Amazon, Etsy & eBay Product Photo Guide: Sizes & Rules for 2025

Published on May 28, 2024

Why Product Photography is the Key to E-commerce Success

On platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay, your product photos are your storefront, your salesperson, and your packaging all in one. High-quality images build trust, answer customer questions, and are often the single most important factor in a purchasing decision.

However, each platform has its own strict set of rules for image size, format, and content. Getting them wrong can lead to suppressed listings or a poor customer experience. This guide breaks down the essential requirements for each major marketplace.

Amazon: The Kingdom of Pure White

Amazon’s goal is to create a uniform, professional shopping experience. Their image requirements are the strictest, especially for the main “hero” image.

Main Image Requirements:

  • Background: MUST be pure white (RGB 255, 255, 255). This is non-negotiable. Lifestyle backgrounds are not allowed for the main image. You can use our Background Remover tool in ‘Color Key’ mode to achieve a perfect white background.
  • Product Coverage: The product itself should fill at least 85% of the image frame.
  • Dimensions: Images should be at least 1000 pixels on the longest side to enable the zoom feature. For best results, aim for 2000px or larger.
  • Prohibited Content: No text, logos, watermarks, or inset images are allowed on the main image. The product must be shown by itself.
  • File Format: JPEG is the preferred format. PNG and TIFF are also accepted.

Secondary Image Requirements:

  • After the main image, you have more freedom. Secondary images can and should show the product in a lifestyle context, with text overlays explaining features (infographics), and different angles.
  • The background does not have to be white.
  • These images are crucial for telling your product’s story and demonstrating its benefits.

Etsy: Where Creativity and Lifestyle Shine

Etsy encourages sellers to showcase their brand’s personality. While quality is still key, the rules are much more flexible than Amazon’s.

Image Requirements:

  • Dimensions: Etsy recommends your images be at least 2000 pixels on the shortest side. This ensures high quality on all devices.
  • Aspect Ratio: The recommended aspect ratio is 4:3. While you can upload other ratios, Etsy will crop them in certain views, so it’s best to stick to their recommendation. Use our Image Resizer & Cropper to get the perfect 4:3 crop.
  • Background: Lifestyle and creative backgrounds are highly encouraged! Show your product in a beautiful setting that reflects your brand’s aesthetic. White backgrounds are also fine but are not a requirement.
  • Number of Photos: You can upload up to 10 photos. Use all of them! Show different angles, details, scale, and the product in use.
  • File Format: JPG, PNG, and GIF are all accepted. Aim for a file size under 1MB to ensure fast loading times. Our Image Compressor can help with this.

eBay: A Balance of Professional and Practical

eBay sits somewhere between Amazon and Etsy. They encourage clean, professional photos but have slightly more relaxed rules than Amazon.

Image Requirements:

  • Dimensions: Your photos must be at least 500 pixels on the longest side. For the best quality and zoom capability, eBay strongly recommends 1600 pixels.
  • Background: A clean, uncluttered background is recommended. A solid white or light gray background is preferred as it helps your item stand out. Avoid distracting backgrounds.
  • Prohibited Content: Do not add borders to your photos. Avoid adding promotional text like “Free Shipping” or seller logos. A small, discreet watermark for ownership is allowed but generally discouraged in the main photo.
  • Number of Photos: You can upload up to 24 photos for free. The more photos you have, the more confident a buyer will be.

Universal Best Practices for All Platforms

  • Compress Your Images: Always compress your images before uploading. This ensures your listing page loads quickly for potential buyers, which is crucial for conversions. A file size between 200KB and 500KB is a great target.
  • Use Multiple Angles: Show the front, back, sides, top, and bottom of your product.
  • Show Scale: Include a photo of the product next to a common object (like a coin or a person’s hand) to give customers a clear idea of its size.
  • Highlight Details: Use close-up (macro) shots to show off materials, texture, and unique features.
  • Be Honest: Your photos should be an accurate representation of the product. Don’t over-edit or hide flaws.

By tailoring your product photography to each platform’s rules and following these best practices, you can create listings that not only look professional but also drive sales.

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