# Limit Image Upload Size and Dimensions > Set a maximum file size and dimensions for image uploads in WordPress. Block oversized images before they bloat your media library and slow your site. - Canonical URL: - Markdown URL: Category: Control feature Set a maximum file size and pixel dimensions for uploads - oversized images are rejected before they ever bloat your media library or slow your pages. ## One Giant Upload Can Undo Your Optimization Without limits, anyone can drop a huge file into your library. ### Giant Uploads A single phone photo can top 10 MB and run 6000 pixels wide. Multiply that across every author and every upload. Impact: A single photo can top 10 MB ### Multi-Author Chaos On a shared or client library you can't hand-check every file that comes in, and the oversized ones slip through. Impact: No control over what others upload ### Storage & Speed Drain Oversized originals bloat your disk, double your backups, and drag down the pages that display them. Impact: Bigger files, bigger backups, slower site ## How Upload Limits Work Limits are checked the moment a file is uploaded. ### Steps 1. **Set** — Choose a maximum file size in KB or MB, plus a maximum width and height in pixels. 2. **Check** — Every upload is measured against your limits at upload time, before it's saved. 3. **Reject** — Anything over the limit is bounced with a clear message, so nothing oversized lands. ### Control Oversized Image Uploads Set file-size and dimension limits to prevent heavy images from entering your media library. #### Set Image Upload Limits Set maximum file size and image dimensions for uploads. Oversized images are blocked before entering your media library, helping reduce storage use and maintain consistent website performance. ## Guardrails on Every Upload Set the limits once and they apply to everyone. - Limit by file size in KB or MB - Cap maximum width and height in pixels - Oversized uploads rejected with a clear message - Enforced at upload, before files land - Keeps multi-author libraries under control - Free, self-hosted, works with any theme ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How do I limit the maximum image upload size? Set a maximum file size in KB or MB in ThumbPress. Uploads above the limit are rejected at upload time with a clear message. ### Can I restrict image dimensions too? Yes. Set a maximum width and height in pixels, and images larger than that are blocked before they're added to your media library. ### How do I stop clients or authors uploading huge files? The limits apply to everyone who uploads, so a shared or multi-author library stays under control without you policing files by hand. ### What's a good maximum image size for WordPress? It depends on your layout, but most sites rarely need images over a couple of MB or wider than about 2500 pixels. Set limits that match how large your images actually display. ### Is this the same as PHP's upload_max_filesize? No. That is a server ceiling that produces a confusing failure when it is hit. This is a WordPress-level rule you control from the dashboard, with a clear message explaining why the file was refused. Your server limit still applies on top. ### What does the person uploading actually see? The upload is rejected at the point of upload with a message stating the limit, so they know immediately to resize or re-export rather than wondering why the image never appeared. ### Can I set different limits for different user roles? No. The limits are site-wide, which is usually what you want on a shared or multi-author library - one rule everybody follows, including you. ### What if I need to upload one oversized image? Raise the limit, upload the file, and set it back. The setting is a single field, so making a deliberate exception takes a few seconds. ## Ready to Take Back Control? Install ThumbPress free and set your upload limits in under a minute. ## About ThumbPress ThumbPress is a WordPress plugin for image optimization and thumbnail management, built by Codexpert. It runs on your own server: compression, WebP/AVIF conversion and cleanup all happen locally, with no third-party image API and no per-image credits. - All features: - Pricing: - Documentation: - Blog: - Support: - WordPress.org listing: