How to Upload Large Images in WordPress

Recently, one of our users asked us how they can upload large images in WordPress. While this used to be a common issue years ago, most modern WordPress hosting providers now offer generous upload limits (often 64MB to 512MB) that accommodate most image sizes.

In fact, if you’re hitting upload limits today, it’s worth considering whether you actually need such large files. Most high-quality web images are well under 5MB, and proper optimization can reduce them further without losing visible quality.

However, if you do need to upload exceptionally large files (like high-resolution photography or design files), we’ll show you how to adjust these limits. Just keep in mind that very large images can slow down your website and affect user experience.

Understanding WordPress Image Upload Limits

Most WordPress hosting plans today allow files between 64MB and 512MB, so hitting the upload limit is uncommon.

If you see an error like “filename.jpg exceeds the maximum upload size for this site”, it’s often caused by hosting restrictions, PHP memory limits, or server settings, not WordPress itself.

For context, typical optimized images are much smaller than most limits.

• Blog post images: 1–2 MB – balance visuals with page speed.
• Product photos: 2–3 MB – high detail for e-commerce, optimized for fast loading.
• Header images/banners: 2–4 MB – optimize above-the-fold content.
• Portfolio images: 3–5 MB – showcase detail without slowing your site.
• High-res originals (RAW, TIFF, PSD): 5–50 MB+ – usually convert before uploading.

To check your current upload limit, go to Media » Add New in your WordPress dashboard.

If you run into issues, this guide will show you how to fix upload limits so you can easily add large files to WordPress.

How to Increase Maximum Image Upload Size in WordPress

If you want to upload large images and media files in WordPress, then here is how you will fix the image upload size issue in WordPress.

This method requires you to add code in WordPress. If you haven’t done that before, don’t worry, because we’ll use a free code snippet plugin called WPCode to do this safely.

To get started, you need to install and activate the free WPCode plugin. For instructions, see this tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Once the plugin is activated, go to the Code Snippets » + Add Snippet page from your WordPress dashboard.

From there, click the ‘+ Add Custom Snippet’ button under the ‘Add Your Custom Code (New Snippet)’ option.

Next, add a title for your code and paste the following snippet into the ‘Code Preview’ box.

Keep in mind that for upload_max_size and post_max_size, this method may not always work reliably as these settings are often read before WordPress plugins fully load.

@ini_set( 'upload_max_size' , '256M' );
@ini_set( 'post_max_size', '256M');
@ini_set( 'max_execution_time', '300' );

Make sure to replace ‘256M’ with your desired maximum file size. For large uploads, also ensure that the post_max_size is equal to or greater than upload_max_size.

Don’t forget to select ‘PHP Snippet’ as the code type from the dropdown menu on the right side of the screen.

Finally, simply switch the toggle from ‘Inactive’ to ‘Active.’

Then click the ‘Save Snippet’ button.

This code attempts to increase the upload maximum file size, post maximum size, and maximum execution time limits for your WordPress site.

However, for upload_max_size and post_max_size, this method may not always work reliably because hosting server configurations often override script-level ini_set calls, or these settings are read before WordPress plugins execute.

If this snippet doesn’t solve your issue, you may need to increase your WordPress memory limit or contact your hosting provider to adjust these PHP settings for you.

You can also refer to our comprehensive guide on how to increase maximum file upload size in WordPress for more advanced methods.

Do You Really Need to Upload Large Image Files in WordPress?

Let’s put image sizes in perspective. As we mentioned, most truly optimized web images should be well under 1MB, even for high-quality photography.

Even if you’re a professional photographer wanting to showcase your work, remember that web visitors don’t need the same resolution as print media.

A properly optimized image (ideally under 1MB) can look just as stunning on screen as a 15MB one while loading much faster.

Large image files affect your website in several ways:

• Slower page load times
• Higher hosting storage usage
• Reduced search engine rankings
• Poor user experience on mobile devices

Here’s what we recommend Instead:

1. Optimize your images before uploading as we recommended.
2. Use a gallery plugin like Envira Gallery for photography websites. It automatically handles image optimization and creates responsive galleries that load quickly on all devices.
3. Consider using a CDN (Content Delivery Network) like Envira CDN if you have a large image library. CDNs serve your images from servers worldwide, improving load times and user experience. For more recommendations, see our picks of the best WordPress CDN services.

Frequently Asked Questions About Uploading Large Images in WordPress

Here are some questions that our readers have frequently asked about uploading large images in WordPress:

How do I upload a 100 MB file in WordPress?

You can upload a 100 MB file by increasing your WordPress upload limit through your hosting settings, php.ini, or using a plugin like WPCode. Most hosts allow 64–512 MB by default, so you may just need to adjust your configuration.

What is the maximum image size in WordPress?

The maximum image size in WordPress depends on your hosting settings. Most providers allow uploads from 64 MB to 512 MB, which is more than enough for standard web images and portfolios.

What is a good image size for WordPress?

A good image size for WordPress balances quality and speed:

• Blog posts: 1–2 MB
• Product images: 2–3 MB
• Header images: 2–4 MB
• Photography portfolios: 3–5 MB

Is JPEG or PNG better for WordPress?

JPEG is usually better for WordPress photos because it keeps file sizes smaller, while PNG is ideal for graphics or images needing transparency. Choosing the right format helps your site load faster.

For more information, you can see our guide on WebP vs. PNG vs. JPEG: The Best Image Format for WordPress.

That’s all, we hope this guide helped you learn how to upload large images in WordPress. You may also want to see our guide on effective WordPress design elements and our picks of the best drag-and-drop WordPress page builders.

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