Optimizing Image Dimensions and Ratios in Webflow CMS Collection Lists

As a Webflow user, you might have found yourself in a position where you're trying to optimize the dimensions and ratios of images in your CMS collection list. This can be a bit tricky, especially when you want images to resize but keep their aspect ratios, and not stretch. But don't worry, we've got you covered! This blog post will guide you on how to control the dimensions and the ratio of CMS images inside of a Collection List.

The Problem

The issue arises when you're using a collection list to make a client section of a site and you want your images to resize but maintain their ratio. This is because in a collection list, changing one image affects all others. If you've attempted to adjust the dimensions of your images manually via the settings panel to no avail, then it's time to take a different approach.

The Solution

The first thing you need to do is refrain from adjusting the dimensions of your images manually via the settings panel. Once you’ve started giving them a value, it will stick even if you try to reset the source of the content of the image. This could be the reason why your images are not responding as you'd like. To fix this, delete the image and put a brand new image element inside of it, leaving the fields blank.

Once you've inserted a new image element, you can now relink it to your CMS image. At this point, your images should have their proper ratio. Now it's time to switch to styles. Assign a class to the image and use style to define rules that don’t touch the pixel value of the images dimensions. A simple rule would be to define a max-width for all images, allowing them to resize as you’d expect them to.

Finally, consider giving some properties to the collection item element to have a nice grid. This way, you can ensure that any changes made to one image in a collection don't affect all others.

For more details, you can check out the full discussion about controlling the dimensions and the ratio of CMS images inside of a Collection List on the Webflow forum.

Additional Tips

• Webflow allows you to upload any image size you'd like, provided it is smaller than the 4MB limit. Your browser will serve whichever variant is best, based on device size and resolution.
• If you're looking to improve image quality in Webflow, you can fix blurry or lower-than-anticipated quality images by tweaking the hidden responsive image settings.
• When styling a collection item in Webflow, you can give a class to the image and use style to define rules that aren't touching the pixel value of the images dimensions.

Optimizing your images in Webflow doesn't have to be a daunting task. With these helpful tips, you can ensure your images are always displayed in their best light, keeping your website looking professional and visually appealing.

Supercharge Your Workflow with Webflow’s “Image” and “Div Block” Combo

Here's a top tip that might surprise you. Instead of using the image element, consider using the div block with a background image set to cover. This will allow you to maintain the aspect ratio of your images on different screen sizes, while ensuring they always fill the container. This method gives you greater control over your images, and helps to create a more responsive and visually appealing website.

To do this, follow these simple steps:

• Create a div block and give it a class.
• Set the background image of the div block to your CMS image.
• Set the background size to "cover" and the position to "center". This ensures that the image will always fill the div block, regardless of its size.
• Define the width and height of the div block as needed. The image will resize to fill the div block while maintaining its aspect ratio.

This method can be particularly useful when you're working with images of different dimensions and ratios in your CMS collection list. It ensures that all images appear uniform and visually appealing on your site, irrespective of their original sizes or aspect ratios.