Why Image Compression Matters
Large images slow websites, fail upload limits, and fill storage. Smart compression reduces bytes while preserving visual quality — the goal is “looks the same at normal size,” not a mathematically perfect replica.
Choose the Right Format
- JPG — best for photographs
- PNG — logos and graphics needing transparency
- WebP — modern format, often 25–35% smaller than JPG at similar quality
- AVIF — excellent compression when your audience uses modern browsers
Compression Techniques
1. Quality Settings
Lowering quality from 100% to 85% often cuts file size dramatically with little visible change.
2. Resize Dimensions
A 4000px photo displayed at 800px on a website wastes bandwidth. Resize to actual display size.
3. Target File Size
For forms requiring 100 KB or 200 KB limits, use target-size compression mode.
4. Strip Metadata
EXIF data can add kilobytes and expose location info. Remove it during compression.