Chrome Extension: Get Image Properties with Right-Click
Transitioning from Firefox to Chrome and a Missing Feature
Initially, switching from Firefox to Chrome required replicating my preferred browsing tools to maintain a consistent user experience. Fortunately, the Chrome Web Store offers comparable, and often superior, alternatives for nearly every Firefox feature and add-on.
However, even with careful planning, certain functionalities were absent during the transition.
The Missing Image Information Tool
As a blogger and editor, I found myself missing a specific default feature present in Firefox. Firefox provides immediate access to basic image properties directly through a right-click menu option, labeled "View Image Info."
This functionality doesn't require any additional installations; it’s built-in.
Chrome's Alternative and the Need for an Extension
Interestingly, Chrome does not natively include an equivalent feature. While Chrome’s Inspect Element tool exists, it isn’t particularly intuitive or straightforward when seeking simple image information.
Therefore, utilizing a browser extension became necessary to regain this lost functionality.
Consequently, an extension is required to easily access image details within the Chrome browser.
Understanding the Value of Image Properties
It's a fair question to ask why one would need detailed information about an image. For many, simply ensuring an image loads quickly on a webpage is sufficient. If this describes you, you may not need to continue reading. However, as a content creator, knowing an image’s dimensions is sometimes crucial. File size restrictions also frequently come into play.
For photography enthusiasts, a simple right-click can reveal EXIF information embedded within a photograph, when available. Web developers, in particular, often require this type of data readily accessible.
Therefore, if you require details such as an image’s precise dimensions, its source URL, file size, or EXIF data, consider visiting the Chrome Web Store to download the Image Properties Context Menu Chrome extension [No Longer Available]. This extension is straightforward to use and integrates seamlessly into your workflow.
Upon right-clicking an image, a pop-up window appears, displaying the relevant information as illustrated in the screenshot.
- The location of the image and its source URL, representing the complete path to the image on the web server, are provided.
- The image’s dimensions, expressed in pixels, are clearly displayed.
- Webmasters will find the Alternate text, Data URI, and image’s MIME type particularly useful.
- The image’s file size is also shown, serving as a quick reference for editors and administrators to ensure uploads adhere to any established size limitations.
- EXIF data is included when present within the image file. Many image processing steps remove this data to reduce file sizes, but when available, it offers valuable insights into the photograph’s capture settings.
- Finally, the display window includes a preview of the image alongside a slider, allowing for size adjustments.
This Image Properties Context Menu extension is remarkably simple, and offers more comprehensive information than its Firefox counterpart. Firefox lacks the ability to display EXIF data or the Data URI. It’s somewhat surprising that Google doesn’t incorporate these features natively.
Until then, the Chrome Web Store provides a convenient solution. Be sure to check it out, as it’s also highlighted on our list of Best Chrome Extensions under Developer Tools. If you are a web developer, please share your experience with this extension.