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Why are my Zillow photos blurry?

Blurry listing photos almost always come from one of six things: four happen while you shoot and two happen to the file on its way to Zillow. Here is how to spot and fix each one.

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Six causes and their fixes

  • The phone moved

    Why
    In a dim room the camera keeps the shutter open longer. A small shake then smears the whole photo.
    Fix
    Turn on every light. Hold the phone with both hands or use a tripod. Take two or three shots.

  • The focus missed

    Why
    The camera focused on a close object or the window instead of the room.
    Fix
    Tap the middle of the room on the screen before you take the photo.

  • The lens was dirty

    Why
    A fingerprint makes the photo soft and hazy, with glow around lights and windows.
    Fix
    Wipe the lens with a soft cloth before you start.

  • Digital zoom

    Why
    Zooming in with two fingers only crops and stretches the photo.
    Fix
    Walk closer instead and use the 1× lens.

  • The file was made smaller

    Why
    Texting photos, taking screenshots or saving a JPEG again and again throws away detail each time.
    Fix
    Upload the original file. Share photos by email, AirDrop or a cloud folder.

  • The photo was too small

    Why
    Listing sites stretch small photos to fill a wide frame. Zillow does not show photos under 330 × 220 pixels at all.
    Fix
    Upload photos at least 2048 pixels wide, within your MLS’s limits.

Check your MLS’s limits in the MLS photo size guide. Then use the listing photo checklist on your next shoot.

Questions and answers

Why are my photos sharp on my phone but blurry on Zillow?

Listing sites show smaller copies of each photo. If the file you uploaded was already small or compressed, the copy looks soft. Upload the full-size original.

Does texting photos make them blurry?

Often, yes. Many messaging apps shrink photos to send them faster. Share originals by email, AirDrop or a cloud folder instead.

Can editing fix a blurry photo?

Editing can fix light, color and a little softness. A photo blurred by camera shake or missed focus is best taken again.

Sources

Edit your listing photo, keep the original.

Start with one photo. Your original always stays as you took it.

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