How to identify image metadata with ImageMagick

Image metadata can explain why an upload was rejected, why a design handoff has the wrong dimensions, or whether a file still carries comments and format-specific properties before it is shared. ImageMagick can inspect those details from the terminal without opening the image in an editor.

ImageMagick 7 uses the magick identify command to report image format, canvas size, colorspace, depth, compression, and other file characteristics. Adding -verbose expands the report to include channel statistics, properties, format-specific fields, and the pixel signature.

Metadata availability depends on the image format and the data embedded in the file. A JPEG from a camera may expose EXIF fields, while an exported or optimized image may only show basic format properties, comments, dimensions, and compression details.

1. Identify the image format and dimensions.

   $ magick identify photo.jpg
   photo.jpg JPEG 1200x800 1200x800+0+0 8-bit sRGB 43471B 0.000u 0:00.000

   Replace photo.jpg with the image file being checked. Some systems still provide an ImageMagick 6 compatibility command named identify, but the ImageMagick 7 form is magick identify.

2. Print the detailed metadata and properties report.

   $ magick identify -verbose photo.jpg
   Image:
     Filename: photo.jpg
     Format: JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group JFIF format)
     Mime type: image/jpeg
     Geometry: 1200x800+0+0
     Colorspace: sRGB
     Depth: 8-bit
   ##### snipped #####
     Compression: JPEG
     Quality: 92
     Orientation: Undefined
     Properties:
       comment: Catalog handoff sample
       jpeg:colorspace: 2
       jpeg:sampling-factor: 1x1,1x1,1x1
       signature: 02f005e619ed99dd84731574b244b3e72c3d9ab55e9046c88914dfb99cce08ec
     Filesize: 43471B
     Number pixels: 960000
   ##### snipped #####

   The Properties section is where embedded comments and format-specific properties appear. The signature line is a hash of the pixel data, not an author, camera, or location field.

3. Print only the fields needed for a handoff or script.

   $ magick identify -format "format=%m\ngeometry=%wx%h\ncolorspace=%[colorspace]\ndepth=%z-bit\ncomment=%c\n" photo.jpg
   format=JPEG
   geometry=1200x800
   colorspace=sRGB
   depth=8-bit
   comment=Catalog handoff sample

   -format limits the output to selected fields, which keeps tickets, asset manifests, and batch logs from carrying the full verbose report.

4. Check for exposed EXIF fields when the image should contain camera metadata.

   $ magick identify -format "%[EXIF:*]" photo.jpg

   No output means ImageMagick did not expose an EXIF property block for that file. Check the original image before assuming the camera, date, or location metadata was never present.

5. Verify the field that matters before using or sharing the file.

   $ magick identify -format "comment=%c\n" photo.jpg
   comment=Catalog handoff sample

   Use the narrowest field check for the decision being made, such as dimensions before a layout handoff, colorspace before print preparation, or comment and EXIF fields before publishing.

   Related: How to strip image metadata with ImageMagick