Kadence - Featured images & image sizes
Let's take a deep dive into featured images in Kadence! In this article, we'll explore image ratios, dimensions, and optimal image sizes, as well as how to customize your featured images.
What is a featured image?
A featured image is the main image that represents a post (and sometimes a page) in WordPress. It appears on blog, category, and search pages to give readers a visual preview of your content.
The featured image of a post isn’t specific to Kadence. If you switch themes, your featured images will stay in place since they are a part of your posts.
How do I set a featured image?
Click here for instructions.
Featured Image Sizing in Kadence: Ratios
Instead of fixed sizes, Kadence uses image aspect ratios to control featured image sizes. This approach ensures images fit correctly in all areas and look consistent across your site!
An aspect ratio is the ratio between an image's width and height. Essentially, it defines the "shape" of an image. Aspect ratios are written in a width-to-height format, such as 3:4. Here are a few examples:
- 1:1 – Square image shape; equal width and height
- 2:3 – Portrait image shape; height is longer than width
- 4:3 – Landscape image shape; width is longer than height
If you used the Genesis Framework in the past, Genesis used fixed image sizes. The Kadence ratio method is a different (but much better) way to approach images. You don't need to regenerate your thumbnails to create the fixed sizes – instead, your images are automatically cropped using ratios.
What image size should I upload?
Technically, any size/dimension! Because Kadence uses ratios, it doesn't matter what sized image you upload. Your images will always display at whatever ratio you've set.
That being said, uploading gigantic images will slow down your site, and uploading small images will make for blurry featured images. So let's talk about optimal image sizes!
Maximum Size: WordPress has an upper limit on image sizes – 2400px. Your images should never exceed this size in width or height. If you try uploading an image larger than this, you might receive an error message, or the image may upload but then not display on the front end of your site.
Minimum Size: Our recommendation is that your images should be at least the width of the post column in your theme. For example, in our Savannah theme demo, the post column is 820px.
But there are always unique situations to consider – perhaps you're using the full-width post layout, which is 1000px. You would need larger images in that case.
Optimal Size: Optimal width is somewhere in the middle of min and max. There is not one universal size that we can recommend for every site. It's important to consider site speed, image clarity, and site layout when choosing how to size your images. Smaller images will load faster, but won't be quite as clear. Larger images will load a little slower, but will be crisp and clear.
You should also consider the location where you're adding the image. For example, images within your posts could be fine at 1000px wide. But maybe on your homepage where there is a large full-width image, you might want that image to be closer to max (2400px).
Our theme demo images are typically sized at 1200x1800px. This provides a nice balance of image clarity and speed. You're welcome to follow our sizing, or go your own way!
Enable Featured Images on Single Posts
Most of our Kadence themes do not display the featured image on single posts, but it's an available option!
To enable the featured image on single posts, go to Appearance > Customize > Posts/Pages Layout > Single Post Layout. Scroll down about halfway and look for the "Show Featured Image?" toggle. Toggle that on to enable the featured image.
Additional settings will appear once enabled – you can choose where the image displays, the ratio, etc.
How to Change the Featured Image Ratio
There a few different areas where you can change the featured image ratio.
Changing Featured Image Ratio on Category Pages
Click here for a video tutorial.
Changing Featured Image Ratio on Single Posts
First, make sure that you've enabled the featured image on single posts (see previous section).
Go to Appearance > Customize > Posts/Pages Layout > Single Post Layout > Featured Image Ratio to change the single post featured image ratio.
Changing Featured Image Ratio in Posts Blocks
In the Block Editor, click on a Posts block. In the block settings on the right, you'll see settings for the Posts block. Click on the Style tab, then open the Image Settings tab under Style. Click on the Image Ratio drop-down to select a different ratio.
Featured Image Cropping
Kadence will crop your images at true center, e.g. the horizontal and vertical center of your image.
If you'd like to control where a featured image is cropped, Kadence recommends the WP SmartCrop plugin. This plugin allows you to set a focal point for each image you upload.