Facepalm Meme Generator
Use this when the joke is not anger but weary embarrassment: someone hears, reads, or realizes something so stupid, predictable, or self-defeating that the only response is a facepalm. It fits setups where the first line states the bad take or mistake and the second line delivers the exasperated reaction or the awful consequence that triggered it.
Also known as Picard Facepalm, Captain Picard Facepalm, Jean-Luc Picard Facepalm, Facepalm Picard.
Make a Facepalm meme
What the Facepalm meme means
A still from Star Trek: The Next Generation shows Captain Jean-Luc Picard slumped in a chair with his hand covering his face in frustration. The frame has open space above his head and across his red uniform for captions, with no baked-in text in the original image.
Use this when the joke is not anger but weary embarrassment: someone hears, reads, or realizes something so stupid, predictable, or self-defeating that the only response is a facepalm. It fits setups where the first line states the bad take or mistake and the second line delivers the exasperated reaction or the awful consequence that triggered it.

- Caption boxes
- 2
- Tone
- exasperated
- Status
- classic
- Origin
- Know Your Meme entry
What goes in each caption box
Box 1: the bad statement or mistake being witnessed
Write the clueless quote, decision, or realization that makes the viewer mentally check out; short, specific phrasing lands best. Keep it to about 8 words so it stays readable.
Box 2: the exasperated reaction or why it is painful
Use this space for a dry reaction, a clarifying punchline, or the obvious consequence that makes the facepalm justified. Keep it to about 10 words so it stays readable.
Facepalm meme examples
Questions about the Facepalm meme
- What does the Facepalm meme mean?
- A still from Star Trek: The Next Generation shows Captain Jean-Luc Picard slumped in a chair with his hand covering his face in frustration. The frame has open space above his head and across his red uniform for captions, with no baked-in text in the original image. Use this when the joke is not anger but weary embarrassment: someone hears, reads, or realizes something so stupid, predictable, or self-defeating that the only response is a facepalm. It fits setups where the first line states the bad take or mistake and the second line delivers the exasperated reaction or the awful consequence that triggered it.
- How many captions does the Facepalm template have?
- It has 2 caption boxes: box 1 is the bad statement or mistake being witnessed, box 2 is the exasperated reaction or why it is painful.
- How do I make a Facepalm meme?
- Describe your situation in one line and the generator picks the wording for each caption box, places it on the Facepalm template and gives you a PNG to download. No account is needed to browse formats.
Similar meme formats
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