Image format conversion
Compress JPEG
Make an oversized JPEG smaller without changing its pixels or uploading it anywhere. Load the file, leave the output size untouched, lower the quality slider while the live estimate shows the resulting MB, and download when the number works for you.
What compressing a JPEG really means
A JPEG is already compressed once when it is saved, and every re-save trades a little detail for size. That trade is fine — JPEG is built for it — but it works best as a deliberate decision rather than an accident. Compressing here means loading your JPEG, keeping the output at its original dimensions, and stepping the quality down until the estimated file size fits where the image is going: an upload limit, an email attachment, or a page that needs to load fast.
The important control to understand is the output canvas: the editor always exports at a canvas size — with no size selected it uses its default 1080 × 1080 canvas, so select a size or a custom ratio that matches your source before compressing. The pixel readout next to the preview shows exactly what will be exported.
How to find the right quality level
- Load the JPEG.
It stays on your device for the whole process. - Match the output canvas to the source.
Pick a size or custom ratio with the same proportions; the pixel readout shows the exact export size. - Step the quality down.
Watch the live MB estimate; move in small steps rather than jumping to the minimum. - Download and inspect.
Artifacts appear first around text, sharp edges, and flat skies — check those areas up close.
Common questions
Why did my compressed JPEG get slightly softer?
JPEG quality works by discarding detail the encoder thinks you will not miss. At moderate steps the loss is genuinely hard to see; pushed too far, edges get blocky and colors band. If a level looks wrong on inspection, step back up and accept the larger file — the estimate updates instantly, so the trade is always visible.
Can I make it smaller without losing any quality?
Only by changing the dimensions — a smaller image is a smaller file at identical per-pixel quality. If shrinking the picture is acceptable, use the crop or a size preset instead; if the pixels must stay, the quality slider is the only honest lever.
Is there a format that gets smaller without these artifacts?
Sometimes, yes: re-encoding the same image as WebP often lands smaller at matching visual quality, and the editor exports WebP directly. That changes the file format rather than compressing the JPEG itself, so pick based on where the image will be used.