Upload the biggest clean original you have.
Resolution matters because editing needs real detail to work with. A small file can be brightened, but fine texture, straight edges, window detail, and surface clarity will still be limited.
If you have the original camera file, use that. Avoid screenshots, photos saved from messaging apps, or images downloaded from a listing after they have already been compressed.
- Original camera file
- Landscape crop
- No screenshot borders
- No added text or logos
Use a higher target if the gallery will go on multiple platforms.
Airbnb's minimum is useful as a floor, not the quality target. If the same gallery will be used on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and a direct site, keep the largest clean originals and export platform-ready copies after editing.
This gives the edit enough real detail to survive platform compression, search-result crops, and larger desktop gallery views.
- Airbnb: at least 1200 x 800 pixels; larger files are better up to about 10 MB
- Use horizontal photos for the strongest gallery and search-result fit
- Keep the largest clean master file for other booking platforms
- Export platform-ready copies only after the final edit is approved
Keep enough room context in the frame.
A technically sharp photo can still be weak if the crop hides the room shape. Guests need to understand where the bed, sofa, table, door, window, and amenity sit in relation to each other.
Editing is safest when the image already shows the real space clearly. Cropping too tight can make the room feel larger than it is, which creates a trust problem.
Use editing to polish, not rebuild.
A good upload-ready edit improves brightness, color, contrast, clarity, and mild perspective. It should not invent detail that was never captured.
The simple host rule is this: if the image only needs polish, edit it. If the image cannot explain the room, reshoot it.
FAQ
What size should Airbnb photos be?
Airbnb recommends photos that are at least 1200 x 800 pixels and says larger files are better up to about 10 MB. Larger original files are also better for editing because they preserve more room detail and texture.
Should Airbnb photos be horizontal or vertical?
Landscape photos usually work better for listing galleries and search-result crops. Vertical photos can be useful for some details, but they are weaker candidates for cover and first-gallery positions.
Source notes
Keep reading
- short-term-rental photo checklist Check the source files before deciding which photos should be edited.
- Light optimization examples See what basic exposure, color, and perspective cleanup can do.
- edit vs reshoot vacation rental photos Decide when a small or cropped file should be replaced instead of edited.
- start a photo review Upload your largest originals for review-first optimization.
