anthropics
[Feature Request] Increase API image size limit from 5MB to 10MB to match claude.ai
Summary
The Anthropic API currently has a 5MB image size limit, while the claude.ai web interface supports 10MB images. This inconsistency creates friction for users of Claude Code and other API-based tools.
Current Behavior
- Claude.ai (web): Accepts images up to 10MB ✅
- Anthropic API (Claude Code): Accepts images up to 5MB only ❌
When users attempt to use images larger than 5MB with Claude Code, they receive:
API Error: 400
image exceeds 5 MB maximum: XXXXX bytes > 5242880 bytes
Requested Change
Increase the API image size limit from 5MB to 10MB to match the existing capability in claude.ai.
Rationale
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Consistency: Users expect the same capabilities across all Anthropic products
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Proven capability: 10MB support already exists in claude.ai, demonstrating it's technically feasible
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Real-world use cases:
- Generated images (DALL-E, Midjourney, Flux) often exceed 5MB
- High-resolution screenshots for debugging
- Detailed diagrams and technical documentation
- Modern smartphone photos in high quality
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Current workaround is friction: Users must manually resize/compress images before using them, which:
- Breaks workflow continuity
- May reduce image quality needed for accurate analysis
- Adds unnecessary technical burden
Example Use Case
I have an 8.2MB generated image (JPEG) that I'd like to analyze with Claude Code. The image works fine on claude.ai, but Claude Code rejects it due to the 5MB API limit. I shouldn't need to manually resize an image that works perfectly fine on your web interface.
Related Issues
This inconsistency has caused problems documented in multiple bug reports:
- #8202 - Image Exceeds 5MB breaks session
- #2104 - Image Upload Exceeds 5MB
- #12167 - Image exceeds 5MB causes corruption
- #8227 - Image Size Exceeds 5MB Limit
Proposed Solution
Simply increase the API's max_image_size parameter from 5MB to 10MB to achieve parity with claude.ai.
This would benefit all Anthropic API consumers (not just Claude Code) and eliminate an artificial limitation that doesn't exist in your own web product.
