WiscWeb - Auto Scaling of Images with "-scaled" File Name

This KB document will discuss WordPress behavior involving the auto-scaling of images in the Media Library.

WordPress 5.3 update

In version 5.3, WordPress rolled out a change to the behavior of the Media Library such that images larger than a certain size will be automatically scaled upon upload. WordPress can now detect when an image exceeds the maximum recommended web-optimized size and will scale the file down and append "-scaled" to the file name.  

More information on this change can be found on the WordPress.org website.

 Issues with auto-scaling

Auto-scaling of images can result in lower image resolutions. 

It will also rename your file name by appending "-scaled" before the file extension. (Example: filename-scaled.jpg)

File information for scaled image

 How to avoid auto-scaling

The best way to avoid auto-scaling is to resize your image outside of WordPress, prior to uploading it to the Media Library. It is recommended that a user use a program like Photoshop to accomplish this. This can also help with appropriately sizing images to the page elements you're planning to use them in.

  Additional Resources

See Also:




Keywords:scale, scaling, scaled, images, wordpress, resize, media library, -scaled   Doc ID:97256
Owner:Jenna K.Group:WiscWeb CMS
Created:2020-01-22 15:20 CDTUpdated:2023-05-12 15:51 CDT
Sites:DoIT Help Desk, WiscWeb CMS
Feedback:  1   1