User Guide
Step 1 — Set the quality
- Drag the quality slider; lower values give smaller files.
- 70–80% is the sweet spot for photographs — big savings, barely visible change.
- Use higher values for graphics with text or sharp edges.
Step 2 — Choose the format
- “Keep original” re-encodes in the same format.
- Switch to WebP for the smallest files on the modern web.
- Use JPEG for universal compatibility.
Step 3 — Upload and compress
- Drag an image in or click to browse.
- Press Process; the file is compressed on the server.
- The result shows how much smaller it became.
Step 4 — Compare and download
- The before/after preview shows both versions and their sizes.
- Download the compressed image.
- Files are deleted from the server within an hour.
About the Image Compressor
This tool reduces the file size of an image without changing its pixel dimensions, by re-encoding it at a quality level you choose and stripping unnecessary metadata. The result is a much lighter file that looks essentially the same but loads far faster and uses less storage and bandwidth.
Why compression matters
Images are typically the heaviest content on a web page, and uncompressed photos are the most common reason pages load slowly. A camera photo can be several megabytes when the same image, sensibly compressed, might be a few hundred kilobytes with no visible difference. Faster pages improve the experience for visitors, reduce bounce rates, and help search ranking, since loading speed is a ranking factor.
Quality and file size
The quality slider controls the trade-off. For JPEG and WebP, lowering quality discards visual detail the eye barely notices, shrinking the file substantially. There are diminishing returns and a point where artefacts appear, so a setting of 70 to 80 percent usually gives the best balance for photographs. Graphics with text, logos, or sharp lines should use a higher setting, since compression artefacts are more visible on hard edges.
Compression versus resizing
Compression and resizing solve different problems. Compression keeps the same width and height but reduces the file weight. Resizing changes the dimensions. For the smallest possible file you often do both: resize to the dimensions you actually display, then compress. This tool handles the compression step; the Image Resizer handles dimensions.
Formats and the modern web
WebP generally produces smaller files than JPEG at the same visual quality and is supported by all current browsers, making it the best choice for websites. JPEG remains the most universally compatible format for photographs. PNG is best for graphics and transparency, though for photographs it produces larger files than JPEG or WebP.
Privacy and limits
Your image is uploaded over a secure connection, compressed, and offered for download; uploaded and generated files are automatically deleted within an hour, and EXIF metadata is stripped during compression for both size and privacy. The maximum upload is 25 MB. To change dimensions use the Image Resizer, and to change only the file type use the Image Converter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much smaller will my image get?
It depends on the original and the quality you choose. Photos often shrink 50–80% at quality 70–80 with little visible change; images already optimised will shrink less.
Does compressing reduce the dimensions?
No. Compression keeps the pixel dimensions and reduces file weight by re-encoding at a lower quality and stripping metadata. To change dimensions, use the Image Resizer.
Is the compression lossy or lossless?
For JPEG and WebP it is lossy — quality is traded for size, which you control with the slider. For PNG it reduces colours and uses maximum lossless compression.
Will it strip my photo’s EXIF data?
Yes, metadata such as camera and location info is removed, which both shrinks the file and improves privacy.
Are my images uploaded anywhere permanent?
No. Files are processed on a secure server and automatically deleted within an hour.