Ever uploaded a photo to Etsy only to have it look... weird? Maybe blurry when someone zooms in, or awkwardly cropped in search results? Yeah, we've all been there. This guide will show you exactly what dimensions and formats actually work best, so your products look amazing and sell more.
Here's the thing - Etsy technically requires at least 2000 pixels on the longest side, but I always tell people to go with 2000 x 2000 (square). Why? Three really good reasons:
Square images look perfect everywhere on Etsy. Search results, category pages, your product page - they never get weirdly cropped.
At 2000px, customers can zoom in to see all the little details. This builds trust and seriously cuts down on "what does the back look like?" messages.
It's the sweet spot - big enough for quality, but when you compress it properly, it still loads fast for people shopping on their phones.
So Etsy lets you upload 10 images per listing. But here's what most people miss - the order you put them in actually affects whether people buy or bounce. After looking at tons of conversion data, here's what works best:
This is your first impression in search results, so make it count. Clean background, full product in view, and your absolute best shot. Think catalog-style.
Now show your product in action. Someone wearing that necklace, that mug on a cozy breakfast table - whatever helps people imagine it in their life.
Get in close. Show the texture of the fabric, the back view, any special details. These shots answer questions before they're even asked, which means fewer returns later.
This one's huge. Show your product next to a hand, a quarter, a ruler - something people can relate to. Online shopping's biggest challenge is that you can't tell how big something actually is.
If your packaging is nice (or you know your product gets bought as a gift a lot), show it off. Otherwise, skip this and use more product detail shots.
| Platform | Recommended Size | Minimum Size | Max Images |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etsy | 2000 x 2000 | 2000 x 1500 | 10 images |
| Shopify | 2048 x 2048 | 1024 x 1024 | 250 images |
| Amazon | 2000 x 2000 | 1000 x 1000 | 9 images |
Pro Tip: Honestly? Just use 2000 x 2000 for everything. It works on all platforms and keeps your life simple. No need to maintain different versions for different sites.
This is a big one. Etsy will literally show your listing less in search if your images are too small. It's like paying for rent but only using half the storefront.
Remember, that first image shows up tiny in search results. A busy background that looks fine full-size turns into a confusing blob as a thumbnail. Keep it clean.
I get it - you want to protect your work. But Etsy's pretty strict about this. No promotional text, no borders, no "contact us at..." stuff on the images. They'll actually take your listing down.
Here's a stat that changed my mind about this: listings with 7+ images convert significantly better than those with just a couple. Etsy gives you 10 slots - use them!
When image #1 is bright and professional, then #2 is dark and grainy, then #3 has a totally different background... it looks like you don't have your act together. Consistency builds trust.
Natural lighting is your best friend. Near a window works great. Clean background, make sure it's in focus. Honestly, modern phone cameras are totally fine for this.
Use free tools or generate perfect images with AI.
This is where you get sneaky efficient. Compress those JPGs to 70-80% quality - you won't see the difference, but your load times will thank you.
Lead with your best, cleanest shot (that's what shows up in search). Follow up with lifestyle shots to build the story, then hit them with the details.
Don't skip this. Be specific and descriptive - "handmade blue ceramic mug front view" beats "mug" every time. Good for accessibility AND your SEO.
Look, if you're thinking "this sounds like a lot of work" - I hear you. AI can now generate all 10 of your Etsy images at 2000x2000, with different angles, backgrounds, and even lifestyle scenes. Takes about 5 minutes.
Every image comes out at perfect 2000x2000 - no resizing needed
All 10 of your Etsy photos, done faster than you can make coffee
White backgrounds, lifestyle scenes, close-ups - looks like you hired a photographer
Etsy's minimum is 2000 pixels on the longest side, but go with 2000 x 2000 (square). It displays consistently everywhere on Etsy, meets the zoom requirements, and loads fast. Simple as that.
All 10, every time. Etsy gives you 10 slots - use them. Listings with 7+ images convert significantly better than skimpy galleries. Mix in product shots, lifestyle photos, details, and size references.
Absolutely. If you've got an iPhone 12 or newer, or a recent Android, your camera's already shooting way above 2000 pixels. Just use good natural light (window light is perfect), keep the background clean, and make sure it's in focus. You're good to go.
Square wins. A 1:1 ratio displays perfectly in Etsy search without getting cropped weird. You can throw in some portrait (4:5) shots for variety in your lifestyle images, but definitely keep that first image square.
First image? White or super clean. It needs to pop in those search results. After that, get creative - styled backgrounds, lifestyle settings, whatever tells your product's story. Just keep image #1 simple.
Yeah, and it's gotten really good. Tools like Ailee can take one basic photo and generate all 10 of your Etsy images at 2000x2000 - different angles, backgrounds, lifestyle scenes, the works. Especially handy if you're a maker who'd rather spend time creating than doing photo shoots.
