Want to make your WordPress images look just right? Maybe you need to crop out some blank space, rotate a sideways photo, resize it to fit your site, or flip it for a better view. Good news — WordPress makes it easy!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to crop, rotate, scale, and flip images right inside WordPress. No fancy software needed. Grab your cup of coffee and let’s get creative!
Where Do You Start?
All these editing tools live inside the Media Library.
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on Media in the left menu.
- Select Library.
- Click an image you want to edit.
- Tap the Edit Image button right below the thumbnail.
Now you’re in the image editor! It may not look like Photoshop, but it can do a lot for quick fixes.
How to Crop an Image
Got extra space you want to get rid of? Cropping helps focus on what matters.
- In the image editor, click and drag on the image. A box will appear — that’s your crop area.
- Drag the box’s corners to adjust it.
- To crop to a specific ratio like 4:3 or 1:1, enter those numbers in the Aspect Ratio fields.
- Once happy, click the Crop icon at the top left (it looks like a little square with angles).
- Click Save to apply.
Easy, right?
How to Rotate an Image
Sometimes images upload sideways. Other times, a little spin adds creative flair.
WordPress gives you two easy rotation buttons:
- Rotate Left – Turns your image 90 degrees counter-clockwise.
- Rotate Right – Turns it 90 degrees clockwise.
Click the one you need. Each click spins the image another 90 degrees. Keep going until it looks just right. Don’t forget to hit Save afterward!
How to Scale an Image
Resizing isn’t just about making things smaller. It’s about keeping your site fast and sharp! Huge images can slow things down.
Here’s how you scale:
- Look just below the image and click Scale Image.
- You’ll see fields for Width and Height. Enter a new width, and the height will adjust automatically to keep the same proportions.
- Click Scale.
That’s it! Your image is now resized and optimized!
Tip: You can’t scale up an image — only down. If you want a bigger version, you’ll need to upload a larger file.
How to Flip an Image
Flipping is fun! It lets you reverse images, like creating mirror effects.
In the toolbar, you’ll see two flip options:
- Flip Vertically – Turns the image upside down.
- Flip Horizontally – Creates a mirror image from left to right.
Click the flipping option that suits your vision. Then, you guessed it — click Save!
Undo, Redo, or Start Over
Made a mistake? No problem!
- Click the Undo arrow to step back.
- Click Redo to go forward.
- Want a fresh start? Hit Restore Original Image.
This safety net means you can experiment without worry.
Apply Changes to Which Sizes?
One image in WordPress usually gets saved in several sizes — thumbnail, medium, and large. You get a choice where your edits apply.
Below your image, you’ll see Apply Changes To:
- All Image Sizes – Good if you want the crop to apply everywhere.
- Thumbnail Only – Great if your thumbnail needs cropping, but your full image is fine.
Pick the one that fits your need best before saving.
Bonus: Faster Editing with Plugins
Love editing but want more power? Try an image editor plugin!
Here are a few fun and simple ones:
- Enable Media Replace – Replace images without deleting and re-uploading.
- Imsanity – Automatically resizes large images on upload.
- WP Paint – A full-on image editor inside WordPress — way more features!
Plugins can give you extra editing options and save you time.
Pro Tips for Picture-Perfect Posts
- Always back up your original images. Just in case!
- Stick to consistent image sizes to keep your site clean and balanced.
- Optimize with tools like TinyPNG before uploading for super speed.
- Test your changes on both desktop and mobile to make sure they look great everywhere.
The Final Snap
Editing images in WordPress doesn’t have to be scary or boring. With just a few clicks you can reshape, tweak, and flip your way to a beautiful website.
Crop out clutter. Rotate to correct angles. Scale for perfection. And flip for creativity!
Now go ahead — open your Media Library, pick an image, and have some fun. Your site deserves to shine!