How to Compress Images Without Visible Quality Loss
Quick answer
Resize the image to the size it will actually be displayed, then save it as JPG or WebP at 70–85% quality. This usually cuts file size by 60–90% with no visible difference. Use PNG only for logos, screenshots and images that need transparency.
Step 1: Resize first
A phone photo is often 4000 pixels wide, but a blog shows it at around 1200. Resizing first removes over 85% of the pixels before compression even starts.
Step 2: Pick the right format
| Format | Use it for | Avoid for |
|---|---|---|
| JPG | Photos, scanned documents | Logos, text, transparency |
| WebP | Websites – smaller than JPG at similar quality | Very old software |
| PNG | Logos, screenshots, transparency | Large photos (files get huge) |
Step 3: Compress with a sensible quality
- Open Compress Image and add your pictures.
- Choose JPG or WebP and start at 80% quality.
- Need a hard limit, like a form that accepts 200 KB? Switch on “Target size”.
- Compare the before and after sizes, then download.
Compressing a JPG repeatedly loses a little quality each time. Always start from the original photo when you can.
Questions and answers
What quality setting should I use for JPG?
Start at 80%. Between 70% and 85% most people cannot see a difference, while the file is often 50–80% smaller than at 100%.
Does compressing an image remove its location data?
When you re-encode an image in the browser, EXIF metadata such as GPS location is not copied to the new file.