Short answer: An Amazon main image must be shot on a pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255), the product must fill at least 85% of the frame, and the image must have a minimum side length of 1000 pixels. The main image must not contain text, logos, watermarks or borders, and files can be uploaded in JPEG, PNG, GIF or TIFF format. Images that break these rules can be removed from the listing or drag down your sales figures.
What are the Amazon main image requirements?
The Amazon main image is the photo where the product appears alone and realistically, with no distracting elements. The marketplace treats the main image as the "storefront" — it is the frame a customer sees first in search results and category listings.
The key points to follow for the main image are:
- The background must be pure white, matching the RGB value 255, 255, 255.
- The product must cover at least 85% of the frame, with no unnecessary empty space at the edges.
- No accessories, mannequins, background décor or other objects may appear alongside the product.
- No text, logos, watermarks, coloured borders or badges such as "new" or "sale" may be used.
- The main image must be a photograph; a real product photo is preferred over a drawing, illustration or 3D render.
- The entire product must be visible, with no cut-off or cropped parts.
For packaged products, the box itself is considered the product, so a photo of the box on a white background can be used. Handmade or custom-made categories may have some exceptions, so it is worth checking the current image guidelines for the relevant category before uploading.
What technical specifications must an Amazon product photo meet?
With Amazon product photos, the technical specifications determine whether the image can be uploaded at all and whether the zoom feature will work. The table below summarises the commonly required technical framework:
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Product ratio | At least 85% of the frame |
| Minimum side length | 1000 pixels (for zoom) |
| Recommended side length | 2000 pixels and above |
| Accepted formats | JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF |
| Recommended format | JPEG |
| Colour mode | sRGB |
| Maximum file size | Approximately 10 MB |
| Text / logo / watermark | Prohibited on the main image |
On images whose side length falls below 1000 pixels, Amazon's zoom feature is disabled, which means the customer cannot examine the product detail. A resolution of 2000 pixels and above supports both the zoom experience and sharpness on mobile devices. Choosing sRGB as the colour mode keeps the photo looking consistent across different screens.
How are Amazon product images prepared?
Amazon product images are prepared through a sequence of steps, from preparation before the shoot to checks after upload. The steps to follow are:
- Clean the product; remove details such as dust, fingerprints, label residue and loose threads.
- Make the light soft and diffused; harsh shadows distort the shape of the product.
- Shoot the product from at least two different angles and place the focus point on the product's main surface.
- After shooting, crop the frame so the product fills at least 85% of the image.
- Convert the background to pure white; if you need to keep a shadow, apply a soft, light shadow on the surface.
- Scale the image to a side length of 2000 pixels and save it in sRGB colour mode.
- Export in JPEG format at a reasonable file size and, before uploading, check that the white background really is 255, 255, 255.
For the background clean-up and white background step, you can use the AI Product Photo tool; to plan how to shoot your product from different angles, the AI Product Shot Suggestions tool helps you build a shot list. If you want to make your product description and title text consistent with the images, you can use the E-Commerce SEO Copywriter tool.
How do secondary images differ from the main image?
Secondary images are not subject to the strict rules of the main image and are far more flexible for telling the product's story. While the main image must show only the product on a white background, the second and later images can include lifestyle shots, different angles, size charts, packaging views, usage scenarios and comparison infographics.
Using text and graphics in secondary images is allowed, but this text must be accurate, readable and consistent with the product. Customers usually read size, compatibility and usage information from secondary images during the decision process. For this reason, it is useful to present data such as size tables, contents lists and compatibility information clearly on the image.
If you need to prepare images of the same product in different sizes for multiple marketplaces, you can consider the Marketplace Product Image tool, and during campaign periods the Product Poster Maker tool.
Which images are rejected under Amazon's image policy?
Text, logos, watermarks, borders and decorative elements in the main image are not accepted by Amazon. Alongside these, obscene or inappropriate content, images carrying another brand's logo, objects unrelated to the product and misleading representations are also grounds for rejection.
Common reasons for rejection include:
- Using a grey, off-white or coloured background instead of white in the main image.
- The product covering only a very small part of the frame.
- The image falling below 1000 pixels so that zoom does not work.
- Showing accessories in the photo that are not shipped with the product.
- Adding text containing price, discount or shipping information in Turkish or any other language.
When a rule violation is detected, Amazon generally removes the image and asks the seller to correct it; repeated violations can result in the listing being closed. Checking every image against a checklist before uploading therefore saves time.
Frequently asked questions
Should the product fill the entire frame in the main image?
No, it is enough for the product to cover at least 85% of the frame. The remaining area stays as white background and the edges of the product are not cropped.
Can I use a light grey background instead of white?
Not for the main image. The background in the main image must be pure white, RGB 255, 255, 255; light grey tones count as a violation and the image may be removed.
How many images can I upload per product?
Amazon generally allows up to 9 images per product in total, comprising one main image and several additional images. Since the upper limit can vary by category, it is worth checking the guidelines for the relevant category.
Does using AI to enlarge an image cause problems?
Resizing or editing the background with AI is not a rule violation, but the resulting image must show the product accurately and realistically. Edits that misleadingly change the product's colour, texture or proportions increase the risk of returns and complaints.
Can the product packaging appear in the main image?
For products sold in packaging, the box itself is considered the product, so a photo of the packaging on a white background can be the main image. If the product inside the packaging is not visible, it is safer to use the box photo on its own rather than adding the product next to the box.