Question: Can DynamoDB store images?

Answer

Yes. DynamoDB can store small images as Binary attributes, provided the complete item fits within 400 KB. In most applications, storing the image in S3 and its metadata in DynamoDB is a more practical design.

The limit includes the image bytes, primary key, attribute names and every other attribute. It is not a separate 400 KB allowance for each image. SDKs can handle Binary values directly; encoding the file yourself as a base64 String increases its stored size.

For an S3-backed design, keep the bucket, object key, content type, size and any owner or access metadata in the DynamoDB item. Generate a short-lived download URL when the client is authorized to read the file instead of persisting a presigned URL that will expire.

Uploading the image and writing its metadata are separate operations. Handle failed uploads, failed item writes and orphaned objects explicitly. Deleting a DynamoDB item does not automatically delete its S3 object; a stream consumer can perform that cleanup if your application needs it.

See item-size calculations and DynamoDB Streams for sizing and lifecycle handling.

Source: AWS large-item guidance.