Amazon Prep
Amazon Product Image Requirements: Main Image Rules Sellers Get Wrong
By Alice Wu, CEO & Founder Published
Short answer
Amazon's main image must show the product on a pure white background (RGB 255,255,255), filling about 85% of the frame, with no text, logos, watermarks or extra items. Use at least 1,000 px on the longest side to enable zoom. Secondary images have more freedom.
Amazon product image requirements are strictest for the main image. It must show the actual product on a pure white background (RGB 255,255,255), with the product filling about 85% of the frame. It must not include text, logos, watermarks, borders, or any item that is not included in the sale. Images should be at least 1,000 pixels on the longest side so shoppers can zoom. Secondary images have more freedom and can show lifestyle scenes, dimensions and feature callouts. Amazon’s rules vary by category, so confirm current requirements in Seller Central for your product type.
Most image rejections and listing suppressions come from small details: an off-white background, a shadow that reads as gray, a “Best Seller” badge, or an accessory in the shot that is not in the box. This guide covers the main image rules in detail, what secondary images can show, and the mistakes that cause problems.
Main Image Rules
The main image is the one shown in search results. Amazon applies its strictest standards here because it needs search results to look consistent.
Pure white background. The background must be pure white, RGB 255,255,255. Light gray, cream or a white backdrop that photographed slightly gray does not qualify. A studio photo often needs editing to bring the background fully to white.
Product fills about 85% of the frame. The product should take up roughly 85% of the image area. Small products floating in a large white space look weak in search and may not meet the guideline.
Show the actual product. The main image should be a professional photo of the product being sold, not a drawing or illustration. Render quality varies by category, so check the rules for yours.
No text, logos or graphics added. Do not add text overlays, brand logos, badges, watermarks, borders or color blocks. Logos printed on the product itself are fine because they are part of the product.
No extra items. Only show what the customer receives. If a phone case is sold alone, do not show it on a phone unless the phone is included.
Full product in frame. The product should not be cropped at the edges.
Technical Requirements
| Requirement | What Amazon expects |
|---|---|
| Background | Pure white, RGB 255,255,255, for the main image |
| Frame fill | Product fills about 85% of the image |
| Size for zoom | 1,000 px or more on the longest side enables zoom |
| Formats | JPEG (preferred), TIFF, PNG, GIF (non-animated) |
| Color mode | Check Seller Central; sRGB is the common choice for web |
| File naming | Follow Amazon’s naming rules if uploading in bulk |
Larger images give shoppers a better zoom view. Many sellers work with images well above 1,000 px on the longest side for this reason.
Main Image Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Use a pure white (255,255,255) background | Use light gray, cream or textured backgrounds |
| Fill about 85% of the frame with the product | Leave the product small in a large empty frame |
| Show the exact product and variant being sold | Show a different color or size than the listing |
| Include only items that come in the box | Add props, accessories or models not included |
| Keep the full product visible | Crop off parts of the product |
| Use a sharp, well-lit photo | Upload blurry, dark or pixelated images |
| Keep logos that are printed on the product | Add logos, badges, text or watermarks on top |
| Use 1,000 px or more on the longest side | Upload small images that cannot zoom |
What Secondary Images Can Show
Secondary images, the ones after the main image, have more room. They are where you explain the product. Commonly used formats include:
- Lifestyle images showing the product in use, in a realistic setting.
- Dimension images with measurements marked, so buyers know the size.
- Feature callouts with short text pointing to key features.
- Detail shots of materials, stitching, ports, closures or textures.
- What’s in the box images showing every included part.
- Packaging images if the packaging matters to the buyer, such as for gifts.
- Comparison or variant images showing color or size options, where allowed.
Secondary images must still be accurate. Do not show features the product does not have, and avoid claims that need proof, such as medical or performance claims. Check Seller Central for content rules in your category.
Common Rejection Causes
These are the problems that most often cause image rejections or listing suppressions:
- Background not pure white. The most common issue. Use an editing tool to check pixel values.
- Added text or badges on the main image, such as “New”, “Sale” or “Top Rated”.
- Watermarks or logos added to the photo.
- Props or extra items that are not included with the product.
- Product too small in the frame.
- Low resolution, which prevents zoom and looks poor.
- Wrong variant shown, such as a blue product on a red listing.
- Mannequins or models in categories where they are not allowed on the main image. Apparel has specific rules here.
- Placeholder or illustration images instead of a real photo.
Photographing Real Production Units
A practical point that is easy to miss: photograph the units that customers will actually receive. Samples made early in development often differ from mass production in color, finish or packaging. If the main image does not match the delivered product, it can lead to returns and negative reviews, and it can raise accuracy concerns.
Photographing finished production units, after inspection and before shipment, helps keep the listing accurate. It also gives you images of the final packaging, which is useful for “what’s in the box” shots.
FAQ
What background does Amazon require for the main image?
Pure white, RGB 255,255,255. Off-white or light gray backgrounds do not meet the requirement.
How big should Amazon product images be?
Images 1,000 px or more on the longest side enable zoom. Many sellers use larger images for a clearer zoom view. Check Seller Central for the current maximum file size.
Can I put text on my Amazon main image?
No. The main image should not include added text, logos, badges, watermarks or borders. You can use text in secondary images, such as feature callouts and dimension charts.
Which file formats does Amazon accept?
JPEG is preferred. TIFF, PNG and non-animated GIF are also accepted.
Product Photography from Production Units
If your goods are produced in China, it is often easiest to photograph them at the factory or warehouse once mass production is complete. We offer product photography of real production units, so your images show what buyers will actually receive. Confirm the final image rules for your category in Seller Central before uploading.