Product images & galleries
How to add, arrange, and manage product images and galleries in Shopify, including image size tips and how to assign images to variants.
Great product images are one of the most important parts of your store. Shopify makes it straightforward to upload multiple photos, arrange them in order, and connect specific images to specific variants.
Quick summary
On any product page, click Add media to upload images. Drag to reorder them — the first image is the main one. Use the image editor to crop. Assign images to specific variants so the right photo shows when a customer makes a selection.
What you'll need
Beginner 5 minutes- Product photos in JPG, PNG, or WebP format
- Recommended size: at least 2048 x 2048 pixels for crisp zoom
- Maximum file size: 20 MB per image
How to add images to a product
Go to Products in your Shopify admin and open the product you want to update.
In the Media section, click Add media (or drag and drop files directly onto the area).
Select your image files from your computer. You can select multiple files at once.
Wait for the upload to finish. Shopify processes each image. You will see thumbnails appear.
Click Save to apply the changes.
Changing the order of images
The first image in the Media section is the main product image — the one customers see in collections and search results. To change the order:
On the product page, find the Media section.
Click and drag any image to a new position. The leftmost image becomes the main image.
Click Save.
Editing an image (crop and zoom)
Shopify has a built-in image editor for basic adjustments.
Click on an image in the Media section to open it.
Click Edit image (or the pencil icon) to open the editor.
Use the crop tool to remove empty space or focus on the product.
Click Save to apply your changes.
Crop before uploading for best results
For consistency, we recommend cropping and optimizing images before uploading. Square images (1:1 ratio) work well for most themes. If you have questions about image preparation, check the image basics guide or ask us.
Adding alt text to images
Alt text is a short description of an image. It helps visually impaired customers who use screen readers, and it also helps Google understand your product images.
Click on an image in the Media section.
Click the alt text field (labeled "Add alt text") and type a description. For example: Blue organic cotton tote bag with rope handles.
Click Save alt text, then Done.
Good alt text describes what is in the image specifically and naturally. Avoid stuffing it with keywords.
Assigning images to variants
If your product has variants (e.g. different colors), you can assign specific images to each variant so the right photo appears when a customer makes a selection.
Upload all your variant images to the product's Media section.
Click on an image you want to assign.
In the image panel on the right, use the variant selector to choose which variant this image belongs to (e.g. "Blue").
Repeat for each variant image.
Save the product.
Deleting an image
To remove an image from a product:
- Open the product, click on the image in the Media section, and click Delete (or the trash icon). Click Save.
Common questions
Related guides
- How to add a product
- Product variants (size, color, options)
- Writing product descriptions that sell
- Image basics for your website
Need a hand?
Learn more
Product variants (size, color, options)
How to add variants to a Shopify product so customers can choose from different sizes, colors, or other options before buying.
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