Shopify Alt Text Character Limit: What to Aim For
Shopify accepts up to 512 characters of alt text per image and recommends 125 or fewer. The shorter figure is a guideline for readability, not a hard rule. Aim for one clear sentence that names the product and one visible detail, and check long ones before you save.
Sample file
Alt text of different lengths, exported with the Shopify columns.
Handle,Image Src,Image Position,Image Alt Text
wool-scarf-short,REPLACE_WITH_IMAGE_URL/wool-scarf-short.jpg,1,Grey wool scarf folded on a shelf
wool-scarf-detail,REPLACE_WITH_IMAGE_URL/wool-scarf-detail.jpg,1,Close-up of the herringbone weave on a grey wool scarf with a small leather label
wool-scarf-worn,REPLACE_WITH_IMAGE_URL/wool-scarf-worn.jpg,1,"Woman wearing a long grey wool scarf wrapped twice around her neck, standing outdoors in a park in autumn with fallen leaves behind her"Steps
- Collect the alt text you plan to use, one line per image.
- Paste it into the alt text checker and set the limit to 125 characters.
- Shorten any line the checker flags by cutting filler such as image of or photo of.
- If a line still needs more than 125 characters, keep the short alt text and move the extra detail into the product description.
- Enter the final text in Shopify, or export it with the Shopify CSV and review it before import.
Start with the Alt text generator, then check the text with the alt text checker.
The two numbers: 512 and 125
Shopify's help page for product media says the maximum alt text length is 512 characters, and that 125 or fewer is recommended. So there are two different numbers with two different jobs. The first is where the field stops accepting text. The second is a suggestion about what works well for the people who hear the text read aloud.
The 125 figure is not a web standard. Neither WebAIM nor the W3C accessibility tutorials give a character limit for alt text. They ask for text that is accurate, brief and equivalent to what the image shows. Shopify's recommendation is a sensible working rule, but you can use a little more when a product really needs it.
How to pick a length for a product image
A main product photo usually needs 40 to 100 characters: the item, its colour and one distinguishing detail. A gallery image should say what is different from the main photo, such as a back view or a close-up of a stitch. Lifestyle photos can run closer to the limit, but the more you write, the more likely you are to repeat the product description that already sits beside the image.
If you find yourself writing a paragraph, that is a sign the information belongs in the page text. Screen reader users hear the product description anyway, so repeating it in alt text on every image only adds noise.
Checking a whole batch
Reading hundreds of alt texts by eye is slow. Paste them into the checker, one per line, and it shows the length of each, flags lines over your chosen limit, and catches common problems: file names used as alt text, one-word descriptions, duplicates and keyword lists.
The Neartool CSV export also adds a length column to the general CSV, so you can sort a spreadsheet by length and review the longest lines first.
Why not simply use all 512?
Longer text is slower to listen to, and a shopper using a screen reader hears it for every image on the page. Search engines also read alt text, and a wall of repeated product terms reads as keyword stuffing rather than a description. Use the extra room only when it helps someone understand the picture.
Limits and facts
| Shopify maximum | 512 characters (Shopify Help) |
|---|---|
| Shopify recommendation | 125 characters or fewer (Shopify Help) |
| Web standard limit | None; guidance asks for brief, accurate text |
| Typical main product image | 40 to 100 characters |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Shopify alt text character limit?
Shopify's help pages give a maximum of 512 characters for product media alt text. They also recommend 125 characters or fewer.
Is 125 characters a rule for alt text?
No. It is a common guideline, repeated by Shopify and many tools, but accessibility standards do not set a number. The aim is text that is brief and accurate.
What happens if my alt text is longer than the limit?
Shopify will not accept more than 512 characters in the field. Between 125 and 512 it saves, but long text is tiring to listen to, so shorten it where you can.
Where should extra product detail go?
Into the product description, the page text or a caption. Keep alt text for what the image itself shows.
How can I check many alt texts at once?
Paste them into the free alt text checker, one per line. It shows each length and flags lines over the limit you pick, and nothing you paste leaves your browser.