Image Transformations
URL-based parameters to transform images in real-time.
ImageKit.io can perform real-time transformations to deliver perfect images to the end-users. These transformations can be performed by using the URL-based transformation parameters.
URL structure
URL-endpoint transformation image path
┌──────────────────────────┐┌────────────┐┌───────────────────────┐
https://ik.imagekit.io/demo/tr:w-300,h-300/medium_cafe_B1iTdD0C.jpg
These transformation parameters
w-300,h-300
can be added in the URL as path params or as query parameters.The transformations can be as basic as manipulating the height and width of the image, to complex transformations like watermarking or smart cropping of your images. A few common use-cases are explained below.
Often you need multiple variations of a single image to cater to different devices and sections within your application layout. Now you can create as many variations using ImageKit.io real-time image transformation parameters. Just change the URL to get a new image.
Learn about all commonly used resizing parameters
Learn how to used named transformations for better code readability
You can load a small size blurred image as a placeholder while the actual image loads in the background. ImageKit.io provides a blur parameter
bl
that can give you a blurred file that is smaller in file size but can be used as a placeholder as it shows the content. This technique is used by many applications, including Medium publication.
https://ik.imagekit.io/demo/medium_cafe_B1iTdD0C.jpg?tr=bl-6
With the ability to resize images by changing URL, it becomes very easy to implement responsive images in your web applications. Learn more about responsive images in our detailed guide:
ImageKit.io can automatically detect the most important part of the image and preserves it in the output thumbnail. This could be super useful while creating small thumbnails. Learn more from the blog post below.

How Smart Crop Can Help Deliver Perfect Responsive Images
ImageKit.io Blog
Practical applications of smart crop
You can overlay multiple images or colored rectangles on your original image directly from the URL. If you happen to change the overlay image, it can be done in minutes instead of days.
Here we have put the ImageKit.io logo (https://ik.imagekit.io/demo/logo-white_SJwqB4Nfe.png) on another image using overlay parameter i.e.,
oi
Learn more about image overlay

https://ik.imagekit.io/demo/tr:h-300,oi-logo-white_SJwqB4Nfe.png/medium_cafe_B1iTdD0C.jpg
You can overlay text on an image and create dynamic banners. You can also control the font, font size, weight, color, and position of the text.
Learn more about text overlay

https://ik.imagekit.io/demo/tr:ot-overlay%20made%20easy,ots-45,otc-00FFFF/medium_cafe_B1iTdD0C.jpg