How to Add Custom Sprites to Scratch (Step-by-Step, 2026)

Adding your own custom sprites is the fastest way to make a Scratch project feel like yours instead of a cat-and-button demo. The good news: Scratch accepts any SVG, PNG, JPG, or GIF file, and adding one takes less than a minute. This guide walks through every method step by step — including how to do it on a tablet or iPad, where the menus look different.

Three Ways to Add Custom Sprites

How to Add a Sprite from Your Device (Computer)

This is the method most people need. You can upload any image saved on your computer:

1. Open your project at scratch.mit.edu and click Create, or open an existing project.
2. Find the sprite panel — the area in the bottom right that shows your current sprites (the cat, by default).
3. Hover over the circle with a plus at the bottom of the sprite panel. A menu pops out with four choices: Choose a Sprite, Paint, Surprise, and Upload Sprite.
4. Click Upload Sprite.
5. Select your file (SVG, PNG, JPG, or GIF) in the file picker and click Open.

Your image appears on the stage immediately as a new sprite, with its own scripts and costumes tabs. If you uploaded a PNG or JPG with a solid background, see the troubleshooting section below for how to remove it.

How to Add a Sprite from a URL (Quick Trick)

You can also drag an image file straight from your desktop onto the sprite panel — Scratch imports it the same way as uploading. This works in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox on both Windows and Mac.

How to Add High-Quality Custom SVG Sprites

Uploading a small PNG works fine until you resize it — then it gets blurry. SVG (vector) sprites stay sharp at any size and support layered animation, where arms, legs, and accessories can move independently.

Here's the workflow we recommend for game-quality characters:

1. Get a layered SVG sprite. You can download free Scratch sprites from KidSprite's library — every sprite is layered SVG, organized by category, and free to download.
2. (Optional) Preview or customize it first. On any sprite page in the library, click Edit this image — it opens the KidSprite editor with that sprite already loaded on the canvas, ready to recolor or tweak.
3. Upload the SVG into Scratch using the Upload Sprite steps above.
4. Animate it. Because the SVG has separated layers, you can select individual body parts inside Scratch's paint editor and create costumes for walking, waving, and more.

How to Add Custom Sprites on Tablet / iPad

The Scratch mobile app and mobile browser version support custom sprites too — the steps are just slightly different:

1. Open your project in the Scratch app (iOS/Android) or in your tablet's browser.
2. Tap the circle with a plus above the sprite panel.
3. Swipe the option bar and tap Upload (on some versions it appears as an arrow/upload icon).
4. Choose the source: on iPad, pick Photo Library for images, or Browse / Files to select an SVG file you saved earlier.
5. Tap your file — the sprite appears on the stage.

iPad tip: Safari and the Scratch app handle SVG uploads from the Files app perfectly. If a website download saves as a .zip, unzip it first (long-press → Uncompress), then upload the .svg file inside.

Stylus tip: the built-in Paint tab on tablets supports finger and Apple Pencil drawing, so you can also trace over an uploaded photo to make an original character.

Troubleshooting Common Upload Problems

My sprite has a white box around it

You uploaded a JPG (which can't store transparency) or a PNG without a transparent background. Fix it in Scratch's Costumes tab: use the Fill tool with transparency (the option at the bottom of the color picker) and click the background. Or better, start from an SVG sprite, which preserves transparency automatically.

My sprite is gigantic / tiny on the stage

Pixel images import at full size. Drag the corner handles on the stage to resize, or use the set size to () % block so the size is always right when the project starts.

My SVG looks like one solid blob

Some exported SVGs flatten all shapes into a single path. Re-export with "keep layers" enabled, or download a properly layered sprite from the free sprite library, where every asset is built for Scratch animation.

The upload button does nothing on my school computer

Some school networks block file downloads. Try downloading the sprite at home, or use a cloud drive (Google Drive, iCloud) to move the file to the school device first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add custom sprites to the Scratch desktop app?

Yes — the desktop and mobile apps have the same Upload option as the website. Steps are identical: plus button → Upload → choose file.

Do custom sprites work in shared projects?

Yes. Once a sprite is inside your project, it is saved with the project. When you share it, everyone who plays it sees your custom characters — no extra steps.

What size should I make my sprite images?

For a main character, aim for roughly 200-500 pixels tall before uploading, then scale on stage. SVG files don't need any size planning at all — that's one of their biggest advantages.

Can I copy a sprite from someone else's project?

Yes. Open any shared project and use File → Save to your computer (or remix it), then drag the sprite between two open project tabs in the editor.

Does adding many sprites slow my project down?

It can, especially with large PNGs and complex scripts. Under 30 sprites is a comfortable limit for most devices, including tablets.

Start Adding Custom Sprites Now

The fastest path: browse the free Scratch sprite library, pick a layered SVG character, and hit Edit this image to open it in the editor — then upload it into Scratch and start coding. No signup required to browse and download.

Keep Exploring

• Custom Scratch Sprite Maker — create a sprite with AI or start from a template
• How to Make Custom Sprites in Scratch: 5 Methods Compared — pick the right creation method for your project
• How to Convert PNG/SVG to a Scratch Sprite — turn existing images into code-ready sprites
• Scratch Sprites: The Complete Guide — what sprites are and how to control them with code