How Image Compression Works
Image compression reduces file size by finding and removing redundant data. There are two main approaches: lossy (JPG, WebP) which discards some pixel data the human eye barely notices, and lossless (PNG) which reorganizes data without losing any quality. JPG and WebP are best for photos where small artifacts are invisible; PNG is best for screenshots, logos, and graphics with sharp edges or transparency.
How to Compress an Image
Drop your JPG, PNG, or WebP file into the uploader above, choose an output format and quality level, and click Compress Image. The tool runs entirely in your browser using the Canvas API, so your image never leaves your device. You'll see the original size, compressed size, and percentage saved — then download the smaller file with one click.
Best Quality Settings by Use Case
For email attachments, use quality 60-70 to keep most images under 1 MB. For web pages and blog posts, 75-85 is the sweet spot — fast loading, indistinguishable from the original. For print or archival, use 90+ or stick with PNG. If you also need smaller dimensions (e.g. a 4000×3000 photo for a 1200×800 blog header), set a max width or max height to resize while compressing.
JPG vs PNG vs WebP
JPG is the universal workhorse — small files, great for photos, but no transparency and lossy. PNG is lossless and supports transparency, but files are much larger; ideal for screenshots, logos, and graphics. WebP is Google's modern format that matches JPG's small size for photos and PNG's transparency for graphics — supported by all modern browsers since 2020. If your audience uses modern browsers, WebP at quality 80 typically beats both JPG and PNG on size and quality.
Privacy and Security
Because compression happens locally in your browser, your images never touch a server. You can verify this by opening your browser's network tab while using the tool — there are zero upload requests. This makes the tool safe for sensitive images like ID photos, medical scans, or personal documents.