Hipsum API
Generate hipster-flavoured placeholder text over HTTP with no API key. Choose sentences, paragraphs or words, in Latin-mixed or English-only mode. Tested example.
Endpoint tested and returned HTTP 200 on 21 Aug 2026
What is the Hipsum API?
Hipsum is a free placeholder-text API. `GET https://hipsum.co/api/?type=hipster-centric&sentences=2` returns a JSON array containing hipster-flavoured filler text. There is no API key, no signup and no rate limit published.
Hipsum exists because `lorem ipsum` stopped being funny somewhere around 2006, and because designers keep asking for filler that is recognisably fake. Its output reads like a Portland cafe menu, which has the practical benefit that nobody mistakes it for real copy during a client review.
One shape detail catches everyone. The response is always a JSON array, even when you asked for a single block of text, and requesting `sentences=2` gives you one array element containing two sentences rather than two elements. Ask for paragraphs instead and each paragraph becomes its own element. Read the array, do not index blindly into `[0]` and assume that is everything.
Quick facts
- Base URL
https://hipsum.co/api- Authentication
- No key. Attribution is not required, though a link back is appreciated.
- Rate limit
- Not published. Placeholder text should be generated once and cached, not fetched per page view.
- Pricing
- Free.
- CORS
- Enabled — callable directly from browser JavaScript
- Official docs
- Read the docs
How to use the Hipsum API
Every request below was executed against the live API on 21 Aug 2026, and the response shown is the real body it returned — not an illustration.
1. Two sentences of hipster-centric filler
GET https://hipsum.co/api/?type=hipster-centric&sentences=2
curl 'https://hipsum.co/api/?type=hipster-centric&sentences=2'const res = await fetch("https://hipsum.co/api/?type=hipster-centric&sentences=2");
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${res.status}`);
const data = await res.json();
console.log(data);import requests
res = requests.get("https://hipsum.co/api/?type=hipster-centric&sentences=2", timeout=20)
res.raise_for_status()
print(res.json())[
"Selfies PBR&B cassette, pop-up VHS hammock yo la tengo algospeak side hustle ketamine therapy asymmetrical sriracha yorgos. You probably haven't heard of them bluesky fashion axe noguchi vaporware."
]Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
type | string | Optional | `hipster-centric` for English-only hipster words, or `hipster-latin` to mix in classic lorem ipsum. hipster-centric |
sentences | integer | Optional | Number of sentences to generate. Returned as a single array element containing all of them. 2 |
paragraphs | integer | Optional | Number of paragraphs. Each paragraph becomes its own element in the array. 3 |
start-with-lorem | integer | Optional | Set to `1` to force the output to begin with the classic `Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet` opener. 1 |
Response fields
(root)array of strings- The generated text. One element per paragraph, or a single element holding all sentences when you asked for sentences.
What you can build with the Hipsum API
- Fill a design mockup with copy that is obviously placeholder
- Seed a CMS or database with realistic-length dummy articles
- Generate variable-length strings for layout and text-overflow testing
- Produce filler for screenshots and marketing images without shipping real customer text
- Stress-test a rich text editor with awkward word lengths
Common errors and how to fix them
Empty or single-element array
You asked for sentences rather than paragraphs.
Fix: Use `paragraphs=n` when you want n separate strings back.
Both sentences and paragraphs sent
Only one length parameter is honoured.
Fix: Send exactly one of `sentences`, `paragraphs` or `words` per request.
HTML response instead of JSON
You hit `https://hipsum.co/` rather than `https://hipsum.co/api/`.
Fix: Keep the `/api/` path segment, including the trailing slash.
Hipsum API — frequently asked questions
Is the Hipsum API free?
Yes, entirely. No key, no account and no attribution requirement, although the site appreciates a credit link.
What is the difference between hipster-centric and hipster-latin?
`hipster-centric` produces English hipster vocabulary only. `hipster-latin` blends that vocabulary with traditional lorem ipsum Latin, which looks closer to conventional placeholder text.
Can I call Hipsum from the browser?
Yes. It returns a permissive CORS header, so a plain fetch from front-end code works without a proxy.
Should I call it on every page load?
No. Placeholder text does not need to be fresh. Generate once, store the result, and you remove an external dependency from your render path.
Tools that pair with this API
Lorem Ipsum Generator
Generate classic lorem ipsum placeholder text by paragraphs, sentences or words. Copy dummy text for mockups, designs and layouts in one click.
Random Text Generator
Generate random strings with custom length and character sets, or random words from a built-in list. Great for test data, IDs and placeholders.
Text Repeater
Repeat any text, word or emoji thousands of times with your chosen separator — new line, space, comma or custom. Copy or download the result.
Random Word Generator
Generate random English words filtered by part of speech, length and starting letter. Draw unique words or allow repeats, then copy or download the list.
Alternatives to Hipsum API
If Hipsum does not fit, these developer & testing apis cover similar ground. Every one was called before publishing, and each links to its own reference page with a working curl command and the response it returned.
| API | What it does | Auth | CORS | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub REST API | GitHub REST API with no key for public data: repository details, users, issues, releases and commits. 60 req/hour unauthenticated, 5,000 with a token. | No key | Yes | 19 Aug 2026 |
| JSONPlaceholder | Free fake REST API for testing and prototyping. Posts, comments, users and todos with full GET, POST, PUT and DELETE support. No key. Real curl examples. | No key | Yes | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Postman Echo | Postman Echo reflects your HTTP request back as JSON: headers, body, query params and auth. Free, no key, ideal for debugging clients. Real POST example. | No key | No | 19 Aug 2026 |
| DummyJSON | Free fake REST API with realistic products, users, carts, recipes and auth. Supports search, pagination, sorting and POST. No key. Tested GET and POST examples. | No key | Yes | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Homebrew Formulae | Free Homebrew formulae API with no key: package versions, dependencies, install counts, licences and caveats for every macOS and Linux formula. Tested. | No key | Yes | 20 Aug 2026 |
| httpbingo | Free HTTP request testing API with no key: a Go reimplementation of httpbin with HTTP/2, streaming, status codes, auth and redirect endpoints. Tested. | No key | Yes | 20 Aug 2026 |
Hipsum is an independent third-party service and is not affiliated with ByteTools or ByteVancer. Details on this page were verified on 21 Aug 2026; always check the official documentation before relying on this API in production, as terms and limits can change.