Lorem Picsum — Free Random Placeholder Image API (No Key)

TL;DR

Lorem Picsum provides random placeholder images at any size, sourced from Unsplash's library of high-quality photos. Specify width and height in the URL (e.g., /200/300) and get a different image every time. Supports fixed seeds for reproducible images, grayscale, blur, and image ID-based selection. The modern replacement for placeholder image services — no API key, no signup, just real photos that make your mockups look good.

Quick start: https://picsum.photos/200/300

No API key needed — just make a request!

Get a 200x300 placeholder: https://picsum.photos/200/300

Try This URL Now

How to Use This API

1. Fixed Size Placeholder

Width/height as path parameters:

https://picsum.photos/400/250

2. Square Image

Just one dimension:

https://picsum.photos/150

3. Reproducible Image (same image every time)

Use ?seed= for deterministic results:

https://picsum.photos/seed/myproject/300/200

4. Grayscale or Blurred

https://picsum.photos/g/300/200    
https://picsum.photos/300/200?blur

5. HTML — Direct Image Source

6. Python — Download Placeholders

import requests

# Download 5 random images
for i in range(5):
    url = f'https://picsum.photos/seed/img{i}/640/480'
    img = requests.get(url)
    with open(f'placeholder_{i}.jpg', 'wb') as f:
        f.write(img.content)
    print(f'Downloaded placeholder_{i}.jpg')

Frequently Asked Questions

What image source does Picsum use?: All images come from Unsplash, a large collection of high-quality, free-to-use photographs from photographers worldwide.
Do I need an API key?: No. Lorem Picsum is completely free and all endpoints are publicly accessible without authentication.
How do I get the same image every time?: Use a seed: /seed/myseed/300/200. The same seed string always returns the same image. This is great for consistent placeholders during development.
What image formats are available?: JPEG by default. The .webp extension is supported for WebP format. PNG is available for images without EXIF rotation.
Can I get image metadata?: Yes, the /id/{imageId}/info endpoint returns JSON metadata including the photographer's name, Unsplash profile URL, and download dimensions.
Are there rate limits?: No official rate limits. The service is used heavily and handles high volumes, but caching images locally is recommended for production use.

API Details

API URL: https://picsum.photos/{width}/{height}
Documentation: picsum.photos
Category: Development
Authentication: Not Required
Geographic Coverage: Global — photos from worldwide contributors

What You Can Build

Design mockups with real-looking images instead of gray boxes
Blog theme previews with varied hero images for each post
E-commerce product grid placeholders during development
Portfolio template that showcases photo galleries
Social media card generators with preview images