Responsive Images

Overview

Responsive images serve the right image size and format based on viewport, device pixel ratio, and browser capabilities. Proper implementation prevents layout shift (CLS), optimizes Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), and reduces bandwidth by 50-70% with modern formats.

When to use: Any page with images, especially content images, hero images, product photos, and gallery layouts.

When NOT to use: Inline SVG icons, CSS background patterns, or canvas-rendered graphics.

Quick Reference

Pattern	Approach	Key Points
Responsive sizing	`srcset` with width descriptors (w) + `sizes`	Browser selects optimal image for viewport and DPR
Modern formats	`<picture>` with AVIF, WebP, JPEG sources	AVIF saves 70%, WebP saves 50% vs JPEG
Art direction	`<picture>` with `media` queries	Different crops per viewport
LCP hero image	`loading="eager"` + `fetchpriority="high"`	Prioritize download for Core Web Vitals
Below-fold images	`loading="lazy"`	Defer until near viewport
Prevent CLS	`width` + `height` attributes	Browser reserves space before load
Fixed containers	`object-fit: cover` or `contain`	Maintain aspect ratio in constrained space
Format fallback	AVIF, WebP, JPEG source order	Best compression first, universal fallback last

Recommended Image Sizes

Use Case	Widths to Generate	Sizes Attribute
Full-width hero	800w, 1200w, 1600w, 2400w	`100vw`
Content width	400w, 800w, 1200w	`(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 800px`
Grid cards (3-col)	300w, 600w, 900w	`(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 33vw`
Sidebar thumbnail	150w, 300w	`150px`

Loading Strategy

Image Position	loading	fetchpriority	Why
Hero/LCP	`eager`	`high`	Optimize LCP, prioritize download
Above fold (not LCP)	`eager`	omit	Load normally
Below fold	`lazy`	omit	Defer until near viewport
Off-screen carousel	`lazy`	omit	Defer until interaction

Format Comparison

Format	Quality	File Size	Browser Support	Use Case
JPEG	Good	Medium	100%	Photos, complex images
PNG	Lossless	Large	100%	Logos, transparency
WebP	Excellent	Small	96%+	Modern browsers, photos
AVIF	Excellent	Smallest	93%+	Newest format, fallback required

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Correct Pattern
Omitting width and height attributes on img elements	Always include `width` and `height` to prevent CLS layout shift
Lazy loading the LCP hero image	Use `loading="eager"` and `fetchpriority="high"` for LCP images
Using density descriptors (1x, 2x) for variable-width images	Use width descriptors (400w, 800w) with a `sizes` attribute
Missing alt text on content images	Provide descriptive alt text; use `alt=""` only for decorative images
Serving only JPEG without modern format fallbacks	Use `<picture>` with AVIF and WebP sources falling back to JPEG

Delegation

Audit a page for responsive image issues and CLS problems: Use Explore agent to scan HTML for missing attributes, incorrect loading strategies, and format gaps
Convert all images on a page to use picture element with modern formats: Use Task agent to rewrite img tags with AVIF/WebP/JPEG fallback chain
Plan an image optimization pipeline for a multi-page site: Use Plan agent to design srcset breakpoints, format conversion workflow, and CDN integration

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