I'm having a tough time figuring out how to best crop, resize, and position background images on my website. Whenever I resize images, like to around 1920x1200, they end up looking blurry and are positioned incorrectly in my hero section. I've noticed that when I look at templates or other sites made by developers, they seem to have their images perfectly placed and clear. I'm using the `background-image: cover` property, but the images still appear oversized.
My main questions are: What's the optimal size for background images? Any tips for ensuring they look good across different devices? I'm feeling pretty discouraged about using them altogether but really want to get this right.
4 Answers
I suggest checking the MDN and Web.dev resources on responsive images. They offer great insights into how to manage background images effectively.
Starting with images around 1920x1080 is often a good idea for desktops. Just remember: `background-size: cover` will crop the image as needed. Choose images that are wide and simple, avoiding important details near the edges. Also, set a definite height for your hero section, like 100vh, to prevent disproportionate looks.
It's common to use multiple sizes for background images to cater to different screen sizes. You can swap them out with JavaScript or media queries. Check the `background-position` property too; it lets you set where the image sits in the container. If it’s too low, adjust that or give your div a specific aspect ratio to keep the right parts visible.
When I faced this, I ended up creating 15 versions of the same background image to optimize it for the majority of devices out there. For your question on the best size, there's no one-size-fits-all answer; instead, focus on loading images tailored to specific screen categories.
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