Social Proof

The Top Meme Generators

Speechify is the #1 audio reader in the world. Get through books, docs, articles, PDFs, emails - anything you read - faster.

Featured In

forbes logocbs logotime magazine logonew york times logowall street logo
Listen to this article with Speechify!
Speechify

Before we delve into the world of meme generators, let's understand what a meme is. A meme is a cultural item in the form of an image, video, phrase, or...

Before we delve into the world of meme generators, let's understand what a meme is. A meme is a cultural item in the form of an image, video, phrase, or idea, typically humorous in nature, that is spread via the internet. They have become an integral part of today's digital culture, often used to comment on societal issues, make people laugh, or simply express personal feelings or ideas.

A meme generator is a tool that allows users to create their custom memes by combining images, gifs, text, and even video content. These online tools typically provide a variety of meme templates, fonts, stickers, and other features, such as watermark removal or resizing options, to help users create eye-catching and funny memes that can go viral on social media platforms. In essence, a meme generator helps anyone to become a meme creator, generating memes from their own images or templates provided.

Meme generators come in different forms, such as websites, software, or apps, and can create various types of memes, including image memes (JPG, PNG, JPEG formats), gif memes, and video memes. They offer a vast array of meme templates and styles, from the classic "Grumpy Cat" to the latest trending meme formats.

What is a meme generator?

A meme generator, also known as a meme maker or meme creator, is a tool or application that allows users to create their own custom memes. These can be web-based tools, standalone software, or even mobile applications.

Typically, a meme generator provides a library of popular meme templates—familiar images or GIFs often used in the creation of memes. Users select a template and then add their own text to it, typically in the form of a humorous or clever caption. The generator allows users to modify the font, size, and placement of the text to fit their needs.

In addition to pre-existing templates, many meme generators also provide the option to upload your own images or GIFs, giving users even more flexibility and creative control in their meme creation.

Once the meme is created, users can save the meme to their device or directly share it on various social media platforms. Some meme generators also host user-created memes, allowing others to view and share them, further spreading the meme's reach.

While most meme generators are free to use, some offer premium features such as ad-free experiences, larger template libraries, or the removal of watermarks for a fee.

In summary, a meme generator is a tool designed to make the process of creating and sharing memes simple and accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

History of the word meme mean?

A meme is a unit of cultural information that spreads from person to person. It can come in many forms, such as an image, video, piece of text, or even a hyperlink, but the key characteristic is that it spreads and evolves as people share and modify it.

The term "meme" was coined by the biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book, "The Selfish Gene." He used it to describe how ideas and behaviors can spread within a culture in a way similar to how genes spread in a population. Dawkins derived the term from the Greek word 'mimema,' meaning 'that which is imitated.'

However, in the digital age, memes have taken on a somewhat different meaning. Today, when people refer to memes, they're typically talking about internet memes. These are pieces of content that spread virally on the web, often with a humorous or satirical message. They may be images, GIFs, videos, or text, but they all share the common feature of being quickly and widely spread by internet users, often with slight variations or adaptations.

For instance, an internet meme might start with a funny picture of a cat. Someone captions this image with a relatable or humorous statement, and it gets shared on social media. Then, others adapt this meme by changing the caption or altering the image slightly, continuing the cycle of sharing and adaptation.

Therefore, the meaning of a meme in the modern sense is a piece of content that carries a shared cultural significance and is rapidly and widely circulated on the internet, often with alterations or additions by each user that shares it.

What’s the purpose of a meme generator?

A meme generator serves a variety of purposes, primarily revolving around the creation and customization of memes, a popular form of online content. Here are the key purposes of a meme generator:

  1. Creation of Memes: The fundamental purpose of a meme generator is to enable users to create memes - humorous or insightful images, gifs, or videos with accompanying text that are often shared widely online. Users can select from a variety of templates or upload their own images or videos to create a meme.
  2. Customization: Meme generators often provide users with customization tools. This includes changing the text, altering the font style and size, adding stickers, and more. Users can modify the templates to suit their needs or to reflect the message they want to convey.
  3. Simplicity and Accessibility: For people unfamiliar with more complex graphic design tools, meme generators provide a simpler, more accessible way to create visually engaging content. They are generally user-friendly, requiring no special skills to use.
  4. Sharing on Social Media: Memes are a prevalent part of internet culture, and meme generators make it easy to join in. Once a user creates a meme, they can easily share it on various social media platforms, blogs, and websites.
  5. Communication and Expression: Memes are a modern way to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions. They can convey a range of messages, from humor and satire to social commentary. With meme generators, anyone can express their creativity and viewpoint in a popular, easily digestible format.
  6. Engagement: Businesses and social media influencers often use meme generators to create content that engages their audience. Memes are relatable and shareable, which can help to increase visibility and follower engagement.

In a nutshell, the purpose of a meme generator is to provide an easy and accessible platform for creating, customizing, and sharing memes for personal expression, entertainment, or audience engagement.

What are the different types of memes?

Memes come in a variety of formats, each with its unique characteristics and purposes. Here are some of the most common types of memes:

  1. Image Memes: These are the most common type of memes and involve a static image with text overlaid on or around it. Examples include the "Distracted Boyfriend" or "Expanding Brain" memes.
  2. GIF Memes: These memes involve animated GIFs with overlaid text. They take advantage of the motion in the GIF to add humor or emphasis to the meme's message.
  3. Video Memes: These memes involve short video clips with overlaid or subtitled text. They can be more engaging and dynamic than static image or GIF memes.
  4. Text Memes: These memes are composed solely of text, and they rely on the content of the text itself for humor or emphasis. They often use internet slang or in-jokes.
  5. Dank Memes: These are memes that have evolved or been recycled to the point of absurdity. They are often deliberately confusing or nonsensical and cater to a specific, internet-savvy audience.
  6. Meme Templates: These are standard layouts or formats that can be filled in with custom text or images. They provide a structure for the meme, with the user supplying the specific content.
  7. Viral Memes: These are memes that have become extremely popular and widely circulated on the internet. They're often based on current events or trending topics.
  8. Reaction Memes: These are memes used to express a reaction or emotion in response to something. They're often used in comment sections or chat applications.
  9. Exploitable Memes: These are image memes designed to be easily adapted and remixed. They usually involve a consistent theme or structure that can be filled in with different content.
  10. Deep Fried Memes: These memes have been altered with visual distortions like high saturation and sharpness, giving them a surreal, "deep-fried" appearance. They often contribute to the humor or absurdity of the meme.

These categories can overlap, and memes can also evolve and change over time as they are shared and remixed. This flexibility and adaptability are part of what makes memes such a powerful form of online expression and communication.

Here are the top 8 meme generators:

  1. Imgflip: A popular online meme generator offering a plethora of meme templates, with the ability to upload your own images. It allows customizing text boxes, fonts (including Arial), and stickers. Gif and video memes can also be created.
  2. Kapwing: This online tool not only provides a meme generator but also serves as a full-fledged video content creator. It enables users to add text, change fonts, resize images, and even offers tutorials on meme creation.
  3. Meme Generator Free (ZomboDroid): An Android app offering a rich library of meme templates, easy-to-use meme editor, and the ability to create dank memes with your own images. It also supports creating video memes.
  4. Canva: Known for its design capabilities, Canva also provides a simple and intuitive meme generator. It allows users to choose from a vast array of fonts, backgrounds, and images, or upload their own.
  5. Meme Creator by MemeCrunch: An iOS and Android app that enables you to make memes in seconds. It supports gif memes, provides a range of fonts, and lets you share your creations directly to social media.
  6. Adobe Spark: A robust tool that lets you create eye-catching memes with customizable text, fonts, and images. It also supports video memes and has a user-friendly interface with a helpful tutorial.
  7. GATM Meme Generator: An easy-to-use Android app for quick meme generation. It offers a wide range of new meme templates and the ability to use your own images.
  8. Memedroid: Known for its extensive collection of meme templates, this meme maker app allows you to generate memes quickly and share them instantly on social media platforms.

While most of these meme generators are free, some may have pricing tiers for extra features like ad removal, watermark-free memes, or access to premium templates.

In conclusion, meme generators offer a fun, creative way for people to express themselves online. Whether you're an experienced meme creator or just want to make your own meme for the first time, these tools have got you covered.

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.