eBay photo guide
How to take pictures for eBay
On eBay, especially for used items, your photos are the item description buyers trust most. They show condition, completeness and authenticity, and they protect you when a buyer later says an item was not as described.
eBay is also stricter than most marketplaces about what you can add to a photo. This guide covers the setup, the shot list, eBay's picture policy and the mistakes that get listings blocked or returned.
Quick answer
Photograph the actual item in soft light on a plain background, starting with a clear front view, then every side, the labels and any flaws. eBay recommends about 1600 × 1600 px (500 px minimum on the longest side), allows up to 24 photos, and bans added borders, text, artwork and watermarks of any kind.
- Minimum 500 px on the longest side; about 1600 × 1600 px recommended
- Up to 24 photos per listing, 12 MB each
- No borders, added text, artwork or watermarks of any type
- Used, damaged or defective items need real photos, not stock images
Step by step
- 01
Set up soft, even light
Shoot next to a large window in daylight with overhead bulbs switched off, so warm and cool light don't mix and shift your colors. Put a sheet of white foam board on the side away from the window to lift the shadows. Avoid direct midday sun and your phone's flash: both create hard glare and dark shadows that hide detail.
- 02
Use a plain, uncluttered background
A white wall, a sheet of poster board or a plain sheet works. Clutter makes items look less valuable and makes buyers unsure what is included. Check reflections and the background for personal details before you shoot.
- 03
Make the first photo a clear front view
Your first photo is the one buyers see in search results, so show the whole item, centered and filling most of the frame. eBay's recommended size is a square 1600 × 1600 px.
- 04
Photograph every side, label and flaw
Add the back, sides, top and bottom, then close-ups of brand labels, model numbers, size tags and anything a buyer would check in person. Photograph every flaw you mention in the description; showing the damage is your best protection against returns.
- 05
Show what's included
Lay out everything that ships, such as cables, manuals, boxes or accessories. If a part is missing, say so and show what you have. Never photograph extras you aren't including.
- 06
Edit lightly and keep it clean
Edit for brightness, straightness and white balance only. Filters and saturation boosts change how the item looks, and a buyer who receives a different color has a reason to complain. Don't add borders, text, logos or watermarks: eBay's picture policy prohibits them. Export at about 1600 px on the longest side so buyers can zoom in.
The shots to take
| Shot | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Front view, plain background | Your search result photo; the whole item, centered. |
| Back, sides, top and bottom | Buyers inspect every side they would check in person. |
| Labels, tags and model numbers | Confirms brand, size and model; supports your item specifics. |
| Flaws and wear | Shows condition honestly and protects you in disputes. |
| Everything included | Prevents 'missing parts' claims after the sale. |
| Working proof | For electronics: the item powered on, so buyers see it works. |
eBay photo rules
From eBay's own help pages, checked October 12, 2026. Full dimensions for every image slot are on the eBay image size page.
- Photos must be at least 500 pixels on the longest side; eBay recommends about 1600 × 1600 px.
- You can add up to 24 photos to each listing, up to 12 MB each.
- Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, WEBP, HEIC and AVIF.
- No added borders, text, artwork or marketing material, and no watermarks of any type, including ownership watermarks.
- No stock photos for used, damaged or defective items, and no placeholder images.
- Photos must accurately represent the item for sale.
Common mistakes
Adding 'FREE SHIPPING' or a logo to the photo
Put offers in the listing fields; eBay bans added text and artwork on photos.
Watermarking photos to stop copying
eBay prohibits watermarks of any type, including ownership ones.
Using a stock photo for a used item
Photograph the actual item; stock photos aren't allowed for used goods.
Hiding flaws
Photograph every flaw you describe; it prevents 'not as described' returns.
eBay photos by product type
Specific advice for the products that are hardest to photograph well.
Questions sellers ask
- What size should eBay photos be?
- At least 500 px on the longest side. eBay recommends about 1600 × 1600 px so buyers can zoom in.
- How many pictures can I put on an eBay listing?
- Up to 24 photos per listing, each up to 12 MB.
- Can I watermark my eBay photos?
- No. eBay's picture policy prohibits watermarks of any type, including those used for ownership attribution, as well as added borders, text and artwork.
- Can I use stock photos on eBay?
- Not for used, damaged or defective items. Those listings need photos of the actual item.
Sources: eBay picture policy, eBay Help: adding pictures. Checked October 12, 2026.
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