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Disable "BIG Image" Threshold

By Jonathan Desrosiers

Performance & Optimization / Image Optimization & Compression

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Disable "BIG Image" Threshold Review - In-Depth Analysis

This plugin disables the 'BIG image' threshold introduced in WordPress 5.3. It allows the original uploaded image to be displayed instead of a resized version.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.92/10

User Rating

4.2/5 (based on 35+ reviews)

Active Installations

10,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

In WordPress 5.3, several improvements were made to how images are processed. One of these improvements was the concept of 'BIG images'. When an image is uploaded that exceeds the 'BIG image' threshold (2560 by default), a new 'full' size image is generated. This new image is then used instead of the true original when generating image subsizes to reduce server load.

Prior to 5.3, it was possible for the originally uploaded image to be displayed on the front-end, even when they were not 'web ready'. Unnecessarily large images can be bad for performance and wastes bandwidth, which is unfortunate for those with slow Internet or bandwidth caps by their service plans. This new full size image will now be displayed instead.

There are some scenarios where disabling this threshold would be desired, though. Maybe you run a photography site that needs to display original images, or your theme has full screen backgrounds.

This plugin disables the 'BIG' image threshold and preserves the true originally uploaded image as the full size.

For more information on the improvements to image processing in WordPress 5.3, check out these developer notes on the Making WordPress Core blog.

Comparing to Alternatives

Disable "BIG Image" Threshold has a direct alternative that also focuses on image handling options within WordPress, providing users with choices to manage image scaling and thumbnails.

Top alternatives

Disable Thumbnails, Threshold and Image Options ( WPS: 6.86)

Strengths

Effectively disables WordPress's default big image scaling threshold.
Simple and lightweight plugin with minimal impact on site performance.
Highly rated for restoring original image quality and scale control.
Fixes specific WordPress errors related to large image uploads.
Well-received by photographers and users needing original image display.

Weaknesses

Limited to disabling the big image threshold without additional image optimization features.
No pro version or extended functionality available.
May not address other image-related issues beyond scaling threshold.

User Sentiment Analysis

With 80% of ratings at 5 stars and no negative reviews recorded, user feedback is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the plugin's effectiveness and reliability.

Positive highlights

"This plugin is a life-saver, and very necessary for my site where I want full control over image quality + scale." — mgwalpole
"Fixed error: 'Post-processing of the image failed...'" — luislema79
"Thanks Jonathan. This plugin is Awesome!" — iamdeveloper
"For those wishing to display photographs in their original form, the recent WordPress scaling 'enhancement' was very troubling." — carter39
"It is just what I needed for my WordPress photo galleries." — pointlineplane

Common complaints

Weaknesses

No advanced features beyond disabling the big image threshold.
Lacks ongoing updates or premium support options.
No additional image management tools included.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who want to disable WordPress's automatic big image scaling to maintain original image dimensions and quality, especially photographers and site owners displaying high-resolution images.

Not ideal for

Users seeking comprehensive image optimization, resizing, or management solutions beyond disabling the big image threshold, or those needing premium support and extended features.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version fully disables the WordPress big image threshold feature, allowing uploads of images wider than 2560 pixels without scaling.

Final Verdict

Disable "BIG Image" Threshold is a focused and effective plugin that addresses a specific WordPress behavior affecting large image uploads. Its simplicity and reliability have earned it high praise from users who need full control over image quality and scaling.

While it lacks advanced features and a pro version, its free offering is sufficient for users wanting to bypass WordPress's automatic image resizing. Alternatives exist for those needing broader image management capabilities, but this plugin stands out for its niche purpose and solid performance.