Is It Legal to Download Pinterest Images?
It depends on what you do with the file. Downloading a public pin for personal use is often treated differently from re-uploading or selling someone else’s work — but copyright still belongs to the rights holders.
Last reviewed: 25 October 2026 · General information, not legal advice.
What copyright means for pins
Creators (or their licensors) usually own the rights in the photo, video, or design on a pin. Pinterest hosting a public pin does not mean the file is free to reuse commercially.
Personal use versus sharing or reposting
| Use | Lower or higher risk | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Private offline reference | Often lower | Personal viewing on your device |
| Re-upload as your own | Higher | Misrepresents authorship |
| Ads or products without a license | Higher | Commercial use needs rights |
What Pinterest’s terms say
Pinterest’s terms and help pages describe how the service may be used and how content is shared on the platform. Read the current terms on Pinterest’s site — we paraphrase only at a high level: public sharing on Pinterest is not the same as a license for you to redistribute files elsewhere.
How to stay on the right side
- Works better: download your own uploads; personal offline reference when allowed; public pins only through tools that never ask for a password.
- Avoid: private boards and secret pins; mass scraping to republish; commercial reuse without a license.
If someone copied your content
See the DMCA and copyright policy for how to send a notice. Also review our Terms of Service.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
This is not legal advice. For a specific case, talk to a lawyer in your country.
Is downloading always illegal?
No single answer fits every country and every use. Personal offline use of a public pin is often treated differently from commercial reuse. This is not legal advice.
Does FetchPins give me rights to the file?
No. You get a copy of public media the pin already serves. Rights stay with the creators.
Can I download private pins?
No. FetchPins never asks for a Pinterest login.
Where do I send a takedown?
Use the DMCA page and email fetchpins@gmail.com.