Why are the photos appearing small and distorted when previewing or publishing my site on Webflow?

Published on
September 22, 2023

If you are experiencing issues with photos appearing small and distorted when previewing or publishing your site on Webflow, there are a few potential causes for this problem. Here are some possible reasons and solutions to help you rectify the issue:

  1. Image Dimensions: Ensure that the actual dimensions of the images you are using in your design match the dimensions specified in the design tool. If the images are smaller than the intended dimensions, they may appear small and pixelated when scaled up. Resize or replace the images with higher resolution versions to resolve this issue.

  2. Image Compression: Webflow automatically compresses and optimizes images to improve site performance. However, if the compression settings are too high, it can result in the images appearing pixelated. You can adjust the compression settings by going to the Project Settings, selecting the Assets tab, and adjusting the Upload Quality slider. Try reducing the compression to a lower level to improve the image quality.

  3. File Format: It's essential to choose the appropriate file format for your images. If you are using images with transparency or require high-quality visuals, consider using PNG or SVG formats. For regular images, JPEG is often the best choice as it provides a good balance between quality and file size. Experiment with different file formats to find the one that works best for your specific images.

  4. Retina Displays: If you are viewing your website on a high-resolution device such as a Retina display, the images may appear small and pixelated. To address this, make sure you are using high-resolution images (at least double the intended display size) and add the img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } CSS style to allow the images to scale properly on different devices.

  5. Cache Issues: Sometimes, the issue can be related to the cache. Clear your browser's cache and try viewing the site again. Additionally, you can try using incognito mode or a different browser to see if the issue persists.

By addressing these potential causes, you should be able to resolve the issue of photos appearing small and distorted when previewing or publishing your site on Webflow. Remember to preview your site and test it on different devices to ensure that the images display correctly across various screen sizes.

Additional questions:

  1. How can I optimize images for Webflow to ensure they load quickly?
  2. Why do my images take a long time to load on my Webflow site?
  3. Is there a recommended image size or resolution for Webflow websites?