# How to set the best WordPress image size for quick loading The content management system [WordPress](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/cms/wordpress-the-cms-for-more-than-just-blogs/ "WordPress: The CMS for more than just blogs") offers the possibility to use individual image formats in addition to standard image sizes. We present important steps to customized image sizes, based on WordPress 6.0.3. ## The default image sizes in WordPress The file size of images embedded on a website has a great impact on its loading speed. Optimal image formats shorten the loading time and reduce the memory load on the server. The WordPress CMS offers a set of standardized image sizes on the server when uploading media.
WordPress standard image sizes Size (L x H) in pixels Aspect ratio
Preview images 150 x 150 Can be deactivated
Medium 300 x 300 Retained
Large 1024 x 1024 Retained
Original image As uploaded Retained
Tip Let your name do the talking. Have it your way with [domain registration](https://www.ionos.com/domains/domain-names "Cheap domain registration from IONOS"). ## Save WordPress images in the backend and adjust sizes These image sizes are defined in the WordPress settings and can be adjusted there within certain limits. To do this, go to “Settings” > “Media” in the backend. [![Image: Image size settings in the WordPress backend](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/a/2/csm_wordpress-image-size-dashboard-settings_352db3d3cb.webp "Image size settings in the WordPress backend")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/wordpress-image-size-dashboard-settings.png) You can customize the preset default image sizes in the WordPress dashboard. After the media upload, there are additional files in the media library. The directory for this is `https://mydomain.com/wp-content/uploads/` or `https://mydomain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/` (if month- and year-based folders are enabled). For example, an image is in the following files: - sample-image-1024x683.jpg - sample-image-150x150.jpg - sample-image-1536x1024.jpg - sample-image-2048x1365.jpg - sample-image-300x200.jpg - sample-image-620x413.jpg - sample-picture-scaled.jpg (2.560 x 1.707 px) - sampleimage.jpg (the original) This provides the best image sizes for most WordPress pages or posts. Images for upload to the media library should not be larger than 1,920 pixels at the long edge of the image. They can be resized before uploading with [free image editing programs](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-design/photo-editing-software-testing-free-tools/ "Photo editing software: testing free tools") to avoid unpleasant surprises. That applies to [WebP image format](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-design/webp-format/ "WebP-Format"), which is not natively supported by all browsers. These are the recommended image sizes for use in WordPress themes:
WordPress image sizes Size (L x H) in pixels
Logos 200 x 100
Preview images 150 x 150
Background images 1920 x 1080
Post images in portrait format 900 x 1200
Post images in landscape format 1200 x 900
Header images (banner) 1048 x 250
Slider images (theme dependent) Up to 1920 x ca. 600
[![Image: Common image sizes in WordPress](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/b/2/csm_wordpress-common-image-sizes-on-a-website_dcb1876f49.webp "Common image sizes in WordPress")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/wordpress-common-image-sizes-on-a-website.png) Commonly used image sizes for WordPress websites at a glance. Photo source: ESB Professional/shutterstock.com The concrete required image dimensions depend on the [components and structure of a WordPress theme](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-themes-elements-and-structure/ "WordPress themes: elements and structure"). They can be found in the documentation of the respective theme. ## Resize images in the WordPress media library WordPress image sizes can also be adjusted. Besides changing the original image dimensions, cropping, rotating and flipping are possible. For example, to create a slider photo from an image with larger dimensions in the media library, proceed as follows: ### Step 1: Select image in the media library and click “Edit image” [![Image: Image editing in WordPress library](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/9/e/csm_wordpress-media-library-image-size-editing_1bed39b7cd.webp "Image editing in WordPress library")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/wordpress-media-library-image-size-editing.png) Select an image from the WordPress media library for custom image resizing. Photo source: ESB Professional/shutterstock.com ### Step 2: Set editing method and size [![Image: Set new image size in WordPress library](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/c/2/csm_wordpress-media-library-set-new-image-size_2eab7969fa.webp "Set new image size in WordPress library")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/wordpress-media-library-set-new-image-size.png) Change the image to the desired size using the crop editing method It is worth noting that the **crop button must be used twice**: once to activate the function and then a second time after setting the image dimensions to perform the operation. Tip Want to store files as safely as possible? Use [HiDrive Cloud storage](https://www.ionos.com/office-solutions/hidrive-cloud-storage "HiDrive Cloud storage from IONOS"). You can rest assured your data is safely stored to the highest data storage standards. ### Step 3: Save image to media library [![Image: Save resized image to WordPress library](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/1/a/csm_wordpress-media-library-save-resized-image_6ef7788eea.webp "Save resized image to WordPress library")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/wordpress-media-library-save-resized-image.png) “Save” will save the resized image to the WordPress library After saving the scaled image, the upload folder contains the file - preview-image-scaled-e1667121439976.jpg **in another five formats** with the automatically assigned ID …-e1667121439976. The newly created image sizes can be selected from the media library in the Gutenberg editor when inserting or exchanging them. The pixel dimensions of the image are then also available there. Tip If your chosen WordPress theme doesn’t offer sliders, you can take a look at the range of [WordPress slider plugins](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-slider-plugins/ "WordPress: Slider plugins"). ## Adjust image size when inserting into the WordPress content The images from the WordPress media library are inserted into the content. This enables sizes to be adjusted afterwards within broad limits. The [WordPress Gutenberg editor](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-gutenberg/ "WordPress Gutenberg") offers much more extensive possibilities compared to the classic editor TinyMCE. [![Image: Define best image sizes in WordPress post/page](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/8/8/csm_wordpress-best-image-sizes-for-a-post_ac2291e388.webp "Define best image sizes in WordPress post/page")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/wordpress-best-image-sizes-for-a-post.png) Using the Gutenberg block settings for images and the toolbar, an image can be resized as much as possible when inserted into a post or page. The alt text (! If you want to save your custom settings for later reuse, you can use the Gutenberg **“Add to reusable blocks”** section and also lock it against accidental modification. This is a huge labor saver if you frequently publish new posts. For profession-specific sites, such as a [photographer’s website](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/website-creation/build-photography-website/ "Build photography website"), additional image formats may be needed to perfectly represent your vision. Our guide “[compress images](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-design/compress-images-with-the-help-of-free-tools/ "Compress images with the help of free tools")” gives further help to adjust image sizes, e.g. for [WordPress gallery plugins](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-gallery-plug-ins/ "WordPress gallery plug-ins"). Tip [WordPress lazy loading](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-lazy-loading/ "WordPress lazy loading") is another way to improve website loading times. In this case, images are loaded only when they enter the visible area while scrolling the web page. ### Disable WordPress default sizes for images The easiest way to disable the default image sizes is to use the **“Disable Media Sizes”** plugin. In its settings, all seven generated image formats are also listed. [![Image: Disable preset image sizes in WordPress using a plugin](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/6/3/csm_wordpress-disable-preset-image-sizes_7bf4ef8bc2.webp "Disable preset image sizes in WordPress using a plugin")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/wordpress-disable-preset-image-sizes.png) The “Disable Media Sizes” plugin allows you to disable the generation of preset WordPress image sizes With the plugin settings shown, the **deselected formats are not generated at all**. The upload of the original image cannot be “switched off”. This is an advantage if you want to generate other formats later after all. Note Adding further image formats or suppressing them is also possible with **entries in the WordPress core files** functions.php and index.php. However, this should be reserved for experienced programmers. A first overview of the programming language can be found in our [PHP beginner tutorial](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/website-creation/learn-php-our-all-encompassing-php-tutorial-for-beginners/ "Learn PHP: our all-encompassing PHP tutorial for beginners"). ## Further optimize images for WordPress with plugins In practice, images are mainly used as JPG and PNG. The file sizes of these image formats can be further adjusted with image editing programs. In Photoshop, there is a query for quality when saving or exporting. The disadvantage of this method is that each image must be “touched” individually and then uploaded. Plug-ins are a more elegant solution. These often have a **wide range of functions**, so a close look at the documentation of the plugin used is advisable. High installation numbers and good ratings have, for example, the following **WordPress plugins for adjusting WordPress file and image sizes**: - EWWW Image Optimizer: Supports the formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, PDF, WebP, SVG - TinyPNG: Supports JPG, PNG, WebP - Imagify: Supports JPG, PNG, PDF, GIF, WebP - Regenerate Thumbnails: not updated for some time now - Image Regenerate & Select Crop: likewise Remember before trying plugins: A [WordPress backup](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/create-wordpress-backup/ "Create WordPress backup") protects against data loss if something really goes wrong. ## Summary: Optimize WordPress image sizes With the on-board tools of WordPress, many optimal image sizes can already be achieved. With plugins more extensive possibilities are available. The intervention in the PHP code of a WordPress site should be reserved for programming professionals. And finally: Keep the [image SEO](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/online-marketing/search-engine-marketing/image-seo-optimizing-photos-and-images-for-google/ "Image SEO: optimizing photos and images for Google") in mind when optimizing. This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-image-sizes/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-image-sizes/) for AI/LLM consumption.