How to Extract Lazy-Loaded Images
Learn how to extract lazy-loaded images, decode data-src attributes, and capture responsive srcset sources from modern web pages.
Key Takeaways
- Lazy-loading defers offscreen image loading until user scroll.
- Real image URLs are stored in `data-src`, `data-srcset`, or `data-original` attributes.
- ImgEx inspects all data-attribute variants to extract original high-res assets.
Extract lazy-loaded images in full resolution
Use our website image extractor to extract lazy-loaded photos and responsive srcset banners.
This guide is part of our comprehensive collection on css, lazy loading & hidden media. Explore the structured learning path below:
Lazy loading is standard practice on modern websites to improve Core Web Vitals. However, it makes traditional scraping difficult because off-screen images are replaced with 1px transparent placeholder GIFs. Learn how to extract lazy-loaded images accurately.
How Lazy Loading Works
When lazy-loading is active, the src attribute contains a placeholder while the real image URL is stored in data-src or data-lazy. When the element enters the viewport, JavaScript swaps the real URL into src.
To capture lazy-loaded assets programmatically, your parser must inspect both standard attributes and all custom data-* properties. Read more in how to extract images from HTML.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ImgEx extract lazy-loaded images automatically?
Yes, ImgEx parses data-src, data-lazy, data-original, and data-srcset attributes across all HTML nodes.