Size of freatured image in a WordPress post

Common Recommended Sizes

• Default Full-Width Post Header:
  • 1200 x 628 pixels (standard for many themes and social sharing platforms like Facebook and X.com).
  • Maintains a good aspect ratio (usually 16:9 or 3:2) for readability and responsiveness.

• Thumbnail or Grid Layouts:
  • 150 x 150 pixels (small thumbnail for blog excerpts or widgets).
  • Ensure clarity even in smaller sizes.

• Medium-Sized Featured Images:
  • 300 x 200 pixels (common for sidebar or non-full-width layouts).

• Medium-Sized Featured Images:
  • 600 x 400 pixels (common for sidebar or non-full-width layouts).

• High-Resolution Screens (Retina Displays):
  • Double the resolution of your target size (e.g., 2400 x 1256 for a 1200 x 628 display) for sharper images on high-DPI devices.

Theme-Specific Sizes

• Check Your Theme Requirements: Some themes specify exact sizes for featured images. Go to your theme’s documentation or WordPress settings under:
  • Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS
  • Or directly in the theme files.

Best Practices

1. Maintain Consistency:
   Use the same dimensions for all featured images to keep your blog layout clean and professional.
2. Optimize for Speed:
   • Compress images using tools like TinyPNG or plugins like Smush.
   • Large, unoptimized images can slow down your site.
3. Aspect Ratio Matters:
   Use standard ratios like 16:9, 4:3, or square (1:1) to avoid distortion on various screen sizes.
4. Responsive Design:
   WordPress automatically generates multiple sizes (e.g., thumbnail, medium, large). Upload high-quality images so WordPress can scale them for different devices.