> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL. > For a complete documentation index, see https://uploadcare.com/docs/llms.txt. > For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://uploadcare.com/docs/_mcp/server. # WordPress File Uploader and Adaptive Delivery Plugin > Boost your WordPress site by uploading large files from various sources and serving responsive, lazy-loaded images via Uploadcare CDN. [WordPress platform](https://wordpress.org/download/) is open-source and free to use, yet it's just a CMS part of your blog or a website. It doesn't come with a free hosting plan. For example, [wordpress.com](https://wordpress.com/) offers [paid](https://wordpress.com/plans/) hosting. Uploadcare, all-round media upload, storage, management, and delivery solution, breaks many WordPress Media Library limitations. Upload large files from many sources including social media and cloud services. Insert them to WordPress posts and serve responsive lazy loaded images with Uploadcare CDN to improve your WordPress site performance. This plugin allows WordPress authors to upload images and other files with Uploadcare uploading widget while creating posts and pages. You can migrate your current Media Library to your Uploadcare storage, use Adaptive Delivery and other Uploadcare features. ## Features * Upload files of any type (image, video, document, archive) and size (up to 5 TB). * Upload from your device, URL, social network (Facebook) and cloud (Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Photos, OneDrive, Box). * Insert images into your posts, and place other files and archives for download. * Uploadcare CDN serves images faster in all parts of the world. Adaptive Delivery analyzes users’ context and serves images in a suitable format, resolution, compression, which closes all image-related frontend tasks. * Transfer your existing Media Library to your Uploadcare storage with no risk of data loss. * Specify your custom CDN domain, and use a Signed uploads to control who and when can upload files. * Compatible with a standard WordPress image editor. ## Prerequisites An installed [WordPress instance](https://wordpress.org/download/) or a paid plan at [WordPress.com](https://wordpress.com/) that supports plugins. The current version of the Uploadcare plugin 3.x works with the latest WordPress versions 5.x and supports the new visual [Gutenberg](https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/) post editor. Also, it brings Uploadcare features, such as [Adaptive Delivery](https://uploadcare.com/products/adaptive-delivery/) into your WordPress. [An account at Uploadcare](https://app.uploadcare.com/accounts/signup/). For testing purposes, you can use a [Free plan](https://uploadcare.com/pricing/). ## Installation Log in to your WordPress admin panel `https://yoursite.com/wp-admin`. There is an official [Uploadcare plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/uploadcare/) for WordPress that you can find in the plugin list. To install the plugin, go to **Plugins**, **Add New**, and search for "Uploadcare". **Install** and **Activate** it. ## Settings Now, you need to link your WordPress plugin with your Uploadcare account. There are [API keys](https://app.uploadcare.com/projects/-/api-keys/) for that (public and secret Keys). Insert them into the respective fields in the Plugin settings. Go to **Settings** > **Uploadcare**. Open your project's **Dashboard** in a new tab. Copy your **Public Key** from the upper-right corner and paste it in the respective field of your WordPress settings tab. Next, go back to [API keys](https://app.uploadcare.com/projects/-/api-keys/) for **a Secret Key**. Generate a new Secret Key. Copy it (or download it as a text file) and use it with your WordPress. Tip: The rule of thumb is that one **Secret Key** works for one integration with a service (e.g., WordPress). Generate more keys or delete them as you need. This is how you manage integrations. ## Use Uploadcare Image While editing a post, you can add a new block, select **Uploadcare image**. Use the desired upload source: local files, social networks, etc. This image upload will go to your project storage at Uploadcare that you've integrated with WordPress. Also, it'll be listed in your WordPress Media Library as well. Edit images after uploading or anytime later. You can customize the [jQuery File Uploader](/docs/uploads/file-uploader/) in the plugin settings. For example, select only upload sources you're going to use. Also, you can customize the [Editing features](/docs/uploads/image-editor/). ### Preview Uploaded images will be delivered via Uploadcare CDN on preview and when you publish the post. The [Adaptive Delivery](https://uploadcare.com/products/adaptive-delivery/) feature kicks in here and optimizes images on the fly depending on the client's device and browser. It includes `srcset` auto-creation for responsive images, lazy loading, etc. Check out the stats for this page. All WordPress text and script content is loaded from the original domain, and the image is loaded from ucarecdn.com. Its size is 105.70 KB while the original file was 9.9 MB. ![Safari stats on WordPress page with CDN image](https://ucarecdn.com/7730ad5c-ec61-4273-8344-c511f141ec32/-/preview/ "File and image upload WordPress plugin in action") ## Managing Media Library It's also possible to do file and image uploading via Uploadcare right from your Media Library. Either way, Uploadcare images will be stored in your project's storage and listed in Media Library as external images. ## Summary With the Uploadcare plugin, you can upload large files, insert images and edit them right in your WordPress posts. It powers up your WordPress content creation experience and backs up with a secure cloud storage and CDN delivery. Learn more about Uploadcare concepts in our [Uploadcare docs](/docs/) and check the [WordPress Codex](https://codex.wordpress.org/) for any topics related to WordPress. You can also check out the [WPArena article](https://wparena.com/3-must-have-wordpress-plugins-to-start-a-photoblog/) on accelerating WordPress media with Uploadcare when building a photoblog.