canonical: https://jentic.com/apis/picsum.photos/picsum

# Picsum Photos Lorem Picsum API

The Lorem Picsum API serves placeholder images at any size with optional grayscale and blur effects. It returns a random image for a requested width and height, a specific image by id, or a deterministic image from a seed string, and exposes metadata for any image by id or seed. A paginated listing endpoint enumerates the available images. The service is open and needs no key, which makes it a quick source of filler imagery for prototypes and layouts.

## For AI agents

Fetch placeholder images at any width and height, by random, id, or seed, with optional grayscale and blur. Agents can also list available images and read image metadata.

## Scope

Does not store, host, or let you upload your own images. Use for fetching placeholder images and their metadata only.

## Capabilities

- Fetch a random placeholder image at any width and height
- Request a specific image by id at custom dimensions
- Generate a deterministic image from a seed string
- Apply grayscale and blur effects through query parameters
- List available images with pagination
- Read image metadata by id or seed

## Use cases

### AI Agent Placeholder Images

An AI agent connected through Jentic can drop filler imagery into a generated layout or preview without a human sourcing stock photos. The agent searches for the image operation, Lorem Picsum returns its input schema, and the agent requests an image at the width and height it needs. This is handy for mockups, email previews, and test fixtures.

Example prompt: Fetch a random placeholder image at 1200 by 630 for a preview card

### Deterministic Seeded Images

Generate a stable image from a seed string so the same seed always returns the same picture. This gives tests, snapshots, and shared designs a repeatable image instead of a random one that changes on every request.

Example prompt: Generate a deterministic image from a seed at 400 by 400

### Image Metadata Lookup

Read the metadata for an image by id or seed to get its author and original dimensions before using it. The paginated list endpoint enumerates available images so an application can pick from the catalog programmatically.

Example prompt: Retrieve the author and dimensions metadata for an image by id

## Key endpoints

| Method | Path | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GET | `/{width}/{height}` | Random placeholder image |
| GET | `/id/{id}/{width}/{height}` | Specific image by id at custom size |
| GET | `/seed/{seed}/{width}/{height}` | Deterministic image by seed |
| GET | `/v2/list` | List available images |
| GET | `/id/{id}/info` | Image metadata by id |
| GET | `/seed/{seed}/info` | Image metadata by seed |

## Key resources

- **Images** — Random, by-id, and seeded placeholder images at custom sizes
- **Effects** — Grayscale and blur applied through query parameters
- **Metadata** — Image metadata by id or seed, plus a paginated list

## AI readiness

This API is usable in Jentic One now. Its AI-readiness score against Jentic's framework shows where it stands today and where improvements would make it even easier for agents to use.

- **Score:** 72 / 100
- **Maturity:** AI-Aware
- **Dimensions:**
  - Foundational Compliance: 100 / 100
  - Developer Experience & Jentic Compatibility: 58 / 100
  - AI-Readiness & Agent Experience: 51 / 100
  - Agent Usability: 94 / 100
  - Security: 100 / 100
  - AI Discoverability: 83 / 100
- **View full report:** https://jentic.com/apis/picsum.photos/picsum/scorecard
- **How the score is calculated:** https://docs.jentic.com/reference/api-readiness-framework/overview/
- **More about the dimensions:** https://docs.jentic.com/reference/api-readiness-framework/specification/#dimensional-model-overview

### Score it yourself

Every API in the directory is allowlisted, so you can re-score it with no key required.

- **Score your own API:** https://jentic.com/scorecard.md
- **Scoring CLI agent skill:** https://github.com/jentic/jentic-api-scorecard/blob/main/skills/jentic-api-scorecard/SKILL.md

```sh
npx @jentic/api-scorecard-cli score <openapi-url>
```

## Why Jentic

- **Setup:** The Lorem Picsum API needs no key or auth, so there is nothing to wire up. Through Jentic you install once, import Lorem Picsum from the API Directory, and your agent calls it with no account, token, or sign-up step in the way.
- **Permission scoping:** Lorem Picsum is entirely read-only image delivery, so a rule can hold your agent to exactly the image and metadata operations you want. You choose the operations it may call, and because there is no account, there is nothing an agent could change.
- **Credential handling:** Lorem Picsum needs no API key, so there is nothing sensitive to hold. Jentic runs the image requests from your own infrastructure, and nothing is ever placed in the agent's prompt, logs, or context.
- **Discovery method:** Agents search Jentic by intent such as 'get a random placeholder image' or 'list available images', and Jentic returns the matching Lorem Picsum operation with its input schema so the agent builds the right request.

## Related APIs

- **Unsplash** — Real, high-resolution stock photos with search.
- **Pexels** — Free stock photos and videos with a search API.
- **RoboHash** — Generate placeholder avatars from any text.
- **imgix** — Real-time image processing and delivery via URL parameters.

## FAQ

### What authentication does the Lorem Picsum API use?

The Lorem Picsum API requires no authentication per its OpenAPI spec: its endpoints are open, so you can request images and metadata without a key or token. Through Jentic the API is imported like any other and called directly from your own infrastructure.

### Can I apply grayscale or blur to a Lorem Picsum image?

Yes. Request an image at the width and height you need, then add the grayscale or blur options as query parameters to transform the result. You can target a random image, a specific image by id, or a deterministic image by seed.

### Is there a Lorem Picsum MCP server?

You don't need an MCP server to give your agent Lorem Picsum. Jentic connects it directly from the API Directory: import the API and your agent calls the image and metadata endpoints it needs, with no extra server loaded into its context.

### Can I limit what my agent is allowed to do with Lorem Picsum?

Yes. Lorem Picsum only serves images and metadata, so you can allow just the image-fetch and metadata operations your agent needs. There is no account to change, and every call it makes is logged.

### What are the rate limits for the Lorem Picsum API?

The OpenAPI spec does not publish specific rate limits. Lorem Picsum is a free placeholder service, so pace your requests reasonably and cache images where you can. Check picsum.photos for current guidance.

### How do I fetch a placeholder image with Lorem Picsum through Jentic?

Search Jentic for an intent like 'get a random placeholder image', and it returns the Lorem Picsum image operation with its input schema so your agent calls it with a width and height. To run it on your own infrastructure, install Jentic One from its GitHub repo.