How to add images to posts on WordPress

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Adding images to WordPress posts involves using the block editor to insert image blocks, then uploading files from your computer or selecting from the media library. You can customize image settings like alignment, alt text, and captions before publishing.

Try WordPress Full WordPress Review

Prerequisites

WordPress admin access
Images saved on your computer or device
Basic familiarity with WordPress dashboard
Understanding of image file formats (JPG, PNG, GIF)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access the WordPress editor

Log into your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Posts > Add New to create a new post, or select Posts > All Posts and click Edit on an existing post. The block editor (Gutenberg) will open.

You can also press Ctrl+Alt+N (Windows) or Cmd+Option+N (Mac) to quickly create a new post from the dashboard.

Position your cursor and add an image block

Click where you want to insert the image in your post content. Click the + (Add Block) button in the toolbar or press / and type "image". Select the Image block from the block menu.

You can also drag and drop image files directly into the editor to automatically create an image block.

Upload or select your image

In the image block, you'll see three options:

Click Upload to select a file from your computer
Click Media Library to choose from previously uploaded images
Click Insert from URL to add an image from a web address

Select your preferred method and choose your image file.

For best performance, optimize images before uploading - keep file sizes under 1MB when possible.

Configure image settings

Once uploaded, use the block toolbar to set image alignment (left, center, right, wide, or full width). In the right sidebar under Block settings, you can adjust:

Alt text - Important for accessibility and SEO
Caption - Optional text displayed below the image
Link settings - Make the image clickable

Always add descriptive alt text for better accessibility and SEO rankings.

Resize and crop if needed

Click on the image to select it, then drag the corner handles to resize proportionally. Use the Crop tool in the block toolbar to trim the image. You can also set specific dimensions in the Image dimensions section of the block settings panel.

Hold Shift while dragging corners to maintain the original aspect ratio.

Set featured image (optional)

To set a featured image for your post, scroll to the Post settings panel on the right sidebar. Click Set featured image and upload or select an image from the media library. This image will represent your post in archives and social media shares.

Featured images typically work best with a 16:9 aspect ratio (like 1200x675 pixels).

Preview and publish

Click Preview in the top toolbar to see how your post will look with the images. Make any final adjustments to image placement, sizing, or settings. When satisfied, click Publish or Update to save your changes.

Check your post on mobile devices using the preview options to ensure images display properly on all screen sizes.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Image won't upload or shows error message

Check that your image file is under your hosting provider's upload limit (usually 2-8MB). Ensure the file format is supported (JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP). Try renaming the file to remove special characters or spaces.

Images appear blurry or pixelated

Upload higher resolution images - WordPress automatically creates multiple sizes. Avoid uploading images smaller than 1200px wide for best quality. Check your theme's recommended image dimensions.

Images not displaying on the front-end

Clear your website cache if using a caching plugin. Check file permissions on your /wp-content/uploads/ folder (should be 755). Verify the image URLs are correct in the media library.

Image block shows broken or missing

The original image file may have been deleted. Go to Media > Library to check if the image exists. Re-upload the image or select a different one from the media library.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official WordPress website before purchasing.

Visit WordPress View WordPress Pricing