How to Optimise Images in WordPress

Images usually make up most of a page’s weight. Optimising them is the fastest way to a lighter, quicker WordPress site without sacrificing how it looks.

Right-size before upload

Don’t upload a 4000-pixel photo to display at 800 pixels. Resize images to roughly the size they’ll appear. This alone can cut file sizes by 80% or more with no visible quality loss.

Compress and use WebP

Use an image optimisation plugin to compress uploads automatically and serve modern WebP format, which is far smaller than JPEG or PNG at the same quality. Most plugins convert your existing library too.

Enable lazy loading

Lazy loading defers off-screen images until a visitor scrolls to them, so the top of the page appears instantly. WordPress includes lazy loading by default, and plugins can extend it to more elements.