for any color — choose from the full color spectrum using the native browser color wheel
- Text color picker for the label overlay — independently customizable for maximum contrast
- Custom text label input — leave empty to auto-display the image dimensions (e.g., "640 x 480")
- Auto-scaling font size that stays proportional to the canvas dimensions for readable labels at any resolution
- Live canvas preview that updates in real time as you change any setting, before downloading
- PNG download via Canvas toBlob() — no server, no upload, filename includes dimensions for easy identification
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a placeholder image and why do developers use them?
A placeholder image is a temporary image used during web development or design to fill space where a real image will eventually go. They prevent layout shifts, help visualize proportions during wireframing, and are used in mockups and documentation. Common conventions include showing the image dimensions as a label on a neutral gray background.
What image format does this tool produce?
This tool generates PNG (Portable Network Graphics) files via the HTML5 Canvas API's toBlob() method. PNG is lossless, supports full transparency, and is universally compatible with browsers and design tools. The filename format is placeholder_{width}x{height}.png.
What is the maximum image size I can create?
The tool supports widths and heights from 1 pixel up to 4096 pixels per dimension. Canvas memory limits in modern browsers typically allow images up to 16,384×16,384 pixels, but 4096×4096 covers all practical placeholder use cases including full 4K resolution.
Can I use placeholder images generated here in commercial projects?
Yes. Images generated by this tool are created entirely on your device using web standard APIs. There are no watermarks, licenses, or usage restrictions. The generated PNG is yours to use freely in any project, commercial or personal.
How does the tool differ from placeholder.com or via.placeholder.com?
Services like placeholder.com serve images from their servers and require internet requests with the image URL embedded in your HTML. This tool generates images locally in your browser using the Canvas API — no external dependency, no network request, and no URL-based integration. You download a standalone PNG file.
What do the size presets cover?
The presets cover the most common placeholder dimensions: 150×150 (thumbnail/avatar), 300×200 (small card image), 640×480 (VGA/standard), 800×600 (SVGA), 1024×768 (XGA), 1200×630 (Open Graph / social share image), and 1920×1080 (Full HD / hero image). Select a preset to instantly populate the width and height fields.
How is the font size determined for the label?
The font size is calculated as Math.max(12, Math.min(width, height) / 8), meaning it equals one-eighth of the shorter canvas dimension, with a minimum of 12px. This ensures the label is always readable and proportional regardless of the image size — a 640×480 image gets a 60px font, while a 150×150 thumbnail gets an 18px font.
Can I create a transparent background placeholder?
The current tool fills the background with a solid color chosen via the color picker. Pure transparency is not supported because the canvas background is always filled with the selected color before drawing the text. If you need a transparent PNG, you can use a PNG editor to remove the background after downloading.