What is the Image Compressor?
The Image Compressor reduces the file size of JPEG, PNG, and WebP images in your browser. You control the quality level and can see the size reduction before downloading the result.
Images are usually the largest component of a web page by bytes, so compressing them is normally the single most effective performance improvement available. A photograph straight from a camera or phone can be several megabytes; the same image at a sensible web quality is often under two hundred kilobytes with no visible difference.
JPEG and WebP use lossy compression, discarding detail the eye is least sensitive to. The quality setting controls how aggressive that is. PNG is lossless, so its savings come from more efficient encoding rather than from discarding data.
Quality settings behave non-linearly. Dropping from 100 to 85 typically removes most of the file size while remaining visually indistinguishable. Going below about 70 is where compression artefacts start to become noticeable, particularly around sharp edges and in flat gradients.
How to use the Image Compressor
- Upload your image. Select or drag in a JPEG, PNG, or WebP file. It is read locally and not uploaded anywhere.
- Set the quality level. Around 80 to 85 is a good starting point for photographs.
- Compare the result. Check the compressed image against the original, and look at the resulting file size.
- Download. Save the compressed image. The original file on your disk is untouched.
Worked examples
Typical savings by quality level
Approximate results for a photograph. The steep early drop is why quality 85 is such a common default.
Original (quality 100): 2,400 KB
Quality 90: 480 KB
Quality 85: 310 KB
Quality 75: 210 KB
Quality 60: 140 KBQuality 85 removes about 87% of the size
with no visible difference in most photographs.
Below 70, artefacts become noticeable around
sharp edges and in smooth gradients.Choosing a format
Format choice often matters more than the quality slider.
Photographs -> JPEG or WebP
Screenshots, UI -> PNG or WebP
Logos, flat colour -> SVG if possible, else PNG
Transparency -> PNG or WebPWebP is typically 25-35% smaller than JPEG
at equivalent quality and supports transparency.
It is supported in all current browsers.Common use cases
- Speeding up page load. Reducing image weight is usually the largest single win available for page performance.
- Meeting upload size limits. Many forms and platforms cap file size, and compression brings an image under the limit.
- Reducing email attachment size. Compressed images send faster and avoid attachment limits.
- Preparing product or gallery images. Consistent compression across a catalogue keeps pages responsive.
Features and limitations
- Supports JPEG, PNG, and WebP.
- Adjustable quality with a visible before-and-after size comparison.
- Processing happens entirely in your browser using the Canvas API, the image is never uploaded.
- The original file is never modified; you download a new compressed copy.
- Lossy compression is irreversible, so always compress from your original rather than repeatedly recompressing an already-compressed file.
Frequently asked questions
Are my images uploaded to a server?
No. The file is read into your browser and processed with the Canvas API. Nothing is transmitted, which is why this is safe to use for private photographs or unreleased assets.
Will compression visibly degrade my image?
At quality 85 and above, generally not for photographs. Below about 70 you will start to see artefacts, particularly around text, sharp edges, and in smooth gradients. Compare before downloading.
Which format should I use?
WebP where you can, it is 25 to 35% smaller than JPEG at similar quality and supports transparency. JPEG remains a safe default for photographs, and PNG is right for screenshots, flat-colour graphics, and anything needing crisp edges.
Why did compressing my PNG barely help?
PNG is lossless, so the only savings come from more efficient encoding rather than discarding data. If the image is a photograph, converting to JPEG or WebP will produce a much larger reduction.
Can I compress the same image twice?
You can, but you should not. Lossy compression is generational, each pass discards more detail permanently. Always start from the original.
Does compression remove EXIF metadata?
Re-encoding through the canvas typically strips metadata including GPS coordinates and camera details. That is usually desirable for privacy when publishing images online.
All processing happens locally in your browser, your data never leaves your device.