How to reduce JPEG file size

Start with the destination

Check which formats, maximum file size and minimum dimensions the destination accepts. A form that asks for JPEG may reject WebP even if WebP is smaller. Keep a copy of your original photo and work from that copy each time.

File size and image dimensions are different. File size is measured in KB or MB; dimensions describe width and height in pixels. Reducing either JPEG quality or unnecessary pixels can reduce the download size.

A practical JPEG workflow

1. Open the JPG compressor and choose JPG as the output before selecting your photo.
2. Open Compression Settings. Start around 80% quality as a trial, then use Apply settings. The quality value is a control, not a percentage of the original file size.
3. If the image is much wider than needed, set Max width to the required pixel width. For example, a 4000-pixel photo can be resized to 1600 pixels for a destination that needs that width. Keep any required minimum dimensions.
4. Check the reported file size and open the preview at 100% output size. Look closely at text, faces and fine edges before downloading.
5. If the file is still too large, lower quality in small steps or reduce dimensions further, then apply again. Stop when the result meets the destination's requirements and still looks acceptable.

Trying to stay below 200 KB?

This tool does not have an automatic target-size mode. To meet a 200 KB limit, follow the workflow above and check the actual output after each change. Aim a little below the limit because upload services may count kilobytes differently.

There is no quality number that guarantees 200 KB for every photo. Detailed foliage, noise and large dimensions can need more bytes than a simple image. If the image becomes unreadable before meeting the limit, check whether the destination allows smaller dimensions or a different format.

When to try WebP instead

If your destination accepts WebP, compare a WebP export with the JPEG result. Our downloadable synthetic landscape example went from 679,014 bytes as JPG to 225,226 bytes as WebP at quality 82, with the same 1600 × 1000 dimensions. That is one measured result, not a guaranteed saving for your photos.

Repeatedly saving a downloaded JPEG with lossy compression can compound artifacts. Reapply settings to your original source instead. Keep your original for archiving or later editing.