How to Upload Images and Get a Direct Link Instantly
A step-by-step guide to uploading images and getting direct link URLs that work everywhere — forums, chat apps, websites, and more.
Need to share an image with a direct link? Whether you're posting on a forum, sending a link in Discord, embedding in a blog post, or adding images to GitHub issues — a direct image link is the fastest way to do it.
What Is a Direct Image Link?
A direct image link (also called a "hotlink" or "raw URL") is a URL that points directly to the image file itself. When you open the link, you see just the image — no website wrapper, no ads, no extra content.
Direct links look like this: https://imglink.cc/cdn/abc123.png
They're essential for:
- Embedding images in forum posts (BBCode)
- Adding images to Markdown files and README docs
- Sharing in Discord, Slack, or Telegram
- Using as
srcattributes in HTML<img>tags - Referencing images in emails and newsletters
How to Get a Direct Link (Step by Step)
Step 1: Go to ImgLink
Visit imglink.cc. No account or signup is required.
Step 2: Upload Your Image
Click the upload area or drag and drop your image. ImgLink supports JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, and SVG files up to 20MB.
Step 3: Copy Your Direct Link
After uploading, you'll see your image page with multiple link formats:
- Direct Link — The raw image URL
- HTML Embed — Ready-to-paste
<img>tag - Markdown — For GitHub, Reddit, and documentation
- BBCode — For forums and message boards
- Share Link — A short link to the image page
Step 4: Paste Anywhere
Click the copy button next to any format and paste it wherever you need. The image is served via a global CDN, so it loads fast no matter where your audience is.
Tips for Better Image Sharing
- Use WebP format for smaller file sizes with the same quality
- Resize before uploading if your image is larger than needed — use our free image resizer
- Compress images to reduce page load time — try the image compressor
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the links permanent?
Yes — images uploaded to ImgLink are stored permanently on our CDN. Your links will continue to work indefinitely.
Is there a file size limit?
The maximum file size is 20MB per image. For most web use, we recommend keeping images under 5MB for optimal loading speed.
Do I need to create an account?
No. You can upload images and get direct links without signing up. Creating a free account lets you manage your uploads and track views.
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