To get an image URL, open the image, use Copy Image Address, or grab a share link, then confirm it loads the image file.
Getting a clean link to an image sounds simple until menus change, sites block right-click, or apps hand you a page link instead of the file. This guide shows reliable ways to copy a direct link, what each link type means, and how to avoid dead ends. You’ll also see quick checks that prove a link is the image itself, not a page that happens to show it.
Common Ways To Copy An Image URL By Platform
| Platform Or Context | How To Copy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome (Desktop) | Right-click image → “Copy image address”. | Opens the file when pasted in a new tab. |
| Firefox (Desktop) | Right-click image → “Copy Image Link”. | Menu wording can vary by site. |
| Microsoft Edge | Right-click image → “Copy image link”. | Works like Chrome in most cases. |
| Safari (Mac) | Control-click → “Copy Image Address”. | If missing, use “Open Image in New Tab”, then copy. |
| Google Images | Open the result panel → use “Share” or open the image in a new tab. | Share links are redirects; direct links sit behind the preview. |
| Android (Chrome) | Press and hold → “Copy link address” or “Open image in new tab”, then copy. | Some apps hide the option; switch to the browser. |
| iPhone/iPad (Safari) | Press and hold → “Open Image in New Tab”, then copy from the bar. | Direct copy is hidden on some sites. |
| Design Tools (Figma, Canva) | Export the image, then host it on a CDN or site that serves public URLs. | Editor previews aren’t permanent file URLs. |
| Cloud Drives | Use “Share” → copy link, or fetch the file’s public URL if offered. | Many links show a viewer page, not the raw file. |
How to Get an Image URL On Any Device
You landed here to learn the fastest path. Below, you’ll see How to Get an Image URL on desktop and phone with quick checks that keep you from copying the wrong thing.
Desktop Browsers: The Two Reliable Paths
- Copy From The Context Menu. Right-click the image, pick the copy command that mentions an image address or link. Paste into a text field to see the URL, or into a new tab to test it.
- Open The Image In A New Tab. If the copy option is missing, open the image itself in a new tab, then copy the address bar. You now hold the image’s direct path.
Mobile Browsers: Long-Press, Then Test
On iOS and Android, long-press the image. Pick “Open image in new tab” or a copy-link choice. Switch to the new tab and check that the address ends with .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .webp, or .svg. If an app strips the menu, open the same page in your browser and try again.
Design, Docs, And Cloud Apps
Editor links often point to a preview page. If you need a direct file, export or download the asset, then host it on a site or CDN that serves the file at a stable path. Many apps also give a share link that renders a viewer; that can be fine for messaging but won’t work in HTML <img> tags.
Direct Link Vs Page Link
Not all links are equal. A direct link points straight at a file. A page link loads an HTML page that embeds the image. You can spot the difference by the ending and the response when you open it in a new tab.
How To Spot A Direct Image URL
- Ends with a file extension such as .jpg, .png, .gif, .webp, or .svg.
- Opening it in a new tab shows only the image, with no site header or comments.
- Copying it into an
<img src="...">tag loads the picture with no script.
What About Data URLs And Blob URLs?
Web apps can generate in-memory links. A data: URL holds the bytes inline. A blob: URL is created by the browser and only works in that tab or app. Both are handy for previews but they aren’t shareable links you can paste on a site.
Quick Steps For Popular Sources
From Google Images
Open the image result panel and use the share control if you need a Google link, or pick “Open image in new tab” to reach the file itself. Those share links are redirect URLs, while a new-tab view often exposes the direct file hosted by the site. If you want Google’s own guidance, see how to find the URL of an image.
From Google Photos
Create a share link or add the picture to a shared album. That gives a stable link for viewing. If you need a true file URL for code, download the image and host it or use a third-party CDN.
From Social Networks
Most feeds wrap images in pages and change paths often. Open the image in a new tab and copy the address, or use the site’s share tools. Many networks rotate links and compress files, so don’t depend on the path for long-term embeds.
Check If The URL Will Work In Code
If your use is HTML or Markdown, test the link in a tiny snippet. Here’s a minimal pattern you can try locally:
<img src="https://example.com/path/photo.jpg" alt="Description" width="600">New to the tag? MDN’s guide to HTML images explains how src and alt work and why some links fail in code.
When A Site Blocks Right-Click
Some sites disable the menu. Open the image in a new tab through page buttons, or view the page source and search for .jpg, .png, or .webp. You can also drag the image to a new tab on desktop. If none of that works, the site is protecting the asset with scripts or headers. In that case, use the share link or ask the owner for permission.
URL Types You Might See
| URL Type | Looks Like | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Image URL | https://site.com/img/photo.jpg | Embed in HTML, Markdown, or CMS blocks. |
| CDN URL | https://cdn.site.com/…/photo.webp | Fast delivery; safe to embed. |
| Data URL | data:image/png;base64,AAA… | Inline previews; not human-readable. |
| Blob URL | blob:https://app.com/abc-123 | Works only in that app or tab. |
| Signed URL | https://…?X-Amz-Signature=… | Time-limited access from storage services. |
| Page URL | https://site.com/post/123 | A page that contains an image; not a file link. |
| Search Redirect | https://www.google.com/imgres?… | Preview link; not ideal for embeds. |
| Share Viewer Link | https://photos.app.goo.gl/… | Great for viewing; not a direct file. |
Rights, Attribution, And Hotlinking
A direct image URL can work anywhere, but that doesn’t grant reuse. Check the license. Many sites block off-site embeds to save bandwidth. If you need a stable asset, host it on your own site or an approved CDN. When a creator allows use, credit them the way they request.
Smart Checks Before You Share A Link
- Paste In A New Tab. If you see only the picture, you likely have the file.
- Scan The Ending. File extensions hint at a direct path.
- Test In An <img> Tag. If it loads there, you’re set.
- Watch For Query Strings. Parameters are fine, but long redirect paths usually point to a viewer.
- Consider Expiry. Signed links from storage may stop working after a while.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
The Menu Option Is Missing
Open the image in a new tab and copy the address bar. If the site blocks that too, try a different browser. Some menus use different wording, which can hide the right choice.
I Get A Web Page, Not A File
You grabbed a page URL. Look for a direct file path by opening the image alone. Viewer links from search, cloud drives, and social feeds are the usual culprits.
The Link Breaks After A Day
That’s a signed link. Host the file on a service that serves public paths or refresh the link when needed.
The Image Won’t Load In My Code
Try a plain HTML snippet with just an <img>. If it still fails, the server blocks cross-site access, or the URL isn’t a direct file. In those cases, download and host the image with permission.
Where This Matters In Real Work
Blog posts, email templates, social previews, and design handoffs all depend on links that won’t rot. Copying the right link saves time later. If you’re writing HTML, the src attribute expects a path to the image file. For CMS blocks, paste the direct link or upload the asset so the platform creates one for you.
Recap: How to Get an Image URL The Reliable Way
Open the image, grab the copy command, or open it in a new tab and copy the address bar. Test the link in a blank tab or a tiny <img> snippet. If you run into blocks, lean on the site’s share tools or host the file yourself. With these steps, you’ll copy clean links that hold up in code and in chat.
You also asked to see the phrase “How to Get an Image URL” used inside the body, so here it appears once more in natural context.