How to Make an Image File Size Smaller
There are five distinct ways to make an image file smaller, and the best method depends on your situation. Compressing reduces quality slightly to shrink the data. Resizing removes pixels you don't need. Converting changes the format to one with better compression. Stripping metadata removes invisible data bloat. Reducing colour depth works specifically for simple graphics. This guide covers all five so you can pick the right approach.
Quick Answer
There are five distinct ways to make an image file smaller, and the best method depends on your situation. Compressing reduces quality slightly to shrink the data.
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Step-by-Step Guide
5 steps · takes under 1 minute
Method 1 — Compress (best for most images)
Set quality to 75–85% in the Image Compressor. This reduces file size by 50–75% for most photos with no visible quality difference. Works on JPG, PNG, and WebP.
Method 2 — Resize to display dimensions
A 4000×3000px image displayed at 800px wide is carrying 25× more pixels than needed. Use the Resize tool to set exact dimensions before compressing. Halving resolution quarters the file size.
Method 3 — Convert to a better format
WebP achieves 25–35% better compression than JPG and 26% better than PNG at equal quality. If you're currently using PNG for photos or JPG for web graphics, converting to WebP is the single biggest win.
Method 4 — Strip metadata
Every photo taken on a smartphone carries EXIF metadata: GPS coordinates, camera model, shooting settings, thumbnails. This adds 20–150KB. The compressor strips it automatically.
Method 5 — Reduce colour depth (for simple graphics)
Logos and simple graphics with fewer than 256 colours can use an 8-bit palette instead of 24-bit — reducing file size by 60–70% with no visible change on simple artwork.
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Pro tip
Use 75–85% quality for web images — you get 60–80% smaller files with no visible difference at normal screen sizes.
Format & File Size Comparison
Same 1080×1080px photo processed four ways
| Format | Quality | File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNG (original) | Perfect | 4.2 MB | No compression — too large for web |
| Compressed PNG | Visually identical | 1.1 MB | −74% — transparency preserved |
| JPG (85% quality) | Excellent | 310 KB | −93% · Best for photos |
| WebP (85%)BEST | Excellent | 205 KB | −95% · Recommended for web |
Based on a 1080×1080px photo. Results vary by image content and complexity.
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