Key takeaways
- A quality setting of roughly 70 to 80 percent often looks the same on screen while making the file much smaller.
- Limiting the largest side shrinks big camera photos far more than quality alone.
- If an image is already small, Compress Image tells you and returns the original.
- Compression runs in your browser, so photos are not uploaded.
Compress an image in your browser
- Open Compress Image and add your photo.
- Set the Quality slider. It goes from 10 to 95 percent.
- Optionally set the largest side to limit the longest edge of the image.
- Download the result and compare it with the original.
Choosing the quality setting
Quality is a trade-off between size and detail. Lower numbers save more space but discard more detail.
| Quality | What to expect |
|---|---|
| 90 to 95% | Very close to the original, only a modest saving |
| 70 to 80% | A good starting point for most photos |
| Below 50% | Small files, but softness and blocky areas can appear |
Start around 80 percent and lower it a little at a time until you can just see a difference, then go one step back.
The bigger win: reduce the largest side
Modern phone cameras take very large pictures, much bigger than any screen needs. Setting a smaller largest side removes pixels you will never see. For many uses, such as email or a form upload, this saves more than lowering quality ever will.
If you need an exact width and height instead, use Resize Photo.
When an image will not get smaller
If an image is already small or well compressed, compressing again may not save anything. In that case Compress Image returns your original file and tells you. Try a lower quality or a smaller largest side.
Frequently asked questions
What quality setting should I use?
Around 70 to 80 percent is a good starting point. Lower numbers make smaller files with more visible loss.
Is my original image changed?
No. You download a new compressed copy.
Can I compress photos on my phone?
Yes. It works in your phone browser.