When a file such as an image, video or sound clip is uploaded to Wikipedia or the Wikimedia Commons, an associated file description page is created (also known as an image description page or file page). The purpose of these pages is to provide information about the file: for example the author, date of creation, who uploaded the file, any modifications that may have been made, an extended description of the file's subject or context, where the file is used, and license or copyright information. In the case of an image, the file description page shows a higher resolution version of the image, if available.

To view the file description page for an image or video, click on the image itself. For a sound file, click on the information icon, , near the sound clip link.

A file description page consists of five parts:

• The contents of the file itself.
• The editable section: This should include a description of the file, plus source and copyright information. When editing, this section allows Wikipedia:Wiki Markup Language (also known as Wikitext) and should include some or all the parameters of Template:Information.
• File history: If a new version of a file is uploaded with the same name, the existing file is replaced and becomes available via file history. See Help:Page history.
• File usage: A list of pages that embed the file (including pages where the file appears as part of a template). If a file is stored on Commons and used on other Wikimedia wikis, a "Global file usage" section will be included as well.
• Metadata (images only): Technical information about the file and the equipment used to create it (camera model, etc.).

The following are examples of different types of files:

• Image example
• Video example
• Sound example
• Mixed content example (DjVu in this case, but could also be PDF)

The editable section of the page is used to describe the file and provide additional information. Initially this section automatically contains the upload summary supplied when the file was first uploaded. The following are useful things to put on a file page:

E.g.: "Image of a goldfish in a small tank". This should not be an alternative text (see alternative text for images), but rather a description. This is useful for users who do not have direct access to the image, and is a temporary substitute for a proper longdesc tag.

If you downloaded the file from somewhere else, you should give details of source, author, etc. If you made the file based on other sources, you should cite them. See Wikipedia:Cite your sources.

This is where you write the additional information about the file and how it was created, where, when, how, and by whom, as well as what the image is and what it is about. Example: "A picture I took underwater with a ___ camera, of a ____ fish." or "An original illustration of cars from the future and their bent wheels."

Most articles that use images will have a caption, but this will probably be shorter than the image's full description, and more closely related to the text of the article.

Keep in mind that everyone who sees this image in an article and clicks on it for more information (or to enlarge it) arrives at the file description page.

If you made the image yourself, there are certain questions which only you can answer. Because you may not be around to answer those questions later, you should include this information in the description page when you upload the image. This will help other editors to make better use of the image, and it will be more informative for readers.

For photographs:

• Where was the photograph taken?
• When was the photograph taken?
• What are the names of all the people and notable objects visible in the photograph?
• What is happening in the photograph?
• Who was the photographer?

For synthetic pictures:

• Diagrams and markings should be explained as completely as possible.
• If necessary, a legend or key should be provided.

Technical information for photographs:

• If a film camera was used, provide the model number, lens information and exposure settings.
• What post-production modifications were made? (adjustments to color, contrast etc.)

Technical information for synthetic images:

• What software was used to create or edit the image?
• What pre-existing sources (free images, photos, etc.) were used as inputs?

All files must be provided with copyright information. This includes the author, the file's source and the file's license. All files must either be freely licensed or suitable for "fair use" (a low resolution image or only part of a song for example). You should choose the most appropriate tag from Wikipedia:File copyright tags. Please be aware that the copyright holder (the original creator of the file, their employer, or an official designee), not the uploader, decides on the licensing for the image, and that "fair use" of non-free files has a specific definition. Please read Wikipedia:Copyrights, Wikipedia:Image use policy, Wikipedia:Fair use guideline, and Wikipedia:Non-free content for information about what images are acceptable to upload. If you have a question about a specific image, you can ask at Wikipedia:Media copyright questions.

Example:

• See also: Flag of the United Kingdom

If other versions (especially a larger version) of the same file exists, link to them.

• [[Media:Goldfish-in-tank2.jpg|different camera angle]] ([[:Image:Goldfish-in-tank2.jpg|info]])
• [[Media:Goldfish-in-tank-textfree.jpg|textfree version]] ([[:Image:Goldfish-in-tank-textfree.jpg|info]])

Textfree versions are useful for using across language versions.

Files available on Wikipedia can be stored on Wikipedia or on Wikimedia Commons. If a file is stored on Commons the following message will be shown on the file's description page: