How do I compress an image to a specific KB size?

Lower the quality slider in steps and watch the output size shown on each image card. For strict limits (for example a 200 KB form cap), resize the image smaller first, then reduce quality until you land under the target.

Does compressing an image reduce its dimensions?

No. Compression lowers how precisely each pixel is stored; it does not change width or height. To change pixel dimensions, resize the image instead — and for the smallest files, resize first, then compress.

What is the best quality setting for web images?

80% is a reliable starting point for most web photos, balancing sharpness and size. Use 82–88% for hero and product images, and 65–75% for thumbnails where artifacts are less visible.

Is it better to compress as JPEG, WebP or AVIF?

WebP is the practical default — about 25–35% smaller than JPEG at the same quality with broad support. AVIF compresses even further but encodes more slowly. Keep JPEG when you need maximum compatibility.

How to Compress Images Without Losing Quality

Learn how to reduce image file size for the web while keeping photos looking sharp. Covers quality settings, format choice, and when to use JPEG vs WebP.

Why compress images?

Large image files slow down websites, consume storage space, and take longer to send by email. Page speed is also a Google ranking factor — images typically account for 50–80% of a web page's total download size.

Compressing images before uploading them is one of the highest-impact optimisations you can make. A well-compressed photo can be 70–90% smaller than the original while looking identical at normal viewing sizes.

Lossy vs lossless compression

Lossy compression (JPEG, WebP, AVIF) permanently removes some image data to achieve smaller files. At high quality settings the removed data is mostly imperceptible, but at low settings you'll see blurring and blockiness around edges.

Lossless compression (PNG, WebP lossless) reorganises the data without discarding any of it. The file is smaller but the image is pixel-perfect. Lossless is best for screenshots, diagrams, and images with text.

Choosing the right output format

JPEG: Best for photographs. Excellent browser support. Quality 80–90% is the standard for web use.

WebP: Typically 25–35% smaller than JPEG at the same quality. Supported by all modern browsers. Ideal for new web projects.

AVIF: The newest format with the best compression ratios — up to 50% smaller than JPEG. Encoding is slower but results are excellent for high-resolution images.

PNG: Use for images that need transparency or contain sharp graphics. Use lossless compression only.

Step-by-step: compress images with PhotoTools

1. Open the Compress tool. 2. Drop one or more images onto the upload area. 3. Set your target quality using the slider (we recommend starting at 80%). 4. Choose an output format — keep the original, or switch to WebP for maximum savings. 5. Click Compress all, then download the results.

Each image card shows the original size, the compressed size, and the percentage saved. If you're not satisfied with the result, adjust the quality slider and recompress.

What is EXIF data and why strip it?

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is metadata embedded in your photo by the camera or phone. It includes the camera make and model, lens information, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and — critically — GPS coordinates.

Stripping EXIF when compressing for web use saves a few kilobytes and protects your privacy. Our compressor removes EXIF automatically by re-encoding through the Canvas API.