What does the API return?

An SVG image that drops straight into an img tag, with the size, background colour or gradient and label you ask for, and text colour chosen automatically for contrast.

Can I get random colours?

Yes. The random endpoint picks a colour for you, and the label and size still apply.

Why SVG rather than PNG?

SVG is tiny, scales to any size without blur and renders instantly, which is what placeholders need.

Are these photographs?

No. They are generated graphics, not stock photos, so there are no licensing questions.

What does a call cost?

1 token per image. The free plan covers 500 images a month.

UtilitiesMAINTAINED1 token / call

Random Image & Placeholder API

Placeholder images as SVG with solid or gradient backgrounds, a label and automatic contrast text

Generate placeholder images as SVG — solid or gradient backgrounds, a centered label, and automatic contrast text. Pick exact colors and size, or use the random-color mode. Returns an SVG that drops straight into an <img> tag.

Every call needs an X-Api-Key header. A free key includes 500 tokens a month, no card required. 1 token per call, so the free plan covers about 500 calls a month.

Start free — 500 tokens / mo →See all plans

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response.json

{
  "results": [
    {
      "id": 1,
      "title": "Example Title",
      "status": "Finished"
    }
  ],
  "meta": {
    "total": 1000,
    "page": 1
  }
}

Production Ready: Battle-tested infrastructure with a 99.9% uptime SLA. Rate limits are generous, responses are consistent.
Simple Integration: Standard REST + JSON. Works with any HTTP client. Copy-ready code snippets in 4 languages.
One Key, 125+ APIs: Your DataAndAPIs subscription unlocks every API on the platform — anime, finance, sports, and more.

Use cases for Random Image & Placeholder API

Fill image slots in mockups and prototypes with correctly sized placeholders.
Generate avatars and thumbnails with a label for demo data.
Test responsive layouts with placeholders of exact dimensions.
Produce coloured blocks for charts, legends and design tokens.

Random Image & Placeholder API endpoints

Every endpoint with its parameters and a real example response.

GETPlaceholder Image
GETRandom Image

GETPlaceholder Image

https://api-random-image.dataandapis.com/v1/image

Query parameters

Parameter	Example
bg	cccccc	Optional
color	333333	Optional
gradient	eeeeee	Optional
height	400	Optional
text	Hello	Optional
width	600	Optional

Example request

curl "https://api-random-image.dataandapis.com/v1/image?bg=cccccc&color=333333&gradient=eeeeee&height=400&text=Hello&width=600" \
  -H "X-Api-Key: YOUR_API_KEY"

Example response

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="600" height="400" viewBox="0 0 600 400"><rect width="100%" height="100%" fill="#cccccc"/><text x="50%" y="50%" font-family="sans-serif" font-size="80" font-weight="600" fill="#333333" text-anchor="middle" dominant-baseline="central">600×400</text></svg>

GETRandom Image

https://api-random-image.dataandapis.com/v1/image/random

Query parameters

Parameter	Example
gradient	true	Optional
height	300	Optional
width	800	Optional

Example request

curl "https://api-random-image.dataandapis.com/v1/image/random?gradient=true&height=300&width=800" \
  -H "X-Api-Key: YOUR_API_KEY"

Example response

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="800" height="300" viewBox="0 0 800 300"><defs><linearGradient id="g" x1="0" y1="0" x2="1" y2="1"><stop offset="0%" stop-color="#ff5733"/><stop offset="100%" stop-color="#3357ff"/></linearGradient></defs><rect width="100%" height="100%" fill="url(#g)"/></svg>

Where the data comes from

Source: Generated in the worker as SVG. Pure computation, no third-party image host.
Freshness: Generated on every call.

One install. Every endpoint.

No proprietary SDKs needed. Any HTTP client works. Pick your language and paste.

3languages

2endpoints

RESTarchitecture

1key for all APIs

Fully typed responses — auto-completion in your IDE
Tracks the API in lockstep — new endpoints land same day
One key works across 125+ APIs on the platform

import axios from 'axios';

const { data } = await axios.get(
  'https://api-random-image.dataandapis.com/v1/image',
  { headers: { 'X-Api-Key': process.env.API_KEY } }
);

Random Image & Placeholder API · X-Api-Key

Explore the endpoints

Browse request parameters and inspect live example responses.

Available Endpoints

Request Parameters

API URL

Headers

X-Api-Key

Query Parameters

bg(Optional)

color(Optional)

gradient(Optional)

height(Optional)

text(Optional)

width(Optional)

Target:

Client:

import axios from 'axios';

const url = 'https://api-random-image.dataandapis.com/v1/image';
const { data } = await axios.get(url, {
  headers: { 'X-Api-Key': 'YOUR_API_KEY' }
});