Adds a top-level field with featured image data including available sizes and URLs to the post object returned by the REST API.
As of April 2026, Better REST API Featured Images is a WordPress post plugin with 2.0K+ active installations and a 5/5 rating from 11 reviews. It has been downloaded 59K+ times in total. Requires WordPress 4.0+ and PHP false+. Available on WordPress.org since 2015. Last updated 9 years ago — may have compatibility concerns. Downloads are down 28% this week. Top alternative: Post Type Switcher.
Note: You probably do not need this plugin. The REST API already supports adding the query param ?_embed to your URL and the response will then include all “embedded media”, including the featured image, and the data you get there is exactly what this plugin gives you. The only reasons to use this plugin at this point are if you prefer to have the featured image data in a top level field in the response rather than among other embedded media in the _embedded field, and if you always want the featured image data in the response rather than having to ask for it with ?_embed. I still use this plugin because I do usually want both these things, but definitely give ?_embed a try before using this plugin. 🙂
Version 2 of the WordPress REST API returns a featured_media field (formerl…
Definitely what I wanted. Essential for get images per posts. Thanks a lot
Makes retrieving post images much faster.
what else to say – it works. Should be core too.
The original REST API plugin has problems with featured images. This plugin is the solution. Thank you very much for it!
Does what id says, and it helps me a lot while building the theme in Angular2. Only one GET to have Post and Featured Image details!
| WordPress | 4.0+ requiredTested up to 4.6.30 |
| PHP | false+ required |
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