Key takeaways
- Go to Products > select a product > scroll to the Media section to add or replace images.
- Shopify accepts WebP, JPEG, PNG, HEIC and GIF image files.
- Compress each image to under 200KB before uploading for best performance.
- Drag images in the media section to reorder them after uploading.
To update product images in Shopify, open the product in Products, go to the Media section, then drag in new files, use the ⋯ menu to replace or delete one, and drag to reorder. Save when done.
Why you can trust us
We’ve built and customised hundreds of Shopify storefronts. We also build Fudge, the AI operator for Shopify stores, with a 4.9 rating on the Shopify App Store. Product page layouts, galleries included, are among the theme changes it drafts for stores.
How to add or replace a product image in Shopify
Step 1. From your Shopify admin, go to Products.
Step 2. Click the product you want to update.
Step 3. Scroll down to the Media section. You’ll see all existing images here.
Step 4. To add a new image, click the + button or drag and drop files directly into the media area. Shopify accepts WebP, JPEG, PNG, HEIC and GIF files.
Step 5. To replace an existing image, hover over it and click the … menu > Edit. You can swap it for a new file or update the alt text.
Step 6. Click Save at the top right.
File formats Shopify accepts
Shopify accepts these image formats for product media:
- WebP - best for quality-to-file-size ratio, ideal for most product shots
- JPEG - widely compatible, good for photos
- PNG - supports transparency, good for logos or images with flat backgrounds
- HEIC - the default iPhone photo format, accepted on upload
- GIF - animated images (though MP4 video is better for animated product demos)
Shopify’s maximum file size is 20MB per image, but you should stay well under that for performance.
For animated demos, see Add Video to a Shopify Product Gallery.
Why image compression matters
Page speed directly affects conversion rates. Large images slow down your product pages, and slow pages lose customers.
Before uploading, compress your images to under 200KB for most product shots. For hero-style images where quality is critical, aim for under 300KB.
Good free tools for compression:
- Squoosh (squoosh.app) - convert to WebP and set quality level manually
- TinyPNG - quick drag-and-drop compression for PNG and JPEG
- ezgif.com - for GIF optimization
Shopify does apply some automatic image optimization when serving images via its CDN, but it’s not a substitute for uploading well-compressed source files.
For the rest of the page-speed work, see Speed Up a Shopify Theme.
How many product images should you have?
There’s no fixed rule, but the most effective product pages typically include:
- 1-2 clean product-only shots on a white or neutral background
- 1-2 lifestyle shots showing the product in context
- A close-up showing texture or detail if relevant
- A size or scale reference image for physical products
More images are better than fewer, up to the point where they become repetitive. Most product pages work well with 4-8 images.
Consistent image sizing
Inconsistent image dimensions cause your product grid to look messy. Set a standard aspect ratio before uploading - square (1:1) and portrait (4:5) are the most common in Shopify themes.
If your images are different sizes, use a tool like Canva or Adobe Express to pad them to a consistent canvas before uploading.
How to delete a product image in Shopify
Hover over the image in the media section and click the … menu, then select Delete. Shopify will ask you to confirm before removing it permanently.
Note: deleting an image from a product does not delete it from your Shopify Files section. If you uploaded it to Files separately, you’d need to remove it there too.
When the Theme Editor is involved
The images section in the Products admin covers your product media gallery. But some images - like those used in featured product sections or promotional banners on product pages - are set inside the Theme Editor.
If you can’t find where to change an image and it’s not in the product admin, go to Online Store > Themes > Customize and look for it there.
For the rest of the product page, see Create a Shopify Product Page.
FAQ
What's the ideal image size for Shopify product images?
2048x2048px (square) is the standard recommendation - enough resolution to support zoom/loupe features, while Shopify's CDN serves down-scaled versions to actual viewports. Compress each image to under 200KB before uploading. For 4:5 portrait products (apparel), 2048x2560 works well.
Should I use square or portrait product images?
Square (1:1) for most stores — simpler grid layouts, consistent sizing, works for nearly any product type. Portrait (4:5) is conventional for apparel and lifestyle products where vertical proportion shows the product better. Pick one and apply consistently across the catalog — mixing aspect ratios makes collection grids look messy.
How does product image alt text affect SEO?
It contributes to image SEO (Google Image search) and accessibility (screen readers). Use descriptive alt text including a relevant keyword naturally — "Navy blue merino wool crew sock with reinforced heel" rather than "sock" or keyword-stuffed gibberish. Shopify auto-fills alt text from product titles if you don't set it explicitly.
Can I bulk replace product images in Shopify?
Not natively via drag-and-drop. Options: (1) Shopify CSV export/import: replace Image Src URLs in the spreadsheet, re-import; (2) bulk-edit apps from the App Store; (3) Admin API for programmatic replacement. CSV is the most accessible for non-developers.
Should my product gallery include lifestyle images or only product-only shots?
Both. Pure product-only shots (white background) on collection cards for clean grid uniformity; lifestyle and detail shots in the product page gallery for context and texture. For most categories, position 1 = product-only, position 2+ = lifestyle/detail/scale. Apparel is the exception — lifestyle in position 1 often converts better.
