While WordPress doesn't directly resize images during the upload process through its core features, you can resize images after they are uploaded using the built-in image editor. Here's how:
Steps to Resize Images After Uploading:
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Navigate to Media → Library: In your WordPress dashboard, go to the "Media" section and select "Library."
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Select an Existing Image or Upload a New One: Choose the image you want to resize, or upload a new image by clicking "Add New" at the top of the Media Library page.
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Click on "Edit Image": Once you've selected the image, click on it. This will open a larger preview of the image. Then, click the "Edit Image" button below the preview.
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Under "Scale Image," Enter New Dimensions: On the Edit Image screen, you'll see a section labeled "Scale Image." Here, you can enter your desired width and/or height. WordPress will automatically calculate the other dimension to maintain the aspect ratio, unless you've unlocked the aspect ratio.
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Click "Scale": After entering the new dimensions, click the "Scale" button. This resizes the image.
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Save Your Changes: Click the "Save" button to save the resized image. You have a few save options:
- Save: Overwrites the original image with the resized version. Use with caution!
- Save as a new copy: Keeps the original image intact and creates a new resized image file. This is generally the preferred method.
Important Considerations:
- Image Quality: Resizing images, especially scaling them up significantly, can sometimes lead to a loss of quality and pixelation.
- Aspect Ratio: By default, WordPress maintains the aspect ratio of your images when resizing. If you want to change the aspect ratio (e.g., crop an image), you'll need to use the cropping tools also found in the Edit Image screen.
- Alternative Solutions for Resizing on Upload: While WordPress core doesn't offer this feature, you can find various plugins that automatically resize images upon upload. These plugins often provide more advanced options, such as setting maximum dimensions, compressing images, and generating multiple sizes for different display purposes. Search the WordPress plugin repository for terms like "image resize on upload" or "image optimization."
- Large Images: If you frequently upload very large images, it's generally a good practice to resize them before uploading to WordPress using an image editing program like Photoshop, GIMP (free), or online tools. This can save server space and improve website loading times.
