Skuvera

Fix “Validation failed: The uploaded image exceeds the 20 megapixel limit” in Shopify

One of the images in your CSV has too many pixels for Shopify. Resize it so that width × height is 20 megapixels or less, for example 5000 × 4000 px, upload the smaller version and import again.

Error message in Shopify

Validation failed: The uploaded image exceeds the 20 megapixel limit

What this error means

A megapixel is one million pixels: multiply an image's width by its height. Shopify's help center says product images can be up to 5000 × 5000 px, or 25 megapixels, while this error message mentions a 20 megapixel limit. To make sure the import works, keep every image at or below 20 megapixels.

Common causes

  • Original camera photos were used. Many cameras produce images of 24 megapixels or more, such as 6000 × 4000 px.
  • Images were upscaled or exported at print resolution.
  • Wide panoramas or long lifestyle images have a large total pixel count.

How to fix it

  1. Find the row in the error message and open the image URL to check its width and height.
  2. Multiply width by height. If the result is above 20,000,000, the image is too large.
  3. Resize the image in an image editor, for example to 5000 × 4000 px, or to about 4400 × 4400 px for a square image.
  4. Upload the resized image, for example to Shopify Files, and replace the URL in your CSV.
  5. Save the file as CSV UTF-8 and import it again.

How to prevent it

  • Export product photos at web sizes. Around 2048 px on the longest side is enough for sharp, zoomable product images.
  • Resize images in bulk before uploading them, instead of using camera originals.

Check the rest of your file

Skuvera can't detect this particular problem before import, but it checks your product CSV against Shopify's other rules in your browser, so you can fix everything else in one go. Free, no sign-up.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Shopify mention both 20 and 25 megapixels?
The help center lists 5000 × 5000 px, or 25 megapixels, as the maximum, but this error message names 20 megapixels. Staying at or below 20 megapixels avoids the error either way.
Can Skuvera find oversized images?
Not yet. Skuvera checks image URLs without downloading the images, so it can't see their dimensions. Resize large originals before adding them to your CSV.

Learn more

Read Shopify’s explanation

Other import errors

Updated October 30, 2026