Find a useful compression quality

Reduce weight carefully while checking the parts of an image that matter to your audience.

Start with a moderate setting

Quality 82 is a starting point, not an assurance. Use a higher value for small lettering or detailed textures and try a lower value for a large photograph viewed at a small size. The correct setting is the lowest one that still meets your visual requirement.

Inspect the real download

Compare the downloaded output to the original at normal viewing size, then zoom in to inspect gradients, hair, foliage and straight edges. Look for banding, blocks and ringing around contrasting shapes. An attractive preview alone is not enough to assess a file used for printing or further editing.

The results show original and output sizes and signed percentage change. An increase is possible and is reported honestly. If quality is reduced too far, use the original again rather than increasing the quality of a damaged export.

Dimensions often matter more

A 6,000-pixel photo used in a 600-pixel slot carries unnecessary pixels. Resize a copy for the intended display, allowing for higher-density screens where appropriate, then compare compression. Keep a large original separately for future uses.