Mercari Photo Size Guide (2026)

Mercari displays all listing photos as squares in the feed and search results. If you upload a non-square image, Mercari crops it to 1:1 from the center.

The recommended resolution is 1080×1080 pixels. Higher resolution is fine — Mercari will downscale. Photos below 640px look blurry on modern screens.

Your first photo is the cover image that shows in search. Make it count — clear, well-lit, and showing the full item.

Mercari compresses uploaded images to reduce file size. Uploading already heavily compressed photos leads to double compression artifacts — blurry details and color banding.

Upload at JPEG 85% quality for the best balance between file size and clarity.

Mercari does not consistently strip EXIF metadata. Your GPS coordinates, camera model, and timestamps may remain embedded. For sellers photographing at home, this means your address could be accessible. Strip metadata before uploading.

Use natural light. Photograph near a window during daytime. Avoid flash — it washes out colors and creates harsh shadows.

Show scale. Include a common object for size reference, or hold the item in hand. Mercari buyers can't try things on — help them visualize.

Use all 12 photo slots. Cover shot, multiple angles, close-ups of details or flaws, brand tags, and measurements. More photos = fewer questions = faster sales.

Clean background. A plain white or light surface works best. Cluttered backgrounds make items look less valuable.

Every phone photo contains hidden metadata: GPS coordinates, device model, timestamps. Mercari may not strip all of this data.

A buyer could download your listing photo and extract your home location. This is a real concern for home-based sellers.

This tool strips all EXIF data automatically before you upload. For a deeper look at which platforms protect your data, see our seller photo privacy guide.