# How to increase the WordPress upload size limit [WordPress](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/cms/wordpress-the-cms-for-more-than-just-blogs/)’s file upload limit is usually 4 to 128 MB, which ensures server efficiency. This limit can be increased in different ways, however. You can contact your web hosting provider, adjust the configuration values in the **wp-config.php** or php.ini file, or choose one of the alternative options. ## WordPress upload limit: definition and scope The WordPress upload limit is the maximum size of files you can upload to your WordPress website. It is usually between **4 and 128 MB** (although this depends on the host). You can find the exact limit in the backend of your WordPress website. The reason for the upload limit is because when you try to upload files that are too big, it can cause the server to time out and in the worst-case crash. Therefore, its purpose is to **preserve the site’s performance** and prevent (cybercriminal) users from impairing it. --- ### Tip Do you want to launch a website? Take advantage of [Hosting for WordPress](https://www.ionos.com/hosting/wordpress-hosting "Hosting for WordPress from IONOS") from IONOS to start your professional website today — including a domain, SSL certificate, and even more. --- ## When and why increase WordPress upload size? It makes sense to increase the default upload size in WordPress if you want to upload files that are too large. This can happen when building websites that should have **high-resolution photos, longer videos, etc**. Photographers who plan to [sell their photos online](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/sell-photos-online/) know how important it is to upload images in **optimal quality**. ## Instructions: How to check and increase your WordPress upload limit size ### Check WordPress upload limit As mentioned, you can find out what the limit of uploadable files is in the WordPress backend. To do this, tap on “Media” and “Add file”. Below the uploader, you’ll find the **maximum file size for uploads**. In our case this is 128 MB. If this is exceeded, then the following error message will be displayed: “\[File name\] exceeds the maximum upload limit for this site.” [![Image: Screenshot of the file uploader in the backend of a WordPress website](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/6/5/csm_screenshot-of-the-file-uploader-in-the-backend-of-a-wordpress-website_bf9248c093.webp "Screenshot of the file uploader in the backend of a WordPress website")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/screenshot-of-the-file-uploader-in-the-backend-of-a-wordpress-website.png) In the media library of the WordPress dashboard, you can find the file uploader indicating the WordPress upload limit. Another way to check the WordPress upload limit is via “**Tools**” and “**Site Health**”. There you will see all the important information listed in the report, including the maximum file size. --- ### Tip [Register your domain](https://www.ionos.com/domains/domain-names "Buy & register a domain for an affordable price - IONOS") at IONOS and benefit from various advantages such as 24/7 customer service and comprehensive SSL protection. --- ### Increase the WordPress upload size If you want to increase the WordPress upload size, you have **several options** to choose from, which we will present to you in detail: - Contact the support of your web hosting provider - Increase the upload limit for a WordPress multisite - Edit the wp-config.php file - Edit the php.ini file - Access the PHP options in the cPanel #### Contact the support of your web hosting provider The simplest method that can be used to increase your WordPress upload size **entails contacting your host**. Depending on the provider, this can be done by phone, email, chat, or contact form. It is advisable to **mention what your desired upload size is**. Check the size of the files you want to upload so that you’ll know what limit to request. IONOS has all the contact information on its extensive [contact page](https://www.ionos.com/contact "Contact page - IONOS"). [![Image: Screenshot of the IONOS contact page](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/7/b/csm_screenshot-of-the-ionos-contact-page_16b0aa5b7d.webp "Screenshot of the IONOS contact page")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/screenshot-of-the-ionos-contact-page.png) Contact your web hosting provider and ask them to increase the WordPress upload size for your website. / Source: https://www.ionos.com/contact #### Increase the upload limit for a WordPress multisite If you run a [WordPress multisite](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-multisite/), which is a network of various WordPress websites, then you can **adjust the upload limit for the whole network**. To do this, open the settings in your WordPress backend and access the network settings. Here you have the option “**Maximum upload file size**” where you can enter your desired WordPress upload limit. Be sure to specify the value in kilobytes (e.g. 200000 KB would be 200 MB) and save your changes. --- ### Tip Are you not satisfied with your current web hosting provider? Then why not consider [migrating your WordPress site](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-migration-tips-for-server-migration/)? This can be performed either manually or with the help of a plugin. A [WordPress domain migration](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-domain-change-and-domain-transfer/) can also be brought quickly underway. --- #### Edit the wp-config.php file The WordPress upload limit can also be increased using the **WordPress wp-config.php file**. This file can be found in the main folder of your WordPress installation and is only accessible via [FTP](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/file-transfer-protocol/). Enter the following code in the file: ```none define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '200M'); ``` This piece of code increases your upload limit to 200 MB. Change the amount if you have a different limit in mind. [![Image: Screenshot of wp-config.php file with code to use to increase upload limit](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/5/3/csm_screenshot-of-wp-config.php-file-with-code-to-use-to-increase-upload-limit_0f34e1ec43.webp "Screenshot of wp-config.php file with code to use to increase upload limit")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/screenshot-of-wp-config.php-file-with-code-to-use-to-increase-upload-limit.png) Enter the code “define('WP\_MEMORY\_LIMIT', '200M');” in the wp-config.php file, to increase your WordPress upload limit to 200 MB. #### Edit the php.ini file Another configuration file that can be used is the **php.ini file**, which you may have to create first via FTP or SSH. Here is where the following configurations (possibly with other values) will be displayed: ```none upload_max_filesize=128M; post_max_size=128M; memory_limit=1024M; ``` Adjust the first two values to increase your WordPress upload size and save your changes at the end. [![Image: Screenshot of php.ini file with selected configurations highlighted](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/c/7/csm_screenshot-of-php.ini-file-with-selected-configurations-highlighted_3bc11db6db.webp "Screenshot of php.ini file with selected configurations highlighted")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/screenshot-of-php.ini-file-with-selected-configurations-highlighted.png) Adjust the configuration values in the php.ini file to increase your WordPress upload limit. #### Access the PHP option in the cPanel If you are using the **cPanel configuration tool**, there is another way you can increase your WordPress upload size. To do this, first search for “Select PHP version” and then select the PHP options. Now you just need to **adjust the configuration values** mentioned in the previous section and save your changes. --- ### Tip You can [create a WordPress site](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/creating-a-website-with-wordpress-a-beginners-guide/) in just a few steps. However, unexpected problems or errors can always occur. These can be found quickly thanks to [WordPress debug mode](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/technical-matters/wordpress-debug/), but they often aren’t fixed as quickly. Therefore, it is a good idea to create a test environment — known as a [WordPress staging](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/setting-up-wordpress-staging/) site. It is also advisable to [create a backup of your WordPress website](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/create-wordpress-backup/) regularly. --- ### Summary If you want to upload very large files to WordPress that exceed the upload limit, there are various ways you can increase the limit to make the upload possible. The easiest way is via **web hosting provider support**. Otherwise, you can set the **desired configuration values** yourself. For example, if you plan to [create a WordPress blog](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-blog/ "WordPress blog") that will contain high-resolution photos, long videos, etc., you will most likely need to increase the WordPress upload size. --- This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/increase-wordpress-upload-size/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/increase-wordpress-upload-size/) for AI/LLM consumption.