Fake Data Generator: Realistic Synthetic Records, Zero Uploads
A fake data generator creates realistic-looking but entirely synthetic records — names, emails, IDs, coordinates, amounts — so you can test, demo, and share software without touching real personal data. CSV.si is a free fake data generator that runs 100% in your browser: you pick the columns, set a row count, and download a CSV. Nothing is uploaded, stored, or logged, so it is safe to use with regulated projects where production data cannot leave your machine.
Generate fake data in four steps
- Open the [generator](https://csv.si/) — no account, no install.
- Add a column for each field you need and choose its type: UUID, Name, Email, Geo, or Finance.
- Set the row count (1 to 100,000) and check the live preview table.
- Click Download CSV. The file is built in memory and saved straight from the browser.
What makes the data 'realistic'
Synthetic data is only useful if it stresses your code the way real data does. CSV.si generators produce values with real-world shape:
| Type | Sample value | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| UUID | 9f1c0f3e-58a2-4a1b-9a2e-6b1a2f0f0f11 | Primary keys, idempotency keys |
| Name | Grace Hopper | Display fields, sorting, unicode handling |
grace.hopper@example.com | Validation, uniqueness constraints | |
| Geo | 48.8566, 2.3522 | Maps, distance queries, bounding boxes |
| Finance | 1284.35 | Currency rounding, totals, decimal precision |
Because values are randomly drawn per row, you get duplicates, long names, and edge-case amounts — the things that break naive parsers.
Fake data vs. anonymized production data
Anonymizing a production export is risky: re-identification through quasi-identifiers is common, and a partially scrubbed dump still counts as personal data under GDPR, UK GDPR, and CCPA. Fake data has no link to a real person at all, so it can be committed to a repo, pasted into a ticket, or shared with a contractor.
Use fake data for local development, CI fixtures, demos, screenshots, load tests, and training environments. Keep real data only where you genuinely need production behaviour — and keep it in production.
Why local-only generation matters
Most online fake data generators run on a server: your schema (and sometimes your seed data) travels over the network. CSV.si never sends anything — the generator is JavaScript executing in your tab. Practical consequences:
- Privacy: your column names, which often mirror your real schema, stay on your machine.
- Speed: 100k rows generate in about a second with no round-trip.
- Offline: once the page is loaded, it keeps working without a connection.
- No limits or accounts: nothing to rate-limit, nothing to sign up for.
Wiring fake CSVs into your workflow
Seed a Postgres table straight from the download:
psql -d dev -c "\copy users(id,name,email) FROM 'users.csv' CSV HEADER"
Or load it as a test fixture in Python:
import csv
with open('users.csv', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as f:
users = list(csv.DictReader(f))
For larger seeding strategies, see the [database seeding guide](https://csv.si/guides/bulk-csv-generator-for-database-seeding); for developer-focused fixtures, see [CSV test data for developers](https://csv.si/guides/csv-test-data-for-developers).
Frequently asked questions
Is this fake data generator free?
Yes. CSV.si is free with no account, no row paywall, and no watermark on exports.
Is the generated data safe to share publicly?
Yes. Every value is randomly synthesized in your browser and has no relationship to any real person, so there is no personal data to protect.
Can any generated email reach a real inbox?
Addresses use example-style domains and random local parts, so they are not deliverable. Never use them as real recipients.
How many rows can I generate at once?
Up to 100,000 rows per CSV. For larger sets, generate several files and concatenate them.
Does the data leave my computer?
No. Generation and CSV export both happen in the browser tab; nothing is uploaded to a server.