Meme Formats Explained

Every type of internet meme — from image macros to deep-fried shitposts — explained in plain language.

The Fundamentals

What Is a Meme?

Start here. The complete definition, history, and anatomy of internet memes.

Image Macro

Text over an image — the most classic and common meme format. Grumpy Cat, Drake, all of them.

Two-Panel Memes

Setup and punchline, before and after, approval and disapproval. The contrast format.

Reaction Memes

GIFs and images used to express emotions in response to something. The internet's emotional language.

Advanced Formats

GIF Memes

Animated reactions that capture the exact emotion you need to express.

Deep Fried Memes

Intentionally over-processed, oversaturated, maximum compression. Ironic authenticity.

Shitpost Memes

Low effort, surreal, or deliberately bad. The absurdist wing of meme culture.

Meta Memes

Memes about memes. Self-referential internet humor at its most recursive.

Meme Strategy

Viral vs Evergreen

Why some memes die in a week while others last for years.

2026 Trending Templates

What's hot right now in internet humor. The formats getting the most mileage.