WordPress Core
The WordPress upload directory is the folder on the server where all Media Library files are stored. By default it is /wp-content/uploads/, organised into subfolders by year and month of upload.
Structure of the upload directory
WordPress creates year/month subdirectories automatically: /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ contains files uploaded in April 2025. Each original file is stored alongside its thumbnail variants. The path structure is recorded in the database so WordPress can reconstruct file URLs from stored relative paths.
The upload directory location can be customised by defining UPLOADS in wp-config.php or by using a plugin. Some hosting setups or Bedrock-based installations use different paths — Mediapapa reads the configured path dynamically rather than assuming the default.
Upload directory and media governance
Files on disk that are not registered in the WordPress database — uploaded via FTP, created by themes, or left over from deleted plugins — are invisible to the Media Library. Mediapapa only scans registered attachments. Media Cleaner is a plugin that additionally scans the filesystem for unregistered files.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the WordPress upload directory?
Yes. Define UPLOADS in wp-config.php before the WordPress core files are loaded. This changes where new uploads go but does not move existing files. Moving existing uploads requires updating file paths in the database as well.
Are upload directory files backed up?
That depends on your backup solution. WordPress backup plugins like UpdraftPlus include the uploads directory by default. The uploads directory is the largest part of a typical WordPress backup — media files account for most storage on content-heavy sites.
Related terms: Attachment · Media Library
Curious what is hiding in your library?
Scan it for free. No account needed.