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.
- Time
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- You’ll need
- Product photos in JPG, PNG, or WebP format
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 Upload new in the Media section to add images. Drag to reorder them — the first image is the main one. Use the media editor to crop. Assign an image to each variant so the right photo shows when a customer makes a selection.
What you'll need
- Product photos in JPG, PNG, or WebP format (Shopify says PNG works best, followed by JPEG)
- Recommended size: 2048 x 2048 pixels usually displays best for square images (the maximum is 5000 x 5000 pixels)
- File size: under 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 Upload new (or drag and drop files directly onto the area). To reuse an image that's already uploaded to your store, click Select existing instead.
Select your image files from your computer.
Wait for the upload to finish. Shopify processes each image. You will see thumbnails appear.
Click Save if Shopify shows a Save button.
Changing the order of images
The first image in the Media section is the main product image. Shopify shows it on collection pages, in the cart and at checkout. To change the order:
On the product page, find the Media section.
Drag the image you want as the main one into the first image's place.
Click Save if Shopify shows a Save button.
Editing an image (crop and resize)
Shopify has a built-in media editor for basic adjustments, such as cropping, resizing and rotating.
Click on an image in the Media section to open it.
Open the media editor using the edit icon on the image.
Click Crop and transform. Choose Freeform, Original (keeps the image's shape) or Square, drag to frame the part you want to keep, then click Apply.
Click Save to apply your changes.
Crop before uploading for best results
For consistency, we recommend cropping and optimizing images before uploading. Use the same shape (aspect ratio) for all your main product images so they display at the same size on collection pages. 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 including it can also help your SEO.
Click on an image in the Media section to open its Preview media page.
Click Add alt text and type a description. For example: Blue organic cotton tote bag with rope handles.
Click Save alt text, then click the X to close the preview.
Good alt text describes what is in the image specifically and naturally. Avoid stuffing it with keywords. Keep it short: the limit is 512 characters, and Shopify recommends 125 or fewer.
Assigning images to variants
If your product has variants (e.g. different colors), you can assign an image to each variant so the right photo appears when a customer selects it. Each variant can have one image, chosen from the product's media.
Upload all your variant images to the product's Media section.
In the Variants section, click the image icon next to the variant you want to update (e.g. "Blue").
Pick one of the product's images, or click Add image to upload a new one, then click Done.
Repeat for each variant.
Click Save to save the product.
Deleting an image
To remove an image from a product:
- Open the product, hover over the image in the Media section, tick its checkbox, and click Remove. This only removes it from the product. The file stays in your store until you delete it in Content → Files.
Common questions
What image size should I use?
Shopify says 2048 x 2048 pixels usually displays best for square product images. Images can be up to 5000 x 5000 pixels (25 megapixels) and must be smaller than 20 MB. Your theme may have its own recommendations. If you are unsure, ask us what we set up for your store.
Can I use the same image on multiple products?
Yes. In the product's Media section, click Select existing to pick an image that's already uploaded to your store. You can also upload images once in Content → Files and reuse them across products.
My images look blurry — what should I do?
Blurry images usually mean the original file was too small. Upload the largest, sharpest version you have (Shopify says 2048 x 2048 pixels usually displays best for square images). If you only have low-resolution images, a professional photographer can help.
How do I add video to a product?
In the Media section, click Upload new and select a video file (MP4, MOV or WEBM, up to 10 minutes and 1 GB). To embed a YouTube or Vimeo video instead, click Select existing, then Add from URL. You can add video on every plan, but how many videos and 3D models you can store depends on your plan. Your theme also needs to support video for it to show on the product page.
Related guides
- How to add a product
- Product variants (size, color, options)
- Writing product descriptions that sell
- Image basics for your website
- Troubleshooting Shopify problems
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