Best for Photos

Compress JPEG Images

Reduce JPEG sizes up to 80%. Free & private.

Compress Convert
All JPEG PNG WebP PDF

Drag & drop images here

or browse files

Supports JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF (max 10 files, 50MB each)

100% Private

Files never uploaded

Perfect for Photos

Optimized for JPEG

Quality Control

Adjustable settings

Batch Process

Up to 10 files at once

How JPEG Compression Works

JPEG uses lossy compression, which means it permanently removes some image data to achieve smaller file sizes. The compression works by:

  • Color space conversion - Converting from RGB to YCbCr, where the human eye is less sensitive to color variations
  • Chroma subsampling - Reducing color resolution since we perceive brightness changes more than color changes
  • Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) - Converting image blocks into frequency components
  • Quantization - Reducing precision of frequency components (this is where quality loss occurs)

Best Practices for JPEG Compression

Follow these guidelines to get the best results when compressing JPEG images:

  • Start with high-quality originals - Always compress from the original file, not a previously compressed version
  • Use appropriate quality settings - 70-80% for web, 85-95% for print
  • Consider the content - Photos with smooth gradients compress better than graphics with sharp edges
  • Test before publishing - Preview compressed images at actual display size to check for artifacts

When to Use JPEG

JPEG is ideal for:

  • Photographs and realistic images with many colors
  • Images with smooth gradients and color transitions
  • Web images where file size is more important than perfect quality
  • Email attachments and social media sharing

JPEG is not recommended for:

  • Graphics with text, logos, or sharp edges (use PNG instead)
  • Images requiring transparency (use PNG or WebP)
  • Images that will be edited multiple times (use lossless formats for editing)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can JPEG images be compressed?

JPEG images typically compress by 50-80%. Photos with gradual color transitions compress better than images with sharp edges or text.

Will I notice quality loss after compression?

At 70-80% quality, most JPEG images are visually indistinguishable from the original. Lower quality settings may show artifacts in detailed areas.

What's the best quality setting for JPEG?

For web use, 70-80% provides an excellent balance. For printing or archiving, use 85-95%. Below 60% is only recommended for thumbnails.

Can I compress JPEG images multiple times?

Each compression degrades quality slightly. It's best to compress from the original file rather than re-compressing an already compressed JPEG.