OfferUp photo tips, in short: add up to 12 photos and one video per listing (video in the mobile app), with at least one photo required. The first photo is the cover and the only one buyers see in the For Sale feed, so show the whole item on a plain background. Shoot near a window, photograph every flaw, and skip text, stickers and filters, which OfferUp doesn't allow.
More on this topic: Marketplace image requirements, every guide in one place.
OfferUp is local: buyers scroll a feed of cover photos from sellers nearby, message the ones that look right, and inspect the item in person when they meet. That makes your photos do two jobs. They have to win the tap in the feed, and they have to match what the buyer sees when they arrive. This guide covers OfferUp's photo and video rules, the shots to take for furniture, electronics, clothing and more, and how to set up good light at home.
- Up to 12 photos and 1 video. Video can only be added in the mobile app; the web takes photos only.
- The cover photo is the only one in the feed. Whole item, on its own, plain or contrasting background.
- Real photos of the actual item. No stock, catalog or similar-model images.
- No text, stickers or filters on photos, and no phone numbers, emails or addresses.
- Show flaws and scale. Buyers see the item in person, so honest photos save wasted meetups.
How many photos can you add on OfferUp?
OfferUp lets you add up to 12 photos and one video per listing, and at least one photo is required. In the mobile app you can add photos and the video; posting from offerup.com on a computer takes up to 12 photos. OfferUp's help center suggests covering every angle: front, back, sides, top and bottom.
| Item | Suggested photos | Must include |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture | 8–12 | Whole piece, all sides, drawers open, top surface, legs, wear, styled shot |
| Electronics | 6–10 | Powered on, screen, ports, model or serial plate, accessories laid out |
| Appliances | 6–10 | Front, inside, controls, model plate, running if possible |
| Clothing and shoes | 5–8 | Front, back, labels, soles or hems, any stains |
| Tools and outdoor gear | 6–10 | Whole item, brand and model, blades or parts, wear, item working |
| Kids' gear and toys | 5–8 | Whole item, labels, all pieces, any damage |
OfferUp's photo, video and posting rules were checked in October 2026. Marketplaces change their rules, so confirm the current requirements in your seller dashboard before you upload a large batch.
What should the first photo on OfferUp be?
The first photo should show the whole item from a straight-on angle, on its own, against a plain or contrasting background. OfferUp's help center says the cover photo is the only photo buyers see in the For Sale feed, so it decides whether anyone opens your listing.
- Whole item. Save close-ups for later photos; the cover gives the full picture.
- On its own. Not inside a bag or box, and not mixed with other things you aren't selling.
- Plain or contrasting background so the item stands out in the feed.
- Good light, no blur. Blurry, very dark or very low-resolution photos aren't allowed.
- Reorder any time. To change the cover, edit the listing and drag your preferred photo to the first spot.
OfferUp doesn't publish a required pixel size or aspect ratio. Keep the item centered with space around it, and after posting, view your listing as a buyer would to check how the cover looks.
What photos should you take for an OfferUp listing?
Take the full item, every angle, close-ups, the item working, its labels, its flaws, something for scale and everything included. That is OfferUp's own checklist, and it answers most buyer questions before they message you.
- Full item, straight on: your cover.
- All angles: front, back, sides, and top and bottom where they matter.
- Close-ups of texture, hardware, stitching or screens.
- Item in action: drawers open, lids up, device powered on, zips zipping.
- Brand and labels: tags, model numbers, serial plates, care labels.
- Flaws and wear: each scratch, stain, chip or worn edge, clearly.
- Size reference: next to a hand, a coin or another familiar object.
- What's included: cables, remote, accessories and original packaging in one shot.
- Styled shot (optional): a side table with a lamp and a book, so buyers can picture it at home.
Before you shoot, wipe the item down. OfferUp points out that dust and fingerprints show up surprisingly clearly in photos, especially on screens, glass and dark furniture.
How do you get good light for OfferUp photos?
Use natural light from a window, with the light falling on the front of the item rather than behind it. OfferUp's guide says overcast days work especially well because clouds spread light evenly. Shoot near a window but not in direct sun.
- Turn the item toward the window so the light hits the side you're photographing.
- Bounce light into shadows with a sheet of white foam board or cardboard on the side away from the window.
- No window? Use a ring light or two lamps on either side. OfferUp suggests daylight-balanced bulbs (5000–6500K) to avoid the yellow cast of standard bulbs.
- Steady the phone. A mini tripod stops shake and keeps angles consistent.
- Background: a white foam board, a blank wall, a clean tabletop or a sheet on the floor. For a seamless look, curve white poster paper from a wall down onto a table.
Large items like sofas and dressers can't go near a window, so photograph them in the room in daylight with the lights on, the clutter cleared and the whole piece in frame. Our guides to photographing furniture to sell and photographing electronics go further.
Replace a cluttered garage or living-room background with a clean one, keeping the item exactly as you photographed it.
Clean up a photo7 days free · 50 credits · No credit cardWhat photos are not allowed on OfferUp?
OfferUp's Posting Rules require clean, real photos of the item you're selling. Listings that break them can be removed. Not allowed:
- No photo, or photos of text only. Every listing needs at least one photo of the item.
- Catalog images, stock photos or a similar model. Show the actual item.
- Other people's photos: images copied from other listings, manufacturer sites or anywhere online.
- Text overlays: phone numbers, email addresses, prices or promotional text. Exceptions apply for verified businesses.
- Stickers or filters that obscure the item.
- Edited or misleading photos. Photos that hide defects may lead to listing removal.
- Blurry, extremely dark or very low-resolution photos.
- Personal information: your home address, license plates or other personal details visible in the frame.
Photos taken at home often show house numbers, mail, family photos or a car's plate in the driveway. OfferUp asks you to keep those out of frame. Phone photos can also carry GPS location in their metadata; our free photo metadata remover shows what's in each file and saves clean copies.
Should you add a video to an OfferUp listing?
Yes, especially for anything that moves, powers on or opens. OfferUp allows one video per listing, added in the mobile app, and its listing guide suggests a 60-second video showing multiple angles, how the item works and any flaws.
- Use the same light and background as your photos.
- Move slowly around the item; steady movement is easier to watch than fast panning.
- Open compartments, power it on, and end with a close-up of any wear or damage.
- Follow the video rules: no stock footage or someone else's video, no edits that hide defects, no links to other sites, and no personal information in frame.
Common OfferUp photo mistakes
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Close-up as the cover | Buyers can't tell what it is in the feed | Whole item first, details later |
| Price or phone number on the photo | Against Posting Rules | Put details in the listing fields |
| Stock photo of the model | Not allowed; doesn't show condition | Photograph your actual item |
| Shooting against a bright window | Item turns into a dark silhouette | Light on the front of the item |
| No size reference | Buyers ask, or don't show up | Add a hand, coin or familiar object |
| Hiding a scratch | Awkward meetup, lost sale, bad rating | Close-up of every flaw in good light |
What if your OfferUp item isn't selling?
Retake the photos before you drop the price. OfferUp's help center suggests that if a listing hasn't had inquiries after a week or so, you try new photos in better light or from a different angle, then a new title and description, and only then reconsider the price. Don't repost the same item as a second listing; OfferUp's rules don't allow duplicates.
Light editing is fine: OfferUp itself suggests adjusting brightness and cropping in your phone's editor, while warning that heavy filters can misrepresent color and condition. If you post from a computer, our free image compressor and converter turns HEIC files into JPGs. Selling lots of items from the same garage? The bulk background remover cleans up to 50 photos at once. Trial images carry a small "Made with aiarter" mark, which counts as text on a photo, so use paid-plan exports on OfferUp. Also selling locally on Facebook? See our Facebook Marketplace photo tips, and for shipping marketplaces, Mercari photo tips.
Frequently asked questions
How many pictures can you post on OfferUp?
Up to 12 photos per listing, plus one video in the mobile app. At least one photo is required. Use the slots for every angle, labels, flaws, a size reference and what's included.
Can you add a video on OfferUp?
Yes, one video per listing, added in the OfferUp mobile app. OfferUp suggests a 60-second video showing the item from several angles, how it works and any flaws.
What should my OfferUp cover photo be?
The whole item from a straight-on angle, on its own, against a plain or contrasting background, in good light. It's the only photo buyers see in the For Sale feed.
Can I use stock photos on OfferUp?
No. OfferUp's Posting Rules require photos of the actual item, and don't allow catalog images, stock photos, images of a similar model, or photos copied from other listings or websites.
Can I put the price or my phone number on OfferUp photos?
No. OfferUp doesn't allow text overlays such as prices, phone numbers, emails or promotional text, with exceptions for verified businesses. Keep that information in the listing fields and messages.
What size should OfferUp photos be?
OfferUp doesn't publish a required pixel size or aspect ratio. Photos from a phone camera are fine, but very low-resolution photos aren't allowed. Keep the whole item centered with space around it.
How do I change the cover photo on OfferUp?
Edit the listing and reorder your photos so the one you want appears first. The first photo is always the cover.
Swap a cluttered room or garage for a clean background, with the item itself left exactly as you shot it.
Start free trialSee pricing7 days free · 50 credits · No credit card. Trial images carry a small “Made with aiarter” mark; paid plans export clean files you can use commercially.
