---
title: How to Resize Images Before Uploading Them to Your Website
description: "## TL;DR - **Resize photos before you upload them.** Open the photo in your computer's photo editor, set the width to 1,920 pixels or less, and save it as a new copy. - **Full-width images: 1,920 pixels wide at most.**…"
url: "https://webmasterforhire.us/knowledge-base/wordpress-care-and-maintenance/resize-images-before-uploading/"
updated: "2026-10-19"
category: WordPress Care and Maintenance
---

# How to Resize Images Before Uploading Them to Your Website

## TL;DR

- **Resize photos before you upload them.** Open the photo in your computer's photo editor, set the width to 1,920 pixels or less, and save it as a new copy.
- **Full-width images: 1,920 pixels wide at most.** That's the maximum we've used for portfolio photos.
- **Save a copy.** Keep your original, full-size photo for print.
- **Oversized images slow your site** for every visitor.

## How to Resize an Image

1. **Open the photo** in the photo editing program that came with your computer.
2. **Find the resize option.** It's often under an Edit, Image, or Tools menu.
3. **Set the width** to 1,920 pixels or less. Keep the proportions locked, so the photo doesn't stretch.
4. **Save it as a new copy,** using Save As or Export, so your original stays untouched.
5. **Save photos as JPG.** JPG files are usually smaller than PNG.

## Why Resize Images Before Uploading?

Big files take longer to download, especially on phones. As Beth told one client, "One image that should be 100 KB is actually 4.5 MB." That one photo was about 45 times heavier than it needed to be.

After one portfolio update, Beth told the client, "I went through and resized all portfolio images to a maximum of 1,920 pixels wide for faster downloads for your visitors."

## What Size Should Website Images Be?

- **Pixels** are the tiny dots that make up a digital image. Image width is measured in pixels.
- **Full-width images,** like banners and gallery photos: no wider than 1,920 pixels.
- **Smaller spots,** like a photo beside text, don't need the full 1,920 pixels.
- **File size** is measured in KB (kilobytes) and MB (megabytes). One MB is about 1,000 KB. For most website photos, aim for KB, not MB.

## Common Image Mistakes

- **Uploading straight from your phone or camera.** Those files are much larger than a web page needs.
- **Stretching a small image bigger.** Pixel images blur when enlarged. See [What Logo File Formats Do I Need for My Website and Print?](/knowledge-base/planning-a-new-website-or-redesign/logo-file-formats-website-print/)
- **Replacing your only copy.** Keep the full-size original for print and future use.

## What Webmaster For Hire Recommends

- **Resize first, then upload.**
- **Name files clearly,** so it's easy to tell which photo goes where.
- **Rather not do it yourself?** Send us the originals. See [How to Send Large Photos, Videos, and Files to Your Webmaster](/knowledge-base/working-with-webmaster-for-hire/send-large-photos-videos-files/)

## :: Common Questions ::

### Will Resizing Make My Photos Look Worse?

Not at website size, as long as you start from a larger original and only make it smaller.

### Why Is My Site Still Slow After I Resized My Images?

Images are only one cause. See [Why Is My WordPress Website So Slow?](/knowledge-base/wordpress-care-and-maintenance/why-wordpress-website-slow/)

## Have a Folder of Photos to Add?

See our [Webmaster Retainer](https://webmasterforhire.us/website-services/webmaster-services-monthly-retainer/), or [request a consultation](https://webmasterforhire.us/request-a-consultation/).