Label AI images – free, with the official EU icons
A clear sign of AI, right in the image: choose an image, place the EU icon, save it labelled at original resolution. Your image never leaves your device.
How to label your image in three steps
1Choose image
2Adjust icon
3Save
Sample
Sample image
–
Drop image here
Drag the icon or click into the image · fine-tune with ←→↑↓, add ⇧ for larger steps
Export–
First choose your own image or drag it onto the preview – the sample image is for display only.
The law since 2 August 2026
When does an AI image have to be labelled? The EU rules explained simply
Since 2 August 2026, Article 50 of the AI Act has applied throughout the EU. In short: anyone who professionally publishes images that were created or altered with AI and could appear authentic must disclose this visibly. This tool helps you do that – with exactly the icons the European Commission designed for the purpose.
Does this apply to me?
Yes, if you use images professionally or commercially
Company website, online shop, a business’s social media channel, adverts, property listings, club flyers with advertising, influencer posts that earn money, freelance work. Size doesn’t matter – sole traders are included too.
No, if you act purely privately
Sending an AI image to friends or posting it on your private profile is not covered by the obligation. But other people’s rights – for example to their own face – still apply.
What happens if you don’t comply?
Enforcement lies with the market surveillance authority designated by each EU member state. Fines can reach €15 million or 3% of worldwide annual turnover – for small businesses, whichever is lower applies.
Depending on the country, often more likely in practice: action by competitors under unfair competition law. After all, a missing icon can be spotted with the naked eye – unlike many other infringements.
Which images are affected?
What must be labelled are so-called deep fakes. That sounds like a scandal, but it simply means: an image that could look real but comes wholly or partly from an AI. Whether you intended to deceive doesn’t matter. Take the three-point test:
1Does the image show something that really exists or could exist – a person, a product, a room, an event?
2Was it generated by AI or altered by AI in substance?
3Could someone believe it is a real photo?
Three times yes? Then label it.
Examples: does this image have to be labelled?
Example
Label?
Empty flat virtually furnished with AI (property listing)
Yes
AI-generated “staff photo” of a person who doesn’t exist
Yes
Product photo with the background extended or replaced by AI
Yes
Dragon above the Atomium in Brussels
Noobviously not real
Comic illustration for a blog
Noclearly drawn
Photo only cropped, brightened, denoised
Nostandard editing
What is exempt from the obligation?
Standard image editing. Brightness, contrast, cropping, sharpening, denoising, red-eye correction – this is not AI manipulation within the meaning of the law.
Evidently artistic, satirical or fictional works. A discreet note is enough here, for example in the caption or the credits.
Older images. Anything you published before 2 August 2026 does not have to be labelled retroactively. The Commission does recommend it, however, where it can be done without much effort.
What must the label look like?
Immediately recognisable. Without any aids, at the latest when someone sees the image for the first time.
Directly in the image. Not just in the text next to it: captions get lost when images are shared, saved or screenshotted. That is exactly why this tool embeds the icon in the image file.
With the official EU icons. The Commission provides three variants free of charge: AI GENERATED for images created entirely by AI, AI MODIFIED for real images altered with AI, and a basic icon. In the Commission’s user tests, the icon with text was understood much better than without.
Easy to read. Large enough, high in contrast, not hidden in a corner or cut off. There is no pixel requirement – the tool’s default (20% of the image width) is a good starting point.
Accessible. Also write “AI-generated” or “edited with AI” in the alt text on your website so that people using screen readers are informed too.
Invisible watermarks are not enough. Metadata and machine-readable marking are an obligation of the AI providers – they don’t replace your visible label.
Good to know
An icon does not automatically make an image lawful. The rights of the people depicted, copyright, data protection and trade mark law continue to apply. This page explains the rules in general terms and is no substitute for legal advice on an individual case.
Frequently asked questions about AI labelling
Do I have to label every AI image?
No. The obligation only applies to images that could appear authentic – so-called deep fakes – and only when they are used professionally or commercially. Obviously invented illustrations, abstract graphics or comics don’t need an icon.
I’m a private individual – does the labelling obligation apply to me?
No. Anyone who uses AI purely privately and not professionally is exempt from the labelling obligation – even if the image ends up on social media. As soon as you earn money with it regularly or use it for a company, an association or your freelance work, the obligation applies.
Which of the three EU icons should I use?
“AI GENERATED” if the image was created entirely by AI. “AI MODIFIED” if a real photo was altered in substance with AI – for example objects removed, the background replaced or faces changed. The basic icon without text is meant for cases where you add your own explanatory text.
Is a note in the caption enough?
For evidently artistic or satirical works, yes. For all other deep fakes, the EU code of practice recommends embedding the label directly in the image so that it survives sharing, downloading and screenshots.
Where do I get the official EU icons?
The European Commission provides them free of charge as SVG and PNG, without you having to credit the Commission. This tool already includes all variants – you don’t need to download anything.
Is my image uploaded?
No. The tool runs entirely in your browser. Your image never leaves your device – there is no server, no account and no cookies.
How big does the icon have to be?
The law does not specify a pixel size, but it does require clearly recognisable labelling. Rule of thumb: the icon must still be legible in a small preview on a phone. The default of 20% of the image width is a good starting point.
Does this also apply to video, audio and text?
Yes. Article 50 of the AI Act also covers AI-generated video, audio recordings and certain texts – each with its own rules. This tool is designed for images.