compress

Compress JPG

Compress JPG photos locally with adjustable quality and JPG or WebP output.

LocalNo uploadInstant download
1

Source

Select or drop an image file.

Your preview will appear here.

3

Output

Pick a file to start.

Guide

What this tool is for

JPG compression is the most widely used technique for reducing photograph file sizes, and getting the quality setting right makes a significant difference in both file size and visual appearance. JPG uses lossy compression based on the discrete cosine transform, which discards subtle color and detail information that the human eye is less sensitive to. At quality 80-85, JPG typically reduces file size by 60-80 percent compared to quality 100 with no visible difference on most displays. This tool provides a live preview so you can find the exact quality level that meets your size requirements without sacrificing acceptable quality.

This tool specializes in compressing JPG files with precise quality control. Use it when you have a JPG photograph that is too large for upload, email, or web use, and you want to reduce its file size while maintaining control over visual quality.

How to use this tool

A short browser-side flow that keeps the file on the current device.

  1. Upload your JPG photograph that needs compression.
  2. Adjust the quality slider from 10 to 100 and watch the file size and preview update in real time.
  3. Download the compressed JPG when you reach an acceptable balance of size and quality.

Best use cases

Common jobs where this page saves a repetitive manual step.

  • Compressing digital camera photos for email and online sharing
  • Optimizing product photos for e-commerce websites and marketplaces
  • Reducing JPG file sizes to meet upload limits on forms and portals

Output and format notes

Details that help you avoid format or quality mistakes before export.

  • Quality 80-85 is the recommended starting point for most web photographs
  • JPG compression works best for photos; it creates artifacts on text and screenshots
  • Always compress from the original high-quality JPG, not from a previously compressed copy

JPG compression vs. other optimization approaches

JPG compression is one of several ways to make images smaller and more web-friendly.

  • Use Compress PNG when working with screenshots, logos, or graphics that need lossless quality
  • Use Image to WebP when converting to a modern format yields better compression than JPG
  • Use Resize JPG when reducing pixel dimensions will achieve the size goal more effectively

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What JPG quality setting should I use for website images?

For most website photographs, quality 80-85 provides the best balance of file size and visual quality. Hero images and full-width photos may benefit from quality 85-90, while thumbnails and gallery previews can often use quality 70-75 without noticeable degradation. Test your images at different quality levels and view them at the actual display size to find the sweet spot for your specific content and audience.

Can I compress a JPG multiple times to make it even smaller?

Repeatedly compressing a JPG file causes cumulative quality loss because each compression cycle discards additional data. Always compress from the original high-quality source file rather than from a previously compressed version. If you need a smaller file, increase the compression level in a single pass from the original. This preserves more quality than multiple rounds of lighter compression.

How does JPG compression affect text and screenshots?

JPG compression is designed for photographs with smooth color transitions. On text, screenshots, and images with sharp edges or flat color areas, JPG compression creates visible artifacts like ringing, blurring, and color banding around text and edges. For these types of images, PNG or WebP lossless is a better choice. If you must use JPG for a screenshot, use quality 90+ to minimize artifacts.

What is the difference between baseline and progressive JPG?

Baseline JPG loads from top to bottom, displaying the image line by line as it downloads. Progressive JPG loads in multiple passes, starting with a low-quality version that gradually becomes sharper. Progressive JPG is generally preferred for web use because it gives users a preview faster and can appear to load more quickly. This tool produces standard baseline JPG; for progressive output, use an image optimization tool or CDN that supports it.

Related

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