eBay photo requirements: size, file limits, and backgrounds

eBay photo requirements: every listing needs at least one photo that shows exactly the item you're selling, at least 500 pixels on its longest side (eBay suggests 800–1,600), and up to 7 MB per file. Borders, added text or logos, and watermarks are not allowed, and stock photos are not allowed for pre-owned items.

eBay's rules are quoted from its seller guide page Photo tips, read on 2026-09-29. eBay notes that its screenshots come from www.ebay.com, so wording may differ on other eBay sites. Sume facts come from the Sume API reference and the API pricing rate card.

What are eBay's photo rules?

eBay says items in Vehicle Parts & Accessories; Cars, Bikes, Boats; Books; and Tickets may be exempt from some of these requirements.

What size should eBay photos be?

Aim for 800 to 1,600 pixels on the long side, and never under 500. eBay also advises:

• Put the item in the middle of the frame, filling 80–90% of it, with at least one photo showing it whole.
• Show flaws clearly, and take close-ups of the top, bottom and sides.
• The first photo is the gallery photo shown in search results, normally at 96 pixels; Gallery Plus shows up to 400 × 400 on hover, for a fee that applies whether or not the item sells (free in some categories).
• eBay stores pictures for 90 days, so check that an image hasn't expired if an upload fails.

How do I get a white background on eBay photos?

Shoot the item against a plain white or neutral backdrop; eBay suggests a dark one for shiny items like bright jewelry. eBay's own uploader can also remove the background, and in the eBay app the Background tool can change it to solid white.

To cut out many photos at once, Sume's background removal (POST /v1/rmbg-1.0/remove) takes your own photo at a public HTTPS image_url and returns a PNG with alpha, at $0.0225 per image. Place that cutout on white in any image editor before you upload. More in White background product photo with AI.

Can I use AI to fix eBay listing photos?

Only in ways that keep the photo accurate. eBay bans photos that don't accurately represent the item, so don't use a generated item or a generated scene in place of your own photo. eBay's app offers AI-generated backgrounds of its own; if you use one, keep the scene free of props, which eBay advises against because they may confuse buyers about what's included.

For a photo under 500 pixels, Sume Image Upscale (POST /v1/image-upscale-1.0/upscale) takes a public HTTPS image_url, an upscale_factor from 1 to 4 (default 2) and an output_format of png, jpg or webp, at $0.20 per image. Ask for png or jpg: in current code a webp request still returns PNG. Compare the result with the item, including its flaws, before you list it.