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To add an image in WordPress, open a page or post, insert an Image block, then upload a file, choose an existing image from the Media Library, or insert an image URL. Add useful alt text, select an appropriate image size, and set a Featured Image separately if the theme needs one for the page or post.
Choose how to add the image
In the current WordPress block editor, open the page or post you want to edit. Select the + block inserter and choose Image, or type /image in an empty block and select Image. Then choose the source that matches your situation:
| Option | Use it when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | The image is on your computer or device and you want WordPress to store it. | The file becomes part of the site’s Media Library and can be reused. |
| Media Library | The image has already been uploaded to this WordPress site. | Choose the existing asset rather than creating another copy. |
| Insert from URL | The image is hosted elsewhere and you have a reason to display it from that location. | If the original file is moved, deleted, or no longer shared, the image may stop appearing. If you have permission, use the Image block toolbar’s upload-to-Media-Library control to save a copy. |
After adding the image, use the block toolbar and settings sidebar to adjust alignment, dimensions, resolution, and caption. Available image sizes depend on the theme and the source file. Choose a smaller intermediate size when the full-size original is not needed.
Find and reuse images in the Media Library
Open Media > Library in the WordPress dashboard to browse images already stored on the site. The library also supports uploading one file or multiple files directly. Images inserted into posts and pages are stored there, so an upload does not need to be repeated every time you reuse the same asset.
The Media Library displays details including file name, MIME type, file size, dimensions, title, and alt text. Select an item to edit its details. The Edit Media screen supports caption and description changes as well as rotate, scale, and crop operations. The Image block editor can also edit an image; WordPress keeps the original available when a changed version is saved there.
Write alt text that serves the reader
Alt text communicates an informative image’s purpose or relevant content to people who cannot see it, including some screen-reader users. Describe what matters in the context of the page, rather than listing every visible detail or repeating nearby text. For example, if a screenshot illustrates a setting, name the setting or action the image is meant to explain.
- Informative image: Write concise alternative text that conveys the information the image contributes.
- Decorative image: Leave the alt text empty or mark the image decorative when it adds no information. This avoids distracting users with redundant descriptions.
Alt text entered in an Image block applies to that image in that page or post. Alt text saved in the Media Library can provide a default when the image is inserted elsewhere. Check the block’s settings after inserting an image, especially when it is being reused in a different context.
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Set a Featured Image
A Featured Image is separate from an image placed in the page or post content. Open the page or post settings sidebar and choose Set featured image, then select an existing asset or upload one. The active theme determines where and how that Featured Image is displayed, such as in a post listing or page header; the same image may appear differently across themes.
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Do not make every visitor download the largest source image if the layout only displays a smaller version. Select an appropriate image resolution in the block settings, and upload a source with dimensions suited to the design. WordPress has generated responsive image markup since version 4.4: its srcset and sizes attributes let a browser request an appropriate intermediate file rather than always downloading the full-size original.
Use responsive image sizes
WordPress creates intermediate image sizes when files are uploaded. Keep the image’s width and height information intact, and avoid replacing responsive output with a hard-coded full-size source unless you have a specific reason. The theme and any performance plugins can affect the final markup, so confirm the image is still displayed at the intended size on desktop and mobile.
Consider WebP
WordPress added WebP support in version 5.8. The WordPress Developer Resources Theme Handbook says WebP images are “around 30% smaller on average than their JPEG or PNG equivalents.” That is an average stated by the handbook, not a guarantee that every image will shrink by that amount. If you convert files with a plugin or other image workflow, check that the resulting format is supported by the site’s delivery setup and that image quality remains acceptable.
Let lazy loading and priority work appropriately
WordPress 5.5 added native lazy loading for eligible images, using loading="lazy" when width and height attributes are present. Lazy loading can defer off-screen image downloads, but the page’s main image near the top should not be delayed unnecessarily. Where a theme or performance tool exposes lazy-loading controls, avoid lazy-loading the primary above-the-fold image.
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Check the result before publishing
- Preview the page or post and confirm the image appears where you placed it.
- Check the layout at a narrow mobile width as well as desktop; look for cropping, overflow, or an image that is too small to understand.
- Confirm the caption, if present, is useful and that the alt text reflects the image’s purpose.
- If the image is the page’s hero or thumbnail, confirm you set it as the Featured Image and review how the active theme presents it.
- Publish or update the page when the content and image settings are correct.
Common problems and fixes
The image is not showing
If you inserted it from a URL, the remote file may have been moved, deleted, or made unavailable. Replace the URL with a working image or, if you have permission, upload a copy to your Media Library. For a locally uploaded image, reopen the page and Media Library to verify that the selected asset still exists and that the page changes were saved.
The image looks blurry or too small
Check the selected resolution in the Image block settings. A small intermediate version enlarged in the layout can look soft; select a more suitable available size or use a higher-resolution source. Conversely, selecting the full-size original when it is not needed can waste bandwidth.
The image is cropped or appears in an unexpected place
Check the block’s dimensions and alignment, and distinguish an in-content Image block from a Featured Image. Featured Image placement is controlled by the active theme, so inspect the theme’s page or post preview rather than expecting it to appear at a fixed location.
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A large image slows down mobile loading
Use an appropriately sized source and an intermediate image size where it preserves enough detail. WordPress responsive markup can serve different intermediate files to different screens. If you use a format-conversion or caching tool, check for compatibility with the theme and other performance tools instead of stacking overlapping optimizations.
The image has no meaningful accessibility description
Edit the Image block’s alt text for an informative image. If the image is purely decorative, leave the alt text empty or use the decorative treatment rather than adding a description that repeats nearby content.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find images I have already uploaded?
Open Media > Library in the WordPress dashboard.
Does adding an image to a post automatically set it as the Featured Image?
No. Use Set featured image in the page or post settings sidebar; the theme controls its presentation.
Should a decorative image have alt text?
No. Leave its alt text empty or mark it decorative when it adds no information.
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