Mercari US · Photo requirements
Mercari photo requirements (2026): 12 photos and your own pictures
Mercari US allows up to 12 photos per listing and recommends plain backgrounds and natural light. What Mercari says about copied images and what it doesn’t specify.
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Key takeaways
- You can add up to 12 photos to a Mercari listing, and rearrange them any time.
- Mercari says plain backgrounds are best and recommends natural light to capture the item’s exact color.
- Use photos you took yourself. Listings with images copied from brand sites or other listings can be reported and removed.
- Mercari doesn’t officially specify a pixel size, aspect ratio, file size or file format in the help pages we checked.
Mercari keeps its photo guidance practical: show the item honestly, from every side, in good light. Here’s exactly what its US Help Center says.
Mercari photo requirements at a glance
| Requirement | What Mercari says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of photos | Up to 12 photos per listing | Creating a listing |
| Size, aspect ratio, file size and format | Not officially specified | n/a |
| Background | Plain backgrounds are best, so there aren’t any distractions | Creating a listing |
| Lighting | Natural lighting to capture the item’s exact color | Creating a listing |
| First photo | The first thing shoppers see, so make it your best | Creating a listing |
| Copied images | Images copied from brand owners’ websites or someone else’s listing can be reported and removed | Copyright tips |
What Mercari wants to see
- Every side of the item
- Clear photos that call out any flaws
- True color, which is why Mercari suggests natural light
- Your own photos rather than images from a brand site, an ad or another seller
Mercari’s copyright tips note that naming the copyright owner or adding a disclaimer doesn’t protect a listing that uses someone else’s photo. Its listing guide also says more accurate listings appear higher in search results.
How Photolister handles Mercari photos
- Background removal turns a cluttered room into the plain background Mercari recommends, while keeping your own photo of the item
- Consistent framing makes a group of listings look organized in your profile
- Photolister has no Mercari-specific preset. Mercari doesn’t publish a size, so the standard 2000 × 2000 download is a reasonable starting point rather than an official target
- Compare color and flaws with the original; Mercari’s guidance is about showing the exact item
Your first five photos on Photolister’s free trial include standard 2000 × 2000 downloads in Studio White, Pure White, Concrete or Transparent. Marketplace export presets, restyles and custom backgrounds come with a one-time paid photo pack. Presets prepare files; they don’t guarantee a marketplace will accept a listing.
For clothing, read how to make resale photos look like a set. Cross-listing? Compare every platform in the marketplace photo requirements table.