9 Best Sites for Public Domain Images

Get high-res public domain photos from Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash, and other free websites

Below are all the best websites I use to download images that are in the public domain. Photos you download from these sites are perfect for multiple reasons, from putting the finishing touches on a blog post or website to adding graphics to your printed projects or mobile app.

The websites below are your best options for finding images at the source, but you can also use Google.

01
of 09

Pexels

Public domain images at Pexels
What We Like
  • Range of image sizes.

  • Discover images without something specific in mind.

  • Useful filtering options.

What We Don't Like
  • Search tool could be more helpful.

Pexels offers hundreds of thousands of images that are free for use on personal and commercial projects, blogs, websites, apps, and elsewhere. It's one of the first two websites I reach for when I need a free picture because it's easy to use and is always updating with new content.

Search by keyword or browse by collection. Another way I like to find the photos here is by the leaderboard, which lists all the most popular uploaders. There's also a handy Popular Searches page to see what other people are downloading.

Filters let you pick the orientation, size, and hex code to really narrow in on the pictures you're after. When you're ready to download something, you can choose a custom size or pick any other size, up to the original size.

02
of 09

Unsplash

Public domain images at Unsplash
What We Like
  • Several collections and genres to explore.

  • Quick download button makes getting the images easier.

What We Don't Like
  • Asked to credit the author after every download.

  • Mixes in Unsplash+ (paid) content.

If I'm not on Pexels, I'm browsing for public domain photos at Unsplash. Similar to Pexels, I just love how huge the collection is, and it's always expanding, often with thousands of uploads every month. Plus, there are loads of ways to find something, such as through collections and trends.

I also like to view photos by topic. Current Events is an interesting image set, but there's also one for textures, 3D renders, health & wellness, interiors, and a lot more.

Some of the pictures here are only for Unsplash+ subscribers, but you can filter the results to show just the free stuff. The Unsplash License clearly states that all the free photos can be used for any reason; no permission or credit is required.

03
of 09

Kaboompics

The Kaboompics home page with the search tool
What We Like
  • New photos are added daily.

  • Custom download size option.

  • Helpful and unique filtering and sorting options.

  • Use images for any reason, no attribution required.

What We Don't Like
  • Strange layout that might take time to get used to.

  • The color picker isn't very useful.

Tens of thousands of additional public domain images are available through Kaboompics. You can browse through them by color, keyword, orientation, or category.

Some of the categories that separate these photos include technology, food & drink, business & office, home decor, healthcare, and things.

As you look through these pictures, you can use the download button to quickly grab them, or you can visit the photo's download page to get the original sized photo or one of a custom size.

There are also photoshoots listed here, which provide a series of similar images that would work great in a project that needs a consistent theme.

04
of 09

Pixabay

Free winter images at Pixabay
What We Like
  • Large collection of images.

  • You can donate to the creator.

  • Free images, regardless of download size.

  • Can hide AI-generated images.

What We Don't Like
  • Sponsored images mixed in.

  • Login required for full resolution.

  • Complaints about poor and rude customer service.

  • Complaints of arbitrary rejection of images.

Pixabay is home to millions of free photos, illustrations, vector graphics, and even videos, music, and sound effects. The photos are stunning, high-resolution images that are free to use with any project. No attribution is necessary.

Explore helps you find the most popular images on the site, and can also point you in the direction of the Editor's Choice page to kick-start your creativity, and curated collections (e.g., lifestyle, wild animals, people from around the world, celebrating women).

The filters let you target your searches by publish date, color, size, and orientation.

05
of 09

Public Domain Pictures

latest public domain images at PublicDomainPictures.net
What We Like
  • Finding the top public domain images is easy.

  • There's an option to donate to the image creator.

  • Premium download fee for larger images isn't expensive.

What We Don't Like
  • Must watch for special conditions that govern image use.

  • Larger image sizes require a payment.

  • Lots of ads, some which look like free images.

  • Can't filter by orientation.

Public Domain Pictures has thousands of gorgeous photos and drawings. All images can be downloaded free but there's also a Premium Download option if you want a larger version (they're very reasonably priced).

Although all the photos are in the public domain, you'll occasionally see a note about a special use condition. For example, if a person or paid model appears in the photo, the condition may be that you can't use it in any way that depicts that person in a manner they'd find offensive.

06
of 09

Morguefile

MorgueFile's free stock image collections
What We Like
  • Established resource, popular with creative professionals.

  • Beautiful site design.

What We Don't Like
  • Some image URLs are served by ad domains, and blocked by ad blockers.

  • Must create a user account.

Morguefile is a high-quality source for public domain images. The site tends to attract high-res photo submissions and has hundreds of thousands of free stock photos on file.

Remember these things while using Morguefile (according to their license):

  • Any of the free photos can be used for commercial purposes
  • You can make alterations to the images
  • If you don't alter the image, you must credit the photographer
07
of 09

Wikimedia Commons

Wikimedia Commons website
What We Like
  • Enormous catalog.

  • Familiar design and navigation, similar to Wikipedia.

  • RSS feed options to stay updated.

  • Super high-res images.

What We Don't Like
  • Confusing, multi-channel layout.

  • Some photos require attribution.

Wikimedia Commons is a gigantic repository of more than 100 million free media files, including public domain images and other content available in a wide variety of languages.

If the site has a downside, it has to be its vast size. If you're not sure where to start, take their recommendation and visit Featured Pictures, Quality Images, or Valued Images

Almost everything you see here is free to use. Some of it comes with restrictions that are explained on the same page as the image. The most common is that the original creator must be attributed.

08
of 09

NYPL Digital Collections

Public domain images at New York Public Library Digital Collections
What We Like
  • Astounding selection of thematically arranged content.

  • Focus on archives, not on generic stock photography.

  • Outstanding site navigation and visual appeal.

What We Don't Like
  • Mix of free and license-required images.

  • Although gorgeous, this collection might be too hyper-focused for general editorial usage.

  • Several dead links.

The New York Public Library has organized a huge collection of amazing public domain images and made them all available to the public. This collection of nearly 1 million items includes illuminated manuscripts, historical maps, vintage posters, rare prints, photographs, and more.

To get started, type something into the search box and then select the box next to Search only public domain materials. Or, browse the items featured on the home page, which include recently digitized items, updated collections, and various other categories such as fashion, nature, and maps.

Before downloading these public domain pictures, scroll to the bottom of the download page to see the Rights Statement section. Truly free images will mention that the New York Public Library considers it to be in the public domain and so it doesn't require a link back to the library.

09
of 09

Flickr Commons

Screenshot of Flickr's The Commons page
What We Like
  • Historical photographs, free for general use.

  • Partnership with many prestigious organizations.

  • Long-running, started in 2008.

  • Usually several size options.

What We Don't Like
  • Cluttered download pages.

Access thousands of public photography images at the Commons, a joint project between Flickr and the Library of Congress. Dozens of institutions around the world participate in the Commons. 

Many of the photos are historical, and all are fascinating. They're categorized as having "no known copyright restrictions."

When you run a search, the results can be filtered by color, multiple orientations, minimum size, and date captured.

This program has two main objectives:

  • To increase access to publicly held photography collections
  • To provide a way for the general public to contribute information and knowledge

The Public Domain Flickr group is another place on this site to get public domain images.

Are the Images in the Wrong Format?

Use an image file converter to save your public domain photo to a different file format. This is useful if the program you want to use the picture with will only accept a specific file type. For example, if you download a JPG but you want a PNG, a file converter is what you need to make that change.

What Are Public Domain Images?

It's simple: they're images that are freely available for use, for commercial and private purposes. You don't have to worry about infringing on copyrights, attributing the source, asking for permission, or being charged for using the photos. Some photos don't follow those rules exactly, but most do, and any caveats are explained above or on the website offering the pictures.

Was this page helpful?