Compression Guide

How to compress images for faster websites.

Image compression reduces file size so pages load faster, visitors use less data, and uploads become easier to manage.

Why compression matters

Images are often the largest assets on a web page. Smaller image files can improve loading speed, Core Web Vitals, mobile experience, and storage efficiency while keeping the visual result useful.

Step-by-step compression process

1. Upload your images

Open the compressor and add the images you want to optimize. Batch compression is helpful when preparing multiple product photos, gallery images, or blog graphics.

2. Select a compression level

Choose balanced settings for most images. Use smallest file when speed matters more than detail, and use best quality when the image contains important texture, text, or product details.

3. Choose an output format

Auto works well for general use. JPG is strong for photos, PNG is useful for transparency or sharp graphics, and WebP is often a good modern format for web delivery.

4. Remove metadata when appropriate

Metadata can include camera or editing details. Removing it often reduces file size and keeps shared images cleaner.

5. Apply and compare

Apply compression, check the output file size, and preview the image. If details look too soft, increase quality and compress again.

Practical tips

Resize before compressing when an image is much larger than needed. Avoid repeated compression on the same file because quality can degrade over multiple exports.

Quality versus file size

The smallest file is not always the best result. A product photo, certificate scan, or screenshot with small text may need a higher quality setting. A background image or simple social graphic can often use stronger compression without obvious visual loss.

Compression for website owners

For web pages, use image dimensions close to the display area and compress before uploading to your CMS. This keeps pages lighter for mobile users and can reduce layout delays caused by oversized media files.

Open Compress Tool