Why do Solana tokens and NFTs need a metadata URI?

Wallets and explorers load name, symbol, description, and image from off-chain JSON pointed to by an on-chain URI. A stable, reachable URI keeps assets displaying correctly after launch.

What does Irys provide here?

Irys uploads give you permanent storage URIs and gateway URLs you can paste into create or update flows. Solana Toolset uses the same Irys path on several create tools.

Can I upload many files in one session?

Yes. The Upload Metadata tool accepts multiple images and JSON files, processes them in batches, and lets you download a CSV of viewable URIs when the run finishes.

Upload Solana Metadata and Images with Irys

Solana tokens and NFTs usually store a short on-chain pointer to richer off-chain metadata: a JSON document with name, symbol, description, and an image link. That pointer is the metadata URI. If the URI breaks or never resolves, wallets show blank or generic placeholders even when the mint is fine.

Permanent storage vs temporary hosts

Hosting art on a personal server or a short-lived CDN works for demos and fails quietly in production. Creators prefer permanent storage so marketplaces and wallets can keep resolving the same URI years later. On Solana Toolset, several create and update flows upload through Irys, which returns Arweave-backed URIs and Irys gateway URLs you can open in a browser.

What to prepare

Square or high-quality images for token logos or NFT art.
JSON metadata that matches the standard your mint path expects (classic Metaplex token metadata fields, Core asset JSON, or compressed NFT metadata).
A funded wallet on the network you selected in the header (Devnet for practice, Mainnet for production).

Bulk upload on Solana Toolset

Open Upload Metadata & Images, connect your wallet, drag in many files or pick them from disk, and choose a batch size. The tool uploads through Irys and builds a results table. When the run completes, download a CSV that includes each file name, status, storage URI, and a viewable gateway URL.

Past runs for the connected wallet are listed on the Dashboard Uploads tab in the same browser so you can reopen links or re-download the CSV.

Using the URIs next

Create Classic Token or Create Token-2022 when you already have image and metadata URIs.
Create Compressed NFT or Create Core NFT for NFT launches.
Update Classic Token when you need to point an existing mint at new metadata.

Devnet first

Practice uploads on Devnet with faucet SOL from Solana Faucets. Confirm gateway links open correctly before you reuse the same workflow on Mainnet.

Ready to upload? Start at Upload Metadata & Images.

Use the tool: Upload Metadata & Images — Bulk-upload files and download a CSV of URIs.

Related tools

Upload Metadata & Images

Bulk-upload files and download a CSV of URIs.

Create Classic Token

Create a token using your uploaded metadata URI.

Create Compressed NFT

Mint with art and metadata you prepared.

Upload Solana Metadata and Images with Irys — FAQ

Why do Solana tokens and NFTs need a metadata URI?: Wallets and explorers load name, symbol, description, and image from off-chain JSON pointed to by an on-chain URI. A stable, reachable URI keeps assets displaying correctly after launch.
What does Irys provide here?: Irys uploads give you permanent storage URIs and gateway URLs you can paste into create or update flows. Solana Toolset uses the same Irys path on several create tools.
Can I upload many files in one session?: Yes. The Upload Metadata tool accepts multiple images and JSON files, processes them in batches, and lets you download a CSV of viewable URIs when the run finishes.