How to Create Additional Image Sizes in WordPress (Easy)

The Global Presence

5 min read

·

22-10-2024

1

0

Share

Have you ever uploaded an image to your WordPress website only to find that it's displayed at a size that doesn't quite fit your design? Maybe it's too large, too small, or just the wrong aspect ratio. This is a common problem that many WordPress users face, and it can be frustrating.

Fortunately, WordPress allows you to create additional image sizes beyond the default settings, giving you more control over how your images are displayed on your website. This means you can ensure your images look their best, no matter where they appear.

Understanding Default Image Sizes

Before we dive into creating custom image sizes, let's first understand how WordPress handles image sizes by default. When you upload an image to WordPress, it automatically generates several different sizes:

• Thumbnail: A small, square image used for displaying images in lists or galleries.
• Medium: A medium-sized image used for displaying images in posts or pages.
• Large: A larger version of the image that is often used for displaying featured images.
• Full Size: The original, unedited version of the image.

These default sizes are often a good starting point, but they may not always be suitable for all your needs. For example, you might need a smaller image for your social media posts, or a larger image for your homepage slider.

Creating Custom Image Sizes in WordPress

To create custom image sizes, you can use either the WordPress dashboard or by adding code to your functions.php file.

Option 1: Using the WordPress Dashboard

Here's how to create a custom image size using the WordPress dashboard:

1. Navigate to Settings > Media: Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings > Media.
2. Scroll to the "Image Sizes" section: Find the "Image Sizes" section at the bottom of the page.
3. Click "Add New Size": Click the "Add New Size" button to create a new image size.
4. Enter a name and dimensions: Give your new image size a descriptive name. Then, enter the desired width and height in pixels.
5. Choose cropping options: You can choose how the image is cropped by selecting "Crop" or "Scale."
6. Save your changes: Click "Save Changes" to save your new image size.

Option 2: Using the functions.php File

If you need more granular control or want to create more complex image sizes, you can use the functions.php file in your WordPress theme.

1. Access your functions.php file: Use your FTP client or cPanel file manager to access your theme's functions.php file.
2. Add the following code:

function add_image_size( $name, $width, $height, $crop = false ) {
    add_image_size( $name, $width, $height, $crop );
}

Explanation:

• add_image_size(): This function is used to add a new image size.
• $name: This parameter defines the name of the new image size.
• $width: This parameter defines the width of the new image size in pixels.
• $height: This parameter defines the height of the new image size in pixels.
• $crop: This optional parameter specifies whether the image should be cropped (true) or scaled (false).

Example: To create a custom image size called "featured-slider" with a width of 1200 pixels and a height of 600 pixels, and cropped to maintain aspect ratio, you would use the following code:

add_image_size( 'featured-slider', 1200, 600, true ); 

3. Save your changes: Save your functions.php file after adding the code.

Using Your Custom Image Sizes

Once you've created your custom image sizes, you can use them in your WordPress posts and pages.

1. Using the Media Library: When you're editing a post or page, you can access the media library to add an image. If you want to use one of your custom sizes, you'll see the option to choose it from the "Image Size" dropdown.

2. Using Shortcodes: You can also use shortcodes to display images in your posts and pages using a specific custom image size. For example, to display an image using the "featured-slider" image size, you would use the following shortcode:

[img src="path/to/your/image.jpg" size="featured-slider"]

3. Using CSS: You can style your custom image sizes with CSS to ensure they display correctly on your website. For example, if you want to add a specific class to an image using a custom size, you can use the following CSS:

.featured-slider {
    max-width: 1200px;
    margin: 0 auto; 
}

Optimizing Image Sizes

It's essential to optimize your image sizes to ensure they load quickly and don't slow down your website's performance.

1. Use the Right File Format: Use the most appropriate file format for your images. For example, use JPG for photographs, PNG for images with transparency, and GIF for animated images.

2. Compress Your Images: Use a tool like TinyPNG or Kraken.io to compress your images without sacrificing quality.

3. Use Lazy Loading: Lazy loading is a technique that delays the loading of images until they are in the viewport. This can significantly improve website performance, especially on pages with many images.

4. Optimize Image Size and Aspect Ratio: Consider the dimensions and aspect ratio of your images, and make sure they are appropriate for their intended use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about creating custom image sizes in WordPress:

1. Can I create multiple custom image sizes? Yes, you can create as many custom image sizes as you need.

2. What happens to my existing images when I create a new image size? WordPress will not automatically resize your existing images to the new size. You will need to regenerate thumbnails to apply the new image size to your existing images.

3. How do I regenerate thumbnails? There are several plugins available that can regenerate thumbnails for your existing images. You can also use the regenerate_thumbnails() function in your functions.php file.

4. How do I delete a custom image size? You can delete a custom image size from the "Image Sizes" section in the WordPress dashboard. However, if you created the image size using code, you will need to remove the relevant code from your functions.php file.

5. Can I create custom image sizes for specific post types? No, you cannot create custom image sizes for specific post types. Custom image sizes apply to all images uploaded to your WordPress website.

Conclusion

Creating custom image sizes in WordPress is a valuable technique for controlling how your images are displayed on your website. By customizing image sizes, you can optimize your website's appearance, improve performance, and enhance the user experience.

Remember to optimize your image sizes for the best results, ensuring fast loading times and a positive user experience.

Note: Always test your changes on a staging environment before making them live on your production website.