Setting featured images
Learn how to set, change, and remove featured images on WordPress posts and pages, and why they matter.
A featured image is the main representative image for a post or page. It's the photo that appears in blog post lists, search results, social media shares, and anywhere else WordPress displays a preview of that piece of content. Setting a good featured image is a quick but important finishing touch.
Quick summary
Open the post or page you're editing. In the right sidebar, click Featured image → Set featured image. Select an existing image from your media library or upload a new one. Click Set featured image to confirm, then save the page.
What you'll need
Beginner 3 minutes- Editor or Administrator access to WordPress
- An image ready to use (JPG or PNG, typically at least 1200 × 630 pixels for good results)
How to set a featured image
Open the post or page you want to edit in the WordPress editor.
Look for the "Featured image" panel in the right sidebar. You may need to scroll down to find it. If you don't see the sidebar at all, click the Settings icon (looks like a panel layout) in the top-right toolbar.
Click "Set featured image." The media library opens.
Choose your image. Click an existing image from your media library, or click Upload files to add a new one from your computer.
Add alt text if you're uploading a new image. The alt text field appears in the right panel of the media library. Write a short description of what the image shows — this is important for accessibility. See Alt text explained.
Click "Set featured image" in the bottom-right corner of the media library. The library closes and you'll see a thumbnail of your image in the Featured image panel.
Click Update (or Publish) to save the post.
You're done
The featured image is set. You can preview the post to see how it looks.
How to change or remove a featured image
To change a featured image:
- Click the existing thumbnail in the Featured image panel.
- Select a different image in the media library.
- Click Set featured image to confirm.
To remove a featured image:
- Look for a Remove featured image link below the thumbnail in the Featured image panel.
- Click it. The image is removed from this post but not deleted from your media library.
Where featured images appear
Featured images show up in different places depending on your theme and configuration:
- Blog post listings — The image next to each post title in a blog feed
- Single post header — At the top of the post itself (some themes display it; others don't)
- Social media — When someone shares your post on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter/X, the featured image is what appears in the link preview
- Google search results — Sometimes shown next to your page in results
What if no featured image is set?
If a post has no featured image, social media shares may show a random image from the post, your site logo, or nothing at all. This looks unprofessional. Make a habit of setting featured images on all published posts.
Choosing a good featured image
Size: Aim for at least 1200 × 630 pixels. This is the size Facebook uses for link previews and a good general standard. Larger is fine; smaller may look blurry.
Format: JPG works best for photographs. PNG is better for graphics with text or transparent areas. For tips on image formats, see Image formats explained.
Subject: The image should be relevant to the post. Generic stock photos work in a pinch, but original photos or custom graphics are more engaging.
Compression: Large uncompressed images slow your site down. If your site has a compression plugin (like ShortPixel), it will handle this automatically. Otherwise, compress the image before uploading. See How to compress images.
Common questions
Related guides
- How to add images to a page or post
- Post excerpts explained
- Using categories & tags
- Alt text explained
- How to compress images
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