Using iStock files

How can I use iStock photos in my projects?

When you download a photo from iStock, you are purchasing a royalty-free license, allowing you to use it for:

• Advertising
• Publishing
• Websites and blogs
• Presentations

All photos come with a standard license, meaning you only pay once for the file and don’t have to pay royalties for repeated use. If you need additional rights, you can purchase an extended license.

View the license comparison page for more details.

What are editorial-use-only photos?

Editorial photos do not have model or property releases, so they cannot be used for:

• Commercial or promotional purposes
• Advertisements
• Endorsements

These images typically feature news, sports, or entertainment events and should be used only for newsworthy or general interest content, such as blogs, textbooks, newspapers, or magazines.

Can I modify iStock images?

Yes, you can crop, resize, add text, upload logos, apply filters, and make other creative edits to creative photos and illustrations from iStock.

iStock also offers an online photo editor, allowing you to customize images before downloading. The editor is free to use, and you only pay for the images you download.

Try our iStock Editor.

Can I modify iStock images with AI?

Yes, you can now use AI to modify any photo or illustration from the iStock creative library. You can instantly add elements, remove backgrounds, or create additional sizes with the power of AI.

Find out more about iStock AI image modification.

What image resolutions does iStock provide?

iStock images are provided by different contributors, and some large files may have default resolutions lower than 300dpi. However, resolution can be adjusted without affecting quality or physical size.

If you need a higher dpi, you can change it in any image editing tool without impacting the image's quality.

How can I use iStock illustrations and vectors in my projects?

iStock illustrations and vectors can be used for commercial and editorial purposes, including:

• Advertising
• Publishing
• Websites and blogs
• Presentations

All illustrations come with a standard license, meaning you only pay once for the file and don’t have to pay royalties for repeated use. If you need additional rights, you can purchase an extended license.

View the license comparison page for more details.

What are vector files and how do I open or edit them?

When you download a vector illustration from iStock, you can choose between:

• EPS (vector) file – Editable, scalable, and can be resized without losing quality.
• JPEG (raster) file – Fixed resolution available in different sizes.

Vector vs. Raster Graphics

• Raster (JPEG) images are made up of pixels, which can become blurry when resized.
• Vector (EPS) graphics use mathematical calculations to plot shapes, allowing unlimited scaling without losing quality.

To edit EPS vector files, you need specialized software such as:

• Adobe Illustrator®
• Adobe InDesign®
• CorelDraw®
• Microsoft Publisher
• Inkscape (Free)

If you don’t have access to a vector-editing program, you can download a flattened JPEG version instead.

Read our blog post to learn more about vectors.

Can I modify iStock images and illustrations?

Yes, you can crop, rotate, flip, edit colors, add text, and apply other creative effects to iStock photos and illustrations. However, modifications must not violate the content’s licensing terms.

View the license agreement for full details.

Can I modify iStock illustrations with AI?

Yes, you can now use AI to modify any illustration or image from the iStock creative library. You can instantly add elements, remove backgrounds, or create additional sizes with the power of AI.

Find out more about iStock AI image modification.

What image resolutions does iStock provide?

iStock images and illustrations come from different contributors, and some large files may have default resolutions lower than 300dpi.

• Changing a 72dpi image to 300dpi will not alter its quality or physical size.
• You can adjust the dpi in any image editing tool if needed.

How can I use iStock video clips in my projects?

iStock’s collection of stock video clips can be used for a variety of commercial and editorial purposes, including:

• Advertising
• Websites
• Video productions

All video files come with a standard license, meaning you only pay once for the file and don’t have to pay ongoing royalties. If you need additional rights, you can purchase an extended license.

View the license comparison page for more details.

How do I find video clips on iStock?

1. Enter keywords in the search bar at the top of the site.
2. Select "Video" as the file type.
3. Use filters to refine your search by aspect ratio and resolution.
4. Preview clips by hovering over thumbnails or clicking to view more details.

What video formats and frame sizes does iStock offer?

iStock video clips are available in MOV and MP4 formats.

• MOV files – Best for editing, compositing, and adding effects. Recommended for professional video projects.
• MP4 files – Ideal for smaller multimedia projects, presentations, or web-based content. MP4 files do not scale well, so choosing the correct size is important.

Available video resolutions and formats

4K DCI

• Frame size: 4096x2160
• Aspect ratio: 17:9
• Format: Quicktime MOV
• Codec: ProRes 4444, ProRes 422 HQ, or Photo JPEG
• Frame rate: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p, 59.94p, or 60p

4K UHD

• Frame size: 3840x2160
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Format: Quicktime MOV
• Codec: ProRes 4444, ProRes 422 HQ, Photo JPEG, or H.264
• Frame rate: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p, 59.94p, or 60p

Full HD

• Frame size: 1920x1080
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Format: Quicktime MOV
• Codec: ProRes 422 HQ, Photo JPEG, or H.264
• Frame rate: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p, 59.94p, or 60p

HD

• Frame size: 1280x720
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Format: Quicktime MOV
• Codec: ProRes 422 HQ, Photo JPEG, or H.264
• Frame rate: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p, 59.94p, or 60p

HD Web

• Frame size: 640x360
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Format: MP4
• Codec: H.264
• Frame rate: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p, 59.94p, or 60p

Some older files may have an interlaced scan type and/or compressed with an HDV or DVCPro HD codec, (both of which have non-square pixels). Full HD video files with an interlaced scan type may be compressed with the Motion JPEG codec (square pixels). Older files where 4K or HD video is not available will only come in standard definition in either NTSC or PAL formats.

What is the original version of a video file?

The largest available size is always the original file supplied by the contributor. This is the highest quality version and should be used as the source footage for professional editing.

For files available in PAL and NTSC only, the original format is usually indicated in the contributor’s description. If an HD option is available alongside PAL and NTSC, then the largest HD size is the original version.

The tracks and audio files you download come with the same standard license as any other iStock file and can be used in a wide variety of projects including advertising, websites, blogs, presentations, publications, video productions, podcasts, and more.

Since they're royalty‑free, you can use them in as many projects as you want for as long as you want, within the terms of the license agreement.

You can select the 'Duration' filter and adjust the time slider to search files of a specific time range via the Triple Scoop filter list.

All Triple Scoop Music tracks are Safelisted for use on social media. Enjoy hassle‑free video posting to sites like YouTube and TikTok without the need to provide proof of clearance.

Please include the following information:
[Artist's name] /Triple Scoop Music via iStock.com 

If your search ends up with zero results, you're probably being a little too specific (or you're searching for something really unusual). If you've entered multiple keywords, try entering one or two that best describe what you're looking for. If you've applied filters in the refine panel, you may want to remove them to widen your search. Also, make sure you have the right file type selected in the drop-down menu next to the search bar, or by choosing the file type on the top left. Searching for a photo while on the video page (or in the search bar while video is selected) will give you zero results.

If you're searching for a specific file using a file number and can no longer find it, it may no longer be available for download. Contact us and we'll see if we can track it down for you.