XKCD "Dependency" Meme Template
This template reproduces the XKCD comic 'Dependency' by Randall Munroe, depicting a tower of software infrastructure balanced on a single tiny block maintained by one anonymous volunteer. It is used to illustrate how modern systems rest on invisible, under-resourced foundations. The format resonates strongly with software engineers and anyone who recognizes critical single points of failure.
Caption this template- Category
- Situation Meme Templates
- Size
- 385 x 489 px
- Format
- Image
- Price
- Free, no sign up
Where the XKCD "Dependency" meme comes from
The original comic (XKCD #2347) was published by Randall Munroe in 2020 and went viral almost immediately in developer communities on Twitter and Hacker News. It encapsulated a widely felt anxiety about open-source software dependency chains and the fragility of critical infrastructure maintained by unpaid individuals.
How to caption the XKCD "Dependency" meme
Label the tall stack with a grand system or institution and label the tiny bottom block with the obscure, underfunded thing actually keeping it all running. The joke works best when the foundation block is something laughably specific and niche. Open it in the meme generator, or read how to make relatable memes for more.
XKCD "Dependency" caption ideas
Need a starting point? Try one of these on the XKCD "Dependency" template, then make it your own in the meme generator.
- Top block: "the entire modern web" / Tiny block: "one guy in Nebraska maintaining a date-parsing library since 2009"
- Top: "our company's whole deploy pipeline" / Tiny block: "a bash script Greg wrote before he quit"
- Top: "the family group chat staying functional" / Tiny block: "mom forwarding everything manually"
- Top: "all my passwords" / Tiny block: "a sticky note under the keyboard"
- Top: "the office coffee machine ecosystem" / Tiny block: "Karen who knows the secret descale code"
Best uses for the XKCD "Dependency" template
Use the XKCD "Dependency" template when the joke fits a situation format and the image can explain the feeling before the reader finishes the caption. It is strongest for relatable everyday moments, before-and-after jokes, and social observations.
This blank is 385 x 489 px and is a still image, so place the most important words where they stay readable after a feed crop. The tall frame gives you room for a short setup near the top and a payoff below the main subject.
The sample captions leave room for a setup and a punchline without turning into a paragraph. Before exporting, read the caption once without looking at the image; if it still needs a long explanation, switch to a simpler setup or a more obvious related template.
Caption patterns to try
| Pattern | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Top block: "the entire modern web" / Tiny block: "one guy in Nebraska maintaining a date-parsing library since 2009" | This works because it gives the reader a specific situation instead of a vague label. |
| Top: "our company's whole deploy pipeline" / Tiny block: "a bash script Greg wrote before he quit" | This pattern keeps the setup concrete, which helps the template carry the reaction. |
| Top: "the family group chat staying functional" / Tiny block: "mom forwarding everything manually" | This is a useful direction when you want the punchline to feel personal or self-aware. |
Common mistakes with this blank
- Writing a caption that explains the whole joke instead of letting the XKCD "Dependency" image do part of the work.
- Placing text over the most expressive part of the image, especially faces, gestures, signs, or the main action.
- Using three different ideas in one meme. This template works better when it points at one clear situation.
- Exporting before checking the meme at phone size. If the smallest words blur together, shorten the caption first.
