diff --git a/src/groundlight/client.py b/src/groundlight/client.py
index a603edd3..09308439 100644
--- a/src/groundlight/client.py
+++ b/src/groundlight/client.py
@@ -637,6 +637,7 @@ def submit_image_query(  # noqa: PLR0913 # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments, t
         inspection_id: Optional[str] = None,
         metadata: Union[dict, str, None] = None,
         image_query_id: Optional[str] = None,
+        request_timeout: Optional[float] = None,
     ) -> ImageQuery:
         """
         Evaluates an image with Groundlight. This is the core method for getting predictions about images.
@@ -718,6 +719,8 @@ def submit_image_query(  # noqa: PLR0913 # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments, t
         :param image_query_id: The ID for the image query. This is to enable specific functionality
                             and is not intended for general external use. If not set, a random ID
                             will be generated.
+        :param request_timeout: The total request timeout for the image query submission API request. Most users will
+            not need to modify this. If not set, the default value will be used.
 
         :return: ImageQuery with query details and result (if wait > 0)
         :raises ValueError: If wait > 0 when want_async=True
@@ -731,7 +734,11 @@ def submit_image_query(  # noqa: PLR0913 # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments, t
 
         image_bytesio: ByteStreamWrapper = parse_supported_image_types(image)
 
-        params = {"detector_id": detector_id, "body": image_bytesio, "_request_timeout": DEFAULT_REQUEST_TIMEOUT}
+        params = {
+            "detector_id": detector_id,
+            "body": image_bytesio,
+            "_request_timeout": request_timeout if request_timeout is not None else DEFAULT_REQUEST_TIMEOUT,
+        }
 
         if patience_time is not None:
             params["patience_time"] = patience_time
diff --git a/test/integration/test_groundlight.py b/test/integration/test_groundlight.py
index c68e47ea..40c74f12 100644
--- a/test/integration/test_groundlight.py
+++ b/test/integration/test_groundlight.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
     PaginatedDetectorList,
     PaginatedImageQueryList,
 )
+from urllib3.exceptions import ReadTimeoutError
 
 DEFAULT_CONFIDENCE_THRESHOLD = 0.9
 IQ_IMPROVEMENT_THRESHOLD = 0.75
@@ -348,6 +349,17 @@ def test_submit_image_query_with_human_review_param(gl: Groundlight, detector: D
         assert is_valid_display_result(_image_query.result)
 
 
+def test_submit_image_query_with_low_request_timeout(gl: Groundlight, detector: Detector, image: str):
+    """
+    Test that submit_image_query respects the request_timeout parameter and raises a ReadTimeoutError when timeout is
+    exceeded.
+    """
+    with pytest.raises(ReadTimeoutError):
+        # Setting a very low request_timeout value should result in a timeout.
+        # NOTE: request_timeout=0 seems to have special behavior that does not result in a timeout.
+        gl.submit_image_query(detector=detector, image=image, human_review="NEVER", request_timeout=1e-8)
+
+
 @pytest.mark.skip_for_edge_endpoint(reason="The edge-endpoint does not support passing detector metadata.")
 def test_create_detector_with_metadata(gl: Groundlight):
     name = f"Test {datetime.utcnow()}"  # Need a unique name