---
title: Category Images, Placeholders and Image Size
description: Set the image size, placeholder image or no image for categories in the WooCommerce related categories section.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/related-categories-image-options/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: How to
---

# Category Images, Placeholders and Image Size

The image options control the thumbnails shown next to each related category in [Related Categories for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/related-categories-for-woocommerce/). You can pick the image size, set a fallback image for categories with none, or remove the images entirely. These options are free.

Find them under **Image Options** at **WPFactory > Related Categories** (also reachable at **WooCommerce > Settings > Related Categories**), on the **Single** or **Archives** sub-tab.

![Image Options for Related Categories for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Image-Options.png)

### Options reference

| Label | Option ID (array key) | Type | Default |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Image size | `image_size` | Select | `woocommerce_thumbnail` |
| Placeholder image | `placeholder_image` | Text | (empty) |
| Remove image | `remove_image` | Checkbox | No |

### Image size

**Image size** is the registered WordPress image size used for the category thumbnails. It defaults to `woocommerce_thumbnail`. The list contains the intermediate image sizes registered on your site, so you can switch to a larger or smaller size to match your layout.

### Placeholder image

**Placeholder image** sets the image used for categories that have no thumbnail. Enter an attachment ID or a full image URL. Left empty, the standard WooCommerce placeholder image is used instead.

### Remove image

**Remove image** hides the category thumbnails entirely. It applies only when **Template type** is set to **Default**. If you use a Custom template, control the image yourself by including or omitting the `%category_image_link%` placeholder in your markup.

### Get more control

The image options are free. [Related Categories for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/item/related-categories-for-woocommerce/) Pro adds hand-picked related categories per product, category, tag and custom taxonomy. [See what Pro unlocks](https://wpfactory.com/item/related-categories-for-woocommerce/).

Related articles

- [Archives Options: Related Categories on Shop and Category Pages](https://wpfactory.com/docs/improving-shop-archives/)
- [Position, Template and Image Options on Single Product Pages](https://wpfactory.com/docs/positioning-display-choices/)
- [Manually Relate Categories per Product, Category, Tag or Taxonomy](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-manually-relate-categories/)
- [Custom Template Placeholders Reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/related-categories-template-placeholders/)
- [Display Related Categories with the Widget](https://wpfactory.com/docs/woocommerce-related-categories-widget/)