Shopify Product Media
Flexible image standards with high limits, but consistency and optimization are key for a professional storefront.
Shopify offers flexible image standards with generous limits, making it suitable for various types of products and themes. While the platform accepts images up to 5000 x 5000 pixels and 20MB file sizes, the key to success is finding the right balance between quality and performance. Properly optimized images not only look professional but also load faster, improving user experience and SEO rankings.
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See if your photo meets the official shopify requirements.
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Supports JPG, PNG
Technical Requirements
| Minimum Dimensions | 800 x 800 px |
|---|---|
| Recommended Size | 2048 x 2048 px |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1 (Square) |
| Max File Size | 20 MB |
| File Type | jpeg, png, gif, webp |
| Background | No strict requirement |
Visual Guidelines
Do's
- Use 2048 x 2048 pixels for optimal quality and speed balance
- Keep all product images the same aspect ratio (square 1:1 recommended)
- Use clear, high-resolution images with proper lighting
- Optimize file sizes under 100KB for faster page loads
- Test images at 400px to ensure they look good as thumbnails
- Use center-weighted composition for better mobile display
Don'ts
- Avoid inconsistent image sizes across products
- Don't use files larger than 20MB (Shopify limit)
- Avoid images larger than 5000 x 5000 pixels (25 megapixels)
- Don't use busy backgrounds that distract from the product
- Avoid upscaling small images as they appear pixelated
Best Practices
- 1Use 2048 x 2048px: This is the sweet spot for product images. It provides enough resolution for zoom functionality while keeping file sizes manageable for fast loading.
- 2Maintain Consistency: Keep all product images at the same aspect ratio (preferably square 1:1) to ensure your store looks professional and organized.
- 3Optimize File Sizes: Compress images to under 100KB without losing quality. Large files slow down your store and hurt your search engine rankings.
- 4Test at Thumbnail Size: View your images at 400px wide to ensure they still look clear and professional when displayed as thumbnails in collection pages.
- 5Center Your Subject: Use center-weighted composition so the main product focal point remains visible even when images are cropped on mobile devices.
- 6Use Proper Lighting: Bright, even lighting makes products look professional and appealing. Avoid harsh shadows or overexposed areas.
- 7Multiple Angles: Provide 4-8 images showing different angles, details, and lifestyle shots to give customers a complete understanding of your product.
Common Issues
Images load slowly
Your images are likely too large in file size. Compress them to under 100KB using image optimization tools. The recommended 2048 x 2048px size is optimal for most products.
Images look pixelated when zoomed
Upload images at least 2048 x 2048 pixels. Images smaller than 800px on the shortest side will appear blurry when customers try to zoom in.
Images appear inconsistent
Ensure all product images use the same aspect ratio (square 1:1 is best). Mix different ratios can make your store look unprofessional.
Upload failed with file size error
Reduce your image file size to under 20MB. For high-resolution photos, compress them or resize to 2048 x 2048 pixels which is more than sufficient.
Images look good on desktop but bad on mobile
Test your images at small sizes (400px wide). Use center-weighted composition and ensure text or important details remain readable when scaled down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What is the best aspect ratio for Shopify?
Square (1:1) is the most common and versatile aspect ratio for Shopify themes, ensuring images look good on both mobile and desktop. However, Shopify supports various aspect ratios depending on your theme.
Q.What's the maximum image size Shopify accepts?
Shopify accepts images up to 5000 x 5000 pixels or 25 megapixels, with a maximum file size of 20MB per image.
Q.What image size should I use for my products?
The ideal size is 2048 x 2048 pixels. This provides excellent quality for zoom while maintaining fast loading speeds. Images smaller than 800px may look pixelated when zoomed.
Q.Does Shopify compress my images?
Shopify automatically optimizes images but doesn't aggressively compress them. For best results, optimize your images before upload to keep file sizes under 100KB while maintaining quality.
Q.How many images can I upload per product?
You can upload up to 250 images, 3D models, or videos per product. However, 4-8 high-quality images are typically sufficient for most products.