A useful Facebook Marketplace description answers five questions: what is it, what condition is it in, what comes with it, what does it cost, and where can it be collected? Start there before adding anything promotional.
The templates below are original examples you can copy and adapt. Replace every bracketed field, remove lines that do not apply and check the finished text against the actual item. None of the examples represents inspected stock or a promised selling price.
A simple template for most second-hand items
Use this when the item does not need a long technical explanation:
[Brand/model] [item name] — [size or key dimension]
Selling [exact item and quantity].
Condition: [specific wear, damage or repairs]. See photos of [relevant detail].
Includes: [accessories or parts included].
Not included: [anything pictured that is not part of the sale, if relevant].
Price: A$[amount] for [the item/the whole bundle].
Pickup: [suburb or general area], by arrangement. Please message with your preferred collection time.
Keep the listing’s price field consistent with the description. If you change the offer, check both places rather than leaving an old price in the text.
Clothing template: labels, measurements and flaws
Clothing buyers need enough information to judge fit and condition. A label alone may not answer the fit question, so add measurements you have actually taken.
[Brand] [garment type], labelled [size], [colour]
[Brief description of cut, fabric or identifiable features.]
Labelled size: [exact wording on label].
Measurements taken flat: [measurement name] [number] cm; [measurement name] [number] cm.
Condition: [specific wear, stains, repairs, missing buttons or other faults].
Price: A$[amount]. Pickup in [suburb] by arrangement.
Listing is for [one garment / specified bundle contents].
An illustrative condition sentence is: “Light fading at the collar and a small mark on the left cuff, both shown in the close-up photos.” That tells the buyer more than “good for its age”. Only use it if those details are true of your garment.
Do not guess a fabric composition, claim a garment is vintage without a basis, or translate a foreign size into a precise Australian fit without explanation. Use the clothing measurement guide and condition wording guide when you need help being specific.
Furniture template: dimensions and collection practicalities
Furniture descriptions should help a buyer work out whether the item fits both their room and their transport.
[Item type], [colour/material if known], [key dimension]
Dimensions: [width] W × [depth] D × [height] H cm.
Condition: [scratches, chips, stains, wobble, repairs or other faults].
Includes: [exact pieces]. Items used for styling in the photos are [included/not included].
Collection: [suburb]. [Relevant lifting, disassembly or access information that you have checked.]
Price: A$[amount] for [one item/the set]. Message to agree a collection time.
Measure the item yourself. State whether dimensions are assembled if that matters. Do not promise it will fit in a hatchback unless you know the buyer’s vehicle and have checked the loading dimensions.
You can discuss exact access arrangements privately. A public listing needs useful collection information without revealing your full address.
Electronics template: describe the testing you did
“Works” can mean different things to different buyers. Record the functions you checked and the parts you could not test.
[Brand and exact model] [item type]
Included: [device, controller, charger, cables or other accessories].
Tested: [specific functions checked and the result].
Not tested: [functions you could not check].
Known issues: [faults, battery concerns, damage or missing parts].
Cosmetic condition: [visible wear].
Price: A$[amount]. Pickup in [suburb] by arrangement.
For example, “Powers on and reads the game shown; second controller port not tested” is more informative than “fully tested” when you have not tested that port. Remove your personal accounts and data before handing over a device, using the manufacturer’s procedure for that model.
This template does not make a faulty or restricted product eligible for sale. Check the item’s suitability and the destination’s rules before listing it.
Write a title from the facts
Use an understandable sequence such as brand + item + model or size + distinguishing feature. These are illustrative rewrites:
| Vague title | More useful title |
|---|---|
| Great jacket | Blue denim jacket, women’s size 12 |
| Table must go | White bedside table, 45 cm wide |
| Gaming stuff | Nintendo Wii console with remote and cables |
Only name the brand or accessories if they match the item. Unrelated brand names, unsupported claims and repeated keywords make a description less trustworthy.
Check the template before publishing
Read the finished description once as a buyer. Can you identify the item, understand its flaws and tell whether the price covers everything in the photographs? Remove unused brackets, inconsistent prices and promises copied from another marketplace.
If your original advert is on eBay or Depop, follow the Facebook crosslisting guide to review delivery wording and keep track of the same stock. Then use the posting checklist to check the destination listing after you publish.
Selling several garments together? The clothing bundle guide covers item counts, per-piece condition notes and a clear total price.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Facebook Marketplace description?
A useful description identifies the item, gives size or dimensions, explains condition and faults, lists what is included and sets out the price and collection area. It should match your photographs and the actual item.
Can I copy these listing templates?
Yes. Replace every bracketed field with accurate details and remove any line that does not apply. The templates are writing aids, not descriptions of an item we have inspected.
Should I put my address in a Marketplace description?
Use a general collection suburb in the public listing and agree the exact meeting location privately. Avoid including your home address or personal contact details in a reusable public template.