How can I fix the issue of blurry images on my Webflow website that are fine in the designer but blurry when published?
TL;DR
- Upload images at 2x their display size, pre-optimize them to control compression, and use SVGs for sharp logos and icons.
- Ensure images don’t scale beyond their native resolution, use background images when appropriate, and review CSS settings to maintain clarity.
Blurry images on your Webflow site often result from incorrect image sizing, format compression, or display scaling differences between the Designer and the live site.
1. Check Image Dimensions and Display Size
- Use images at 2x resolution (double the display size) especially for HiDPI or Retina screens.
- Example: If an image displays at 400×300 pixels, upload it at 800×600.
- In Webflow Designer, right-click the image > Inspect or check its size in the style panel to determine how large it appears on screen.
2. Avoid Excessive Image Compression
- Webflow uses a default level of compression for image assets, but over-compressed images can appear blurry.
- Use a tool like TinyPNG or Squoosh to optimize your images manually before uploading, maintaining better control over compression quality.
3. Set Images as Backgrounds if Needed
- Background images are not automatically resized or compressed.
- If the image doesn’t need to be a content element (e.g., it’s decorative), use Background style settings instead of Image elements.
- Set them to use Cover and Position: Center for best quality on various screen sizes.
4. Use SVGs for Logos or Simple Graphics
- For icons, logos, and flat graphics, SVG files retain complete sharpness at any resolution.
- Replace PNGs or JPEGs with SVGs when graphic detail is essential.
5. Check Webflow’s Asset Manager Upload
- When uploading via the Asset Manager, Webflow may compress large images.
- Try replacing an image with a manually optimized version saved at required dimensions to minimize Webflow’s own compression workflow.
6. Review Responsive Scaling
- Images that scale beyond their native resolution will appear blurry.
- Make sure your image width in pixels is greater than or equal to the largest expected display width on desktop, tablet, or mobile.
7. Look at CSS Settings like Object-Fit or Width
- If using object-fit, make sure it's set appropriately for how the image should fill its container.
- Avoid setting widths in percentages for raster images unless you're ensuring they scale down only—not up.
Summary
To fix blurry images on Webflow’s published site, upload images at 2x resolution, avoid Webflow’s default compression by pre-optimizing files, and use SVGs for crisp graphics. Check sizing in the Designer vs the published site to ensure your assets aren’t scaling beyond their quality limits.