Uploading a high-resolution image only to have it reduced in size on your live site can be frustrating. You want to display intricate photography or artwork, but WordPress often blurs the finer details.
We have encountered this same problem with our image galleries at CanadaCreate. Thankfully, you don’t have to compromise between website speed and stunning, high-quality visuals.
In this guide, we will explore four simple methods to showcase full-size images in WordPress.
When Should You Use Full-Size Images in WordPress?
A situation where you might need to use full-size images in WordPress is if you operate a photography portfolio or a graphic design shop. If you offer your work as digital downloads, displaying large images can help potential customers appreciate their true quality.
Even if you manage a WooCommerce store for physical products, there may still be instances where you need to show full-size images. You can provide a product thumbnail that users can click to view the original image size and zoom in on the item’s details.
However, large images can lead to several issues. They may slow down your website, which can negatively impact your search engine optimization (SEO).
WordPress now automatically resizes large images during uploads to prevent server timeouts when handling large files.
If an image exceeds 2560 pixels in height or width, WordPress will scale it down proportionally while preserving the original aspect ratio.
Many WordPress hosting providers impose limits on the file sizes you can upload to the media library, which can be a challenge if you have numerous large images to showcase.
To learn how to increase the maximum file upload size in WordPress, check out our comprehensive guide.
Let’s explore four effective methods to display full-size images on your WordPress site. Some methods are ideal for single images, while others work better for multiple images. Use the links below to navigate directly to your preferred method:
- Method 1: Utilize the Full Size Image URL (Ideal for Single Images)
- Method 2: Disable Image Scaling in WordPress (Best for Multiple Images)
- Method 3: Disable Image Scaling Using a Plugin (Perfect for Beginners)
- Method 4: Display Full-Width WordPress Images in a Lightbox (Great for Galleries)
- Common Questions About Full-Size Images
- Bonus: Enhance Your Images for Improved Speed and Search Engine Optimization
Method 1: Utilize the Full-Size Image URL (Ideal for Individual Images)
If you want to showcase one or two large images on your website, you can easily do so by using the original image URLs.
When you upload an image that is larger than the maximum dimensions, WordPress automatically creates a smaller version while keeping the original, high-resolution image intact.
First, navigate to Media » Library in the WordPress dashboard. Ensure you switch to the ‘List’ view.
Next, hover over your large image and look for the one with ‘-scaled’ at the end of the file name.
Once the ‘Copy URL’ button appears, click on it.
After copying, paste the image URL into your browser’s address bar and remove ‘-scaled….’ from the end of the URL. Be careful to keep the image format (.png, .jpg, .gif, etc.) intact.
For example, if the scaled image URL is http://example-website.local/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/example-image-scaled.jpg, the original image URL will be http://example-website.local/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/example-image.jpg.
When you access that URL, you will see the image displayed in its original size.
You can now place the image anywhere on your website. Since the original high-quality file is not visible in the standard Media Library, you will need to insert it manually using its URL.
To do this, open the Gutenberg block editor for the post or page where you want to display the image. Then, click on the ‘+ Add Block’ icon to create a new block, and select the Image block.
Once you have done that, click on ‘Insert from URL.’
You can then paste the URL of the full-size or large image into the designated field and press the ‘Enter’ key on your keyboard.
Important:Since you inserted the image via URL, be sure to manually enter your Alt Text in the block settings on the right-hand side, as WordPress will not automatically retrieve it from the Media Library.
When you are ready to publish, click ‘Publish’ or ‘Update.’ You can then view this page or post to see the full-size image displayed.
To add additional full-size images, simply repeat the process outlined above.
Method 2: Turn Off Image Scaling in WordPress (Recommended for Multiple Files)
To effectively display multiple large images, it’s advisable to turn off the automatic scaling feature. Although you can do this by modifying the functions.php file of your theme, this approach can be risky and may cause your site to malfunction if errors occur.
For this reason, we suggest utilizing the free WPCode plugin instead. As detailed in our comprehensive WPCode review, it provides a secure way to add code snippets, ensuring they remain intact even after you update your theme.
Our Usage:At CanadaCreate, we rely on WPCode to handle all our custom snippets across various websites. It enables us to implement new features swiftly and securely, eliminating the risk of site errors due to typos in theme files. This is the exact tool we use for such tasks.
First, install and activate the plugin. For this method, the free version of WPCode is sufficient.
After activation, navigate toCode Snippets » Add Snippet. Here, choose ‘Add Your Custom Code (New Snippet)’ and click ‘Use snippet.’
Next, enter a title for your custom code snippet. This title is for your reference only. Then, open the ‘Code Type’ dropdown menu and select ‘PHP Snippet.’
In the code editor, insert the following code snippet:
add_filter( 'big_image_size_threshold', '__return_false' );
Next, navigate to the ‘Insertion’ section and ensure the location is set to ‘Run Everywhere’ to enable the code site-wide.
When you’re ready, scroll to the top of the page and switch the ‘Inactive’ toggle to ‘Active.’ Finally, click ‘Save Snippet’ to activate the code.
From this point forward, WordPress will utilize the original dimensions for any large images you upload, allowing you to access the full-size versions.
Please be aware that this modification only affects images uploaded after the snippet is activated. Existing images in your media library will not be automatically updated; you will need to re-upload them to access the full-size versions.
Method 3: Disable Image Scaling Using a Plugin (Ideal for Beginners)
If the code method feels overwhelming, you can easily disable image scaling with the Perfect Images plugin. This free tool enables you to create additional image sizes in WordPress, update your media metadata, and more.
First, install and activate the Perfect Images plugin. For detailed instructions on how to install a plugin, refer to our comprehensive guide on installing WordPress plugins.
After activation, go toMeow Apps »Perfect Imagesand select the checkbox next to ‘Disable Image Threshold.’
WordPress will no longer append the ‘-scaled’ suffix to any images. From now on, you can upload large media files, and WordPress will save them in their original size by default.
Method 4: Display Full-Width WordPress Images in a Lightbox (Ideal for Galleries)
The last option is to implement a full-size image lightbox on your website. This feature is especially beneficial for creating an image gallery, slider, or photo portfolio.
This method enables you to display smaller thumbnail images when the page initially loads. Visitors can then click on any thumbnail to view the full-size image in a popup.
The last option is to implement a full-size image lightbox on your website. This feature is especially beneficial for creating an image gallery, slider, or photo portfolio.
This method enables you to display smaller thumbnail images when the page initially loads. Visitors can then click on any thumbnail to view the full-size image in a popup.
After disabling image scaling, it’s time to set up a gallery. We recommend using Envira Gallery. As detailed in our comprehensive Envira Gallery review, it is the top image gallery plugin for WordPress due to its powerful features and user-friendly interface.
Once you have installed and activated the Envira plugin, you can follow our detailed guide on how to create a gallery with a lightbox effect in WordPress.
NextGEN Gallery is another excellent choice. This plugin is particularly beneficial for professional photographers and artists who require advanced features to showcase and sell their work effectively.
Common Questions About Full-Size Images
At CanadaCreate, we often receive inquiries regarding image management in WordPress. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about displaying images in full size.
Does displaying full-size images slow down my website?
Yes, using large image files can lead to slower page load times, negatively impacting user experience and SEO. Therefore, it is crucial to optimize your images for the web before uploading them, even when you intend to display them at full size.
What is the easiest way to display a single full-size image?
The easiest approach is to use the direct URL of the original image. When WordPress generates a scaled version, it retains the original file, which you can embed using the Image block.
Is it better to disable image scaling using a plugin or custom code?
For most users, especially beginners, using a plugin like WPCode is the safest approach. Directly adding code to your theme files can risk breaking your site if not executed properly, while a plugin manages it securely.
Is it possible to display a thumbnail that opens the full-size image when clicked?
Yes, it is. Utilizing a lightbox gallery plugin such as Envira Gallery is an excellent way to achieve this. Visitors will see smaller, quick-loading thumbnails and can click to view the high-resolution version in a pop-up.
Bonus: Enhance Your Images for Improved Speed and SEO
While showcasing full-size images is fantastic for highlighting your work, large graphics can slow down your website’s loading times and adversely affect your SEO.
For this reason, we highly recommend optimizing your images for better performance. A plugin like EWWW Image Optimizer can assist by compressing your files, making them smaller and quicker to load.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to display full-size images in WordPress. For additional tips on managing your media files and enhancing your site, feel free to explore our other guides:
- How to Optimize Image Files for the Web Without Sacrificing Quality
- Beginner’s Guide to Image SEO – Optimize Your Images for Search Engines
- How to Implement Lazy Loading for Images in WordPress
- Effective Strategies to Protect Your Images from Theft in WordPress
- Step-by-Step Guide to Overlay Text on Images in WordPress
- Top WordPress Plugins for Image Management (Latest Update)
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