LibGuides: Free Images

The only reliable way to use Google Images to find public domain images is to restrict your picture search to government web sites. You can do this by using “site:.gov” like so:

1. Go to Google Image Search.
2. Type in the subject you’re looking for and site:.gov. For example, site:.gov earth.

The result will include a bunch of US government produced images that will be copyright free, so long as government employees produced them as part of their jobs. Be aware, though, that the works of state governments may be protected by copyright.

For instance: site:;gov chemical warfare