# Find a photo on Pexels

From the editor, you search for free photos and videos in the Pexels library. This article teaches you how to search, filter, import a media file in the right size and read the search messages.

## Before you start

- Pexels is a library of free photos and videos. You search from the editor without leaving your page.
- You must be able to add files to the media library: Author, Editor or Administrator role. The buttons do not appear for other roles.
- An imported media file enters your media library and counts toward the storage of your plan.

## Open the search

The **Search Pexels** window opens wherever the editor has you choose a media file.

| Where | Button |
| --- | --- |
| An empty Media block | **Search Pexels**, under the upload and media library buttons |
| A filled Media block | **Pexels**, in the block toolbar, next to **Replace** |
| The **Featured media** panel of a content item | **Search Pexels** |
| A media field of a content type | **Search Pexels** |

## Search for a photo or a video

1. Open the **Search Pexels** window. It opens on a selection from Pexels.
2. Choose **Photos** or **Videos**.
3. In the **Search** field, describe what you are looking for, for example “bright office”. Results arrive as you type.
4. Optional: narrow down with the filters under the field.
5. To see more results, click **Show more** at the bottom of the list.

![The Search Pexels window: the Photos tab, the search “wine”, the Any orientation list, the Red color chosen among twelve swatches, then photos of cellars and grape harvests, each credited to its photographer.](https://static.lovelyrender.com/uploads/2026/10/235-images-pexels.png)

The search understands the language in which you use the editor. Each result carries the name of its author, for example **Photo by … on Pexels**, with a link to their page.

| Filter | Values | For | Default |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Orientation** | **Landscape**, **Portrait** or **Square** | Photos and videos | **Any orientation** |
| **Color** | Twelve colors, from **Red** to **White**. A second click removes the color. | Photos, once a search is typed | None |
| **Resolution** | **Full HD or more** or **4K** | Videos | **Any resolution** |
| **Frame rate** | 24, 25, 30 or 50 fps, or **60 fps or more** | Videos | **Any frame rate** |
| **Duration** | A slider with two handles, from 0 to 2 minutes, with **At least** and **At most** | Videos | **Any length** |

To see a result larger, click it. A video plays. To return to the list, click **Back to the results**.

## Import the chosen media file

1. Under the media preview, wait for **Weighing the sizes…** to finish.
2. Under **Size to import**, keep the checked size or choose another one.
3. Click **Import this photo** or **Import this video**. The window shows **Importing into your media library…** then closes. The media file appears in the block.

![A photo of barrels chosen in the Search Pexels window: its credit, the Size to import list with 1920, 2560 and 3840 px, the 2560 size checked, then the Import this photo button.](https://static.lovelyrender.com/uploads/2026/10/891-images-pexels-taille.png)

| Media | Sizes offered | Size checked |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Photo | 1,920, 2,560 and 3,840 px on the long side, those that stay below the original. The original itself if it does not exceed 3,840 px. | 2,560 px, or the largest below it |
| Video | Every definition that Pexels publishes for this video, from SD to 4K. | Full HD, or the largest below it |

A size that your site cannot take is grayed out. **too heavy for this site** means it exceeds the weight accepted for one file. **not enough space left** means it exceeds the space left on your plan.

The imported media file is processed like a file uploaded from your computer: AVIF for a photo, WebM, MP4 and a preview image for a video. Its credit is filled in at import with the name of its author, the link to their profile and Pexels as the source.

**Warning:** The alternative text of an imported media file stays empty. Describe the image in the block’s **Media** panel, or in the media library.

## Reuse a media file already imported

The window recognizes a media file already in your media library. It shows **This photo is already in your media library.** and offers **Use it**. Nothing is imported a second time.

![The photo of a cellar by Liv Kao in the Search Pexels window, with the sentence This photo is already in your media library. and the Use it button.](https://static.lovelyrender.com/uploads/2026/10/882-doc-design-pexels-deja.png)

If someone is already importing this media file, the window shows **Someone is already importing this photo or video. It will be in the media library in a moment.**

## Read the search messages

| Message | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Nothing matches this search. Try other words or fewer filters.** | No result. Widen the search. |
| **Nothing on this page matches the filters.** | The filters ruled out the whole page. Click **Show more** to see the next one. |
| **This video is sent at this resolution to every screen…** | You chose a video above Full HD. Keep it for a large banner. |
| **There is not enough space left on your plan for this photo.** | No size fits in the space left. Free up space in the media library. |
| **Several imports are already running on this site. Try again when one of them has finished.** | Your site already imports three files at a time. |
| **The Pexels search is busy. Try again in a few minutes.** | Many searches were made within the hour. |
| **Pexels could not be reached. Try again in a moment.** | Pexels did not answer in time. |
| **The Pexels search is not available on this platform right now.** | The search is cut off on our side. You have nothing to do. |

## Respect the Pexels license

- Pexels photos and videos are free, commercial use included. Crediting them is not required.
- The license forbids reselling a media file as is, suggesting that a person photographed endorses your business, or making it your logo.
- The permissions of the people and brands visible in a media file remain for you to check.

## See also

- [Upload your photos and videos](https://lovelyrender.com/documentation/upload-photos-videos/)
- [Credit your photos and videos](https://lovelyrender.com/documentation/credit-photos-videos/)
- [Media](https://lovelyrender.com/documentation/media-block/)