Image Compression: The Complete Guide
Reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality
📅 January 29, 2026•⏱️ 7 min read
Large image files slow down websites, eat up storage, and make sharing difficult. This guide teaches you how to compress images effectively while maintaining visual quality.
Understanding Image Compression
Lossy vs Lossless
Lossy Compression
- ✓ Smaller file sizes (up to 90% reduction)
- ✓ Best for photos
- ✗ Some quality loss (often invisible)
- ✗ Cannot restore original
Lossless Compression
- ✓ No quality loss
- ✓ Original can be restored
- ✗ Smaller reduction (20-50%)
- ✗ Larger files than lossy
Image Format Comparison
| Format | Best For | Compression | Transparency |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPEG | Photos | Lossy | ❌ No |
| PNG | Graphics, Screenshots | Lossless | ✅ Yes |
| WebP | Web (all types) | Both | ✅ Yes |
| GIF | Animations | Lossless | ✅ Limited |
| SVG | Logos, Icons | Vector | ✅ Yes |
Recommended Settings by Use Case
- Website images: JPEG quality 70-85%, max width 1920px
- Thumbnails: JPEG quality 60-70%, 150-300px
- Social media: Follow platform guidelines (usually 1200x630 for links)
- Email: Under 100KB per image, JPEG quality 70%
- Print: 300 DPI, minimal compression
Compression Tips
- Resize first - Don't compress a 4000px image for a 400px display
- Choose the right format - JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics
- Remove metadata - EXIF data adds unnecessary bytes
- Use progressive loading - Better perceived performance
- Test different quality levels - Find the sweet spot
FAQ
Does compressing images reduce quality?
It depends on the method. Lossless maintains original quality. Lossy compression can reduce quality, but modern algorithms achieve 60-80% smaller files with minimal visible loss.
What's the best format for web?
WebP offers the best compression. JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics with transparency, SVG for logos and icons.
How much can I compress an image?
Most images can be compressed 50-80% without noticeable quality loss. Results vary based on content and original format.