Gravatar is that tiny profile picture you often see next to blog comments, author bios, and user accounts on WordPress sites. It stands for “Globally Recognized Avatar.” If you’ve ever left a comment on a blog and wondered why your photo popped up – or didn’t – Gravatar is behind that.
By default, WordPress uses Gravatar to display user profile images across the web. This means that the same image follows you around the internet, provided you use the same email address associated with your Gravatar account. However, if you’re seeing a mystery man icon, a grey silhouette, or an outdated photo, it’s time to update it.
Changing your Gravatar image is not just about aesthetics – it builds trust, personal branding, and online identity. Whether you’re a blogger, site owner, or someone commenting on blogs, your profile picture often makes the first impression.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to change your Gravatar in WordPress, why it matters, and what to do when the new image doesn’t show up immediately.
Table Of Contents
What Is Gravatar and Why Does WordPress Use It?
The Role of Gravatar in WordPress
Gravatar is a service created by Automattic, the same company behind WordPress.com. WordPress themes and plugins use Gravatar to display profile pictures by pulling the image linked to a user’s email address.
Let’s say you leave a comment on a WordPress site. Instead of uploading a new image every time, WordPress checks Gravatar and shows the picture associated with your email.
Why It Matters
- Brand consistency: One image across all sites means stronger recognition.
- User engagement: A profile picture makes your comments or posts feel more personal.
- Trust factor: People are more likely to engage when they can “see” who they’re talking to.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Gravatar in WordPress
Step 1: Go to the Gravatar Website
Start by visiting https://en.gravatar.com. This is where you manage your Gravatar settings.
Tip: You must log in using the same email address used in your WordPress profile.
If you don’t have an account, you can sign up with your email on WordPress.com. Gravatar and WordPress.com accounts are linked.
Step 2: Add a New Profile Picture
Once logged in:
- Click on your avatar in the top right corner.
- Select “Add a new image”.
- You can upload a file from your computer, use a URL, or even pull an image from a previously used one.
Gravatar accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP formats.
Step 3: Assign the Image to Your Email
After uploading:
- Crop and preview your image.
- Choose a rating (G, PG, R, or X). Most websites only allow “G” rated images.
- Assign the image to your email address.
That’s it! Your Gravatar is now updated.
Step 4: Clear Cache if It Doesn’t Show Up
Gravatar changes don’t always appear instantly on WordPress. If your image hasn’t updated:
- Clear your browser cache.
- Clear your WordPress caching plugin (e.g., WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache).
- Wait for up to 24 hours – Gravatar updates can take some time.
How to Change Gravatar for a WordPress User (Admin Perspective)
If you’re the admin of a WordPress site and want to change a user’s Gravatar:
- Instruct them to update their Gravatar using the email tied to their WordPress account.
- If they don’t want to use Gravatar, install a plugin to manually set profile images.
Plugins That Help Override Gravatar:
- WP User Avatar: Lets users upload their own avatars directly through their profile.
- Simple Local Avatars: Adds an upload field to user profiles and doesn’t rely on Gravatar.
- Avatar Manager: Allows users to choose between using Gravatar or uploading a local image.
These plugins are helpful for membership sites or when users don’t have (or want) a Gravatar account.
Set a Default Gravatar Image in WordPress
If a user doesn’t have a Gravatar, WordPress shows a default image. You can customize this:
- Go to WordPress Dashboard → Settings → Discussion.
- Scroll to Avatars section.
- Under Default Avatar, select from options like:
- Mystery Person
- Blank
- Gravatar Logo
- Identicon
- Wavatar
- MonsterID
- Retro
- Save Changes.
Troubleshooting: Gravatar Still Not Updating?
Here’s what to check:
| Problem | Solution |
| New image not showing | Wait 24–48 hours, clear cache |
| Wrong email address | Confirm the email in your WordPress profile matches your Gravatar |
| Gravatar disabled | Check if the theme or plugin has turned off avatar display |
| Plugin conflict | Disable caching/security plugins temporarily and test |
Also, try checking from an incognito browser window or a different device.
Alternatives to Gravatar in WordPress
Not everyone likes using a third-party service. If you’d rather keep avatars stored locally:
- Use a plugin: Like “Simple Local Avatars” to allow direct uploads.
- Disable avatars altogether: From Settings → Discussion → Show Avatars (uncheck this box).
- Custom avatar fields: Advanced users can customize user profiles with ACF (Advanced Custom Fields) or code.
These options give you more control over user privacy and image storage.
Conclusion
Changing your Gravatar in WordPress is a simple but powerful way to manage your online identity. Whether you’re blogging, managing a team, or building a brand, that small image next to your name has big potential to build trust and recognition.
Remember: it’s all tied to your email. Keep your Gravatar updated and clear your cache if changes don’t reflect immediately. If Gravatar isn’t the right solution for your needs, WordPress offers flexible plugin options for local avatars.
A face adds personality. So take a few minutes, upload that picture, and make your online presence just a little more human.
FAQs About Changing Gravatar in WordPress
1. How do I change my Gravatar image?
Go to Gravatar.com, log in with your WordPress.com email, upload a new image, and assign it to your email.
2. Why isn’t my new Gravatar showing on my WordPress site?
It may take up to 24 hours to update. Try clearing your browser and WordPress cache.
3. Can I use a different image without using Gravatar?
Yes, plugins like WP User Avatar let you upload profile pictures directly in WordPress.
4. Where does WordPress get profile pictures from?
WordPress uses Gravatar to fetch profile images linked to a user’s email address.
5. What image types does Gravatar support?
Gravatar accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP image formats with a maximum size of 2048×2048 pixels.
6. Can I have different Gravatars for different sites?
Only if you use different email addresses. Gravatar assigns images based on email.
7. How do I set a default avatar in WordPress?
Go to Settings → Discussion and choose a default avatar under the “Avatars” section.
8. Is Gravatar free to use?
Yes, Gravatar is completely free. You only need a WordPress.com account to use it.
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