What is a wireframe?
A wireframe is a simple, low-detail layout of a page that shows structure without visual design.
Definition
Boxes and placeholder text show where content goes and in what order, before decisions about colour, type and imagery.
Why it matters
It lets you agree on structure and priorities quickly, before investing in detailed design.
How to get it right
- Focus on order and priority.
- Use real headings where possible.
- Keep it grey and simple.
- Test whether the main action is obvious.
Mistakes to avoid
- Polishing wireframes into designs
- Skipping straight to visuals
- Lorem ipsum everywhere
Related terms
- MockupA mockup is a static, detailed picture of how a page will look, with real colours, type and images.
- PrototypeA prototype is an interactive model of a page or product used to test how it works before it is fully built.
- Information architectureInformation architecture is how a website's content is organised, labelled and connected.
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More design terms
Questions, answered.
The things people ask before they start building.
What is a wireframe?
A wireframe is a simple, low-detail layout of a page that shows structure without visual design. Boxes and placeholder text show where content goes and in what order, before decisions about colour, type and imagery.
Why does Wireframe matter?
It lets you agree on structure and priorities quickly, before investing in detailed design.
How do you get wireframe right?
Focus on order and priority. Use real headings where possible. Keep it grey and simple. Test whether the main action is obvious.
Still stuck? Email usBuild something that doesn't look AI-made.
Describe the site you want. Watch it get designed, not just generated. Then publish it to its own orlume.site address.
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