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How to Change the Default Gravatar Image Size in WordPress

WordPress requests avatars at 96 pixels by default. Change one call with get_avatar(), adjust processed avatar data with a filter, or choose different fallback artwork in Discussion settings.
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WordPress requests Gravatar images at 96 pixels by default. To change one avatar, pass a different size to get_avatar(). To adjust avatar data more broadly, use the get_avatar_data filter—but themes and plugins can supply their own sizes, so check the component that displays an avatar if the change is not consistent. The Discussion setting for “Default Avatar” selects fallback artwork; it does not set image dimensions.

First, identify what you want to change

“Default Gravatar image size” can mean either the dimensions requested for an avatar or the fallback artwork shown for someone without a usable Gravatar. Those are separate settings:

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  • Image dimensions: adjust the size passed to WordPress’s avatar functions, or how the resulting image is displayed.
  • Fallback artwork: choose the image used when a user has no usable Gravatar. This is controlled separately in Discussion settings.

WordPress documents 96 pixels as the default size for both get_avatar() and get_avatar_data(). The get_avatar() reference and get_avatar_data() reference describe the parameters and defaults.

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Change the size of one avatar

If you control the code that calls get_avatar(), pass the desired size in pixels as its second argument. For example:

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echo get_avatar( $user_id, 64 );

This requests a 64-pixel avatar for that call. Replace $user_id with the user, email address, or comment author value appropriate to your code. The function’s size argument is documented in the WordPress function reference.

When using avatar data and needing different width and height values, set width and height explicitly. The API normally derives both from size, so separate dimensions are useful only when the output should not be square.

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Adjust avatar data across the site with a filter

For a code-level change beyond one call, the get_avatar_data filter lets you modify the processed arguments used to build avatar data. Add a narrowly scoped callback to a site-specific plugin or a child theme’s functions.php, rather than editing WordPress core or a parent theme that may be updated:

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add_filter( 'get_avatar_data', function ( $args, $id_or_email ) {
    $args['size']   = 64;
    $args['width']  = 64;
    $args['height'] = 64;

    return $args;
}, 10, 2 );

This sets the processed size and dimensions to 64 pixels while returning the other arguments unchanged. WordPress’s get_avatar_data hook reference documents the filter. The function reference also notes that invalid or zero size values fall back to 96, and that width and height default to the size value.

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Check components that do not follow the change

A filter is not a guarantee that every avatar on a site will look the same. A theme or plugin can pass its own size to an avatar call, and CSS can change the displayed dimensions without changing the requested image size. If only some avatars change:

  • Identify which template, widget, shortcode, or plugin produces the unchanged avatar.
  • Check its settings or code for a specific avatar-size argument.
  • Inspect the image’s rendered width and height in the page styles; CSS sizing affects appearance, not necessarily the requested Gravatar image size.
  • Test the affected page after the change, including a page where the theme or plugin renders avatars.

For a widget or plugin, use its own size setting or shortcode/function argument if available. Controls differ by component: a WordPress.org support discussion about a recent-comments widget, for example, describes that widget’s default settings as lacking an avatar-size control and points to CSS or a shortcode option as alternatives. That example is specific to the widget discussed, not a rule for all WordPress widgets: the support discussion.

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Change the fallback avatar, not its dimensions

In the WordPress admin, go to Settings → Discussion and find Default Avatar. Choose the fallback artwork you want displayed when a user does not have a usable Gravatar. This option selects the image; it does not set its pixel dimensions. The avatar_defaults hook can add choices to the available default-avatar list; see the WordPress hook reference.

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Which approach should you use?

Approach Scope What it controls Main consideration
get_avatar() size argument One function call The requested size for that avatar Other calls can continue using their own sizes.
get_avatar_data filter Processed avatar data wherever the filter applies Size and, if needed, width and height A theme or plugin may pass its own size, and CSS may affect displayed dimensions.
CSS Elements matched by the styles Rendered appearance It does not necessarily change the image size requested from WordPress or Gravatar.
Settings → Discussion → Default Avatar Fallback-avatar choice Which default artwork appears It does not control dimensions.
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When the avatar URL needs to change

For ordinary sizing, use the size argument or get_avatar_data. The separate pre_get_avatar_data hook is relevant when customizing or replacing the avatar URL: returning a non-null url can short-circuit the normal avatar-data retrieval. It is not the first choice for a simple dimension change; see the pre_get_avatar_data reference.

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