When it comes to knowing the elements of WordPress, there is a lot to figure out. One of them being featured images. So what is a WordPress featured image and how can you edit and change their sizes and dimension?
Before we get into the tutorial on how you can change the WordPress featured image size, here is a brief overview of how a featured image can be a useful tool to attract viewers. A featured image is an image which represents your whole article and the content by showcasing itself under the heading of your blog post. One of the important elements to enhance the presentation of your blog, you can add these from Posts and Pages option from your Dashboard. It gives you the option to add a custom header images to match your content and also allows you to set the thumbnail for the special features of your unique theme.
Why is it important to know the predetermined image size?
Sometimes while working with different themes and templates, there comes a situation when your images just don’t work out like they do on their demo sites. Why? Well, that is the reason why you should know the importance of the image sizes.
All of the WordPress templates comes with their predetermined image sizes that are consistent so that your blog is clean and clutter-free. So, if you are having trouble with images that don’t fit and align, the image size is probably not the right size.
So how do we determine what size is right for the featured images or any images for that matter? Well, after researching and googling, we have narrowed it down to these two methods as the most efficient and easy.
Method 1: Theme Documentation
Most of the free as well as premium WordPress themes offer a detailed theme documentation. You get them as you download or purchase the theme. If you can’t find the theme documentatio link, you can directly contact the theme providers and ask the theme documentation.
Theme documentation helps you not just with featured image size, but with overall theme configuration and customization. So, please check out theme documentation first for featured image size. I have seen most of the themes have this info mentioned on documentation.
In case it is not mentioned there, you can follow the steps given below.
Method 2: Saving Images
The basic and easiest way to figure out the size of an image is by saving them to your computer and going through its properties. While this is quite easy, you should keep in mind that an image size differs depending on whether it is opened in a single page or an archive page. The ones on the archive pages are usually shown as a thumbnail that has smaller sizes.
So before saving an image, be sure to open the image in a new page first. You can then save the image to your computer and go through its properties to find the ideal size that can be used on your blog.
Well, you may still have a problem to do this if you are going to start everything on your own without importing the demo data. The problem may be which featured image to save and inspect. So, always open the theme demo site on which the theme authors use the correct featured image size. Now, you can open a single post and save the featured image on your local device and learn the image details and dimensions.
Method 3: Extensions
This is another method that helps you determine the image size by using the browser extension- MeasureIt that help measure the image size on a specific page.
First, add the extension MeasureIt to your browser and install it. You can find this both on Chrome and on Firefox.
After installation, you can then use the tool to measure any image size and dimension on a specific page. Easy and efficient you now have the dimensions required for a WordPress featured image.
After the basics, let’s get into the more complicated part, shall we? The option to add, change and customize the WordPress Featured image size and dimension. We have divided the tutorial into three different parts for you to get the clearer picture and better understanding.
Step 1: Adding a Featured Image
When it comes to adding a new featured image, it is a simple process that takes minimal time and effort. Be sure to have your image ready to upload before adding a new WordPress featured image.
If you wish to add a featured image or a new Post Thumbnail, it is as easy as 1-2-3. Simply select Set Featured Image option from the meta boxes on the right-hand side of Add New Post or Add New Page.
You can then add the image either by uploading or dragging the image to the window. Once you are done, you can ‘save your changes using the Set Featured Image option on the bottom. You can upload files up to 8 MB and you have the choice to create one that is unique and appealing to your viewers.
Step 2: Customizing WordPress featured image size
Method 1: Using Plugins.
After setting up your WordPress featured image, you can then go ahead and customize the dimension to your liking. Although most of the themes have already defined the default size of the featured image, you can easily customize this setting with the help of WordPress plugins.
Here, for example, we have used the WordPress plugin- Simple Image Sizes. You can download this plugin directly from the official WordPress website or from the link we have provided.
Once you finish downloading and installing the plugin, you will find the option to resize the images on your plugin settings.
Once you click on this, this will redirect you to media settings on the dashboard. So, alternatively, you can go to Settings and Media on the admin panel.
Now, you will see additional features to customize the image sizes.
After resizing the WordPress featured image size, you also need to generate your existing featured images. After making changes to the image size, make sure to do that.
Save the changes and your newly customized featured image is ready.
Method 2: Using CSS
If you are a beginner, this method might not be that easy to understand, but once you get the hang of it, you realize that it is in fact pretty easy.
Go to your page where you wish to adjust the WordPress featured image size. Right-click on the featured image and select Inspect.
Once the menu appears, check the menu at the right-hand side and locate the option for width and height.
You can then change the width and height manually by entering the dimensions that you want. Now copy the changed dimensions and paste them in the Additional CSS box on your WP dashboard.
Then, save changes and you are done!
Step 3: How to Change or Remove Featured Images
So you have uploaded your WordPress featured image and customized it’s size and dimension, but when you look at it, you don’t like it. How do you change it? Or how do you remove it?
Well simple as that. Locate the featured image section on your post editing page where you can see ‘Remove featured image‘ link below the featured image you added.
Then, just follow the same instructions as while adding a featured image. This way, you can easily change the featured image for a specific WordPress post.
Summarizing It All!
Featured Image can be a great way to keep your viewers and readers engaged on your article and keep it interesting. While it can be a great way to represent all of the articles it is also important to know the right WordPress featured image size for your particular blog theme. While it can be a little tricky to change the size and dimension to fit your requirement, you will find it easy once you import get the hang of the whole process.
With the help of our thorough step-by-step guide, we hope we have solved all your confusions regarding the WordPress featured image dimensions. You now know the importance of knowing the right image size and how to find it out. If you still have any queries regarding this please let us know down in the comment section.
If you liked our article on WordPress Featured Image size, why not check out our other WordPress tutorials?