imagemacro

An image macro, in internet culture, is a meme consisting of a single image with overlaid text, typically used to convey a joke, observation, or social commentary. The image provides the situation or scenario, while the text adds the punchline, irony, or context. Most common formats place bold white caption text with a black outline across the image, often using the Impact font; captions may appear at the top, bottom, or elsewhere on the image. While many image macros adhere to a top-and-bottom layout, others employ a single caption or multiple text blocks. The term emphasizes the combined image and text element rather than a pure image or pure text meme.

Origins and usage have roots in early online communities and image boards such as Something Awful and 4chan, where users began layering captions on public domain or stock images to create quick, repeatable humor. The concept spread with the rise of meme generators and online image editing tools, enabling rapid production and sharing on sites like Reddit, Tumblr, and later social media platforms. Iconic examples—ranging from generic reaction captions to recognizable figures like Bad Luck Brian, Philosophy Phoretor, and various reaction images—illustrate the breadth of the format. Today, image macros remain a flexible, enduring form of meme, used for lighthearted humor, social critique, and cultural reference.

Creation and tools: Image macros are typically produced by adding text overlays to a single image, using software ranging from simple online Meme Generators to advanced editors. Common workflows involve choosing a suitable image, selecting a caption, and adjusting font size, line breaks, and placement for readability and impact. While the format is simple, successful macros often rely on recognizable images, concise wording, and a shared cultural context to achieve resonance.