Unsplash License: Is Attribution Required in 2026?

Attribution is NOT required under the Unsplash license. You can download any photo from Unsplash, use it on a website, in a presentation, on a billboard — and you don't owe credit to anyone. But if you're a developer using their API, the rules are completely different. And most people don't know that.

This post covers exactly what the Unsplash license requires, where the API exception catches people off guard, and how Unsplash+ changes the picture.

What the Unsplash License Actually Says

The Unsplash license is irrevocable, nonexclusive, and worldwide. Every photo on the platform is free for commercial and non-commercial use. No attribution required — not to the photographer, not to Unsplash.

In spirit, it's very similar to CC0 (public domain dedication), with one key difference: you cannot compile Unsplash photos to build a competing service. You can't scrape the library and launch your own stock photo platform. Everything else is fair game.

For the full breakdown of what each tier permits, see our Unsplash licensing guide.

So Do You Need to Credit the Photographer?

No — legally, you don't. Unsplash itself says attribution is "appreciated but not required." There's no clause in the license that makes credit mandatory. You can use any image without mentioning the photographer's name, linking to their profile, or referencing Unsplash at all.

The API Exception — Developers Must Attribute

This is the part that catches people off guard. If you're building an app, website, or tool that integrates the Unsplash API, attribution is required — not optional, not "encouraged," but mandatory under the API Terms of Service.

Every time your application displays an Unsplash image, it must credit both Unsplash and the photographer, with a clickable link back to the photographer's Unsplash profile. Failing to do this violates the API Terms and can get your API access revoked.

The important distinction: this obligation falls on the API integrator — the developer who built the integration. If you're an end user of an app that happens to pull images from Unsplash, you don't inherit that attribution requirement. The developer already handled it (or should have).

What About Unsplash+?

Unsplash+ is the paid subscription tier, and its license also does not require attribution. However, the paid license adds restrictions that the free license doesn't have:

• No use in digital templates for resale — you can't package Unsplash+ images into Canva templates, Figma kits, or website themes sold to others
• No use in AI / machine learning training — you can't feed Unsplash+ images into model training datasets
• No use in biometric tracking technology
• No re-selling images as-is — the image itself can't be the product

The significant upside: Unsplash+ includes $10,000 indemnification per file. If a copyright or IP claim arises from an Unsplash+ image, you're covered up to that amount. The free license offers no indemnification at all, making Unsplash+ a meaningful upgrade for serious commercial use.

What You CAN'T Do on Either License

Both the free and paid Unsplash licenses share a few hard restrictions that apply regardless of how you access the images.

You cannot sell Unsplash images without significant modification. Downloading a photo and listing it for sale as a print, poster, or digital download — without adding meaningful creative work — violates the license. The image can't be the primary product.

You also cannot compile images to replicate a competing service. This is the clause that separates Unsplash's license from true CC0. Bulk downloading to build your own stock photo library is explicitly prohibited.

If an image contains recognizable people, you need a model release before using it for commercial purposes like advertising, product packaging, or endorsements. Unsplash doesn't guarantee that model releases exist for photos on the platform — that's on you to verify.

The same applies to brand logos and trademarks visible in photos. Using them in ways that imply endorsement or sponsorship can create legal issues unrelated to Unsplash's license.

Should You Credit Anyway?

Yes — even though you don't have to. Attribution supports the photographers who make Unsplash possible, builds goodwill in the creative community, and costs you nothing. Unsplash provides a suggested format:

"Photo by [Photographer Name] on Unsplash" — with a link to their profile.

It takes five seconds to add and it's the right thing to do. If you're also working with AI-generated images, Midjourney's license works differently — but the principle of crediting creators still applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is attribution required for Unsplash images?

No. The Unsplash license does not require attribution for standard downloads. You can use any image commercially or non-commercially without crediting the photographer or Unsplash. Attribution is encouraged but entirely optional.

Do I need to credit Unsplash if I use their API?

Yes. API integrators must attribute both Unsplash and the photographer every time an image is displayed in their application. This is a mandatory requirement under the API Terms of Service, not a suggestion.

Can I use Unsplash images commercially without credit?

Yes. Commercial use is permitted with no attribution required. You can use Unsplash images in ads, on products, in client work, and in marketing materials without providing credit to anyone.

What is the difference between the Unsplash license and CC0?

Both allow free use without attribution, but Unsplash's license prohibits compiling images to build a competing service. CC0 is a true public domain dedication with no such restriction. In practice, the difference only matters if you're building a stock photo platform.

Does Unsplash+ require attribution?

No. The paid Unsplash+ license also does not require attribution. However, it adds restrictions the free license doesn't have — no AI training, no digital templates for resale, and no re-selling images as-is. It does include $10,000 per-file indemnification.