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How to compress images without losing too much detail

Choose an image format and compare quality before sharing.

2026-10-28

A smaller image is easier to share, but the right settings depend on what the image contains.

Choose the right format

JPEG works well for photographs without transparency. WebP is useful when you need a smaller file with transparent areas. Converting a JPEG to PNG does not restore detail that was already lost.

Compare before sharing

Start at 70% quality, then compare the original and result at full size. Look closely at faces, fine hair, leaves and small lettering. If the result looks soft or blocky, raise the quality. Already optimized images may become larger when encoded again.

Resize when appropriate

If your image is much larger than its destination needs, reduce its dimensions first. Keep a copy of the original. For video thumbnails, our YouTube Thumbnail Resizer creates a 1280 × 720 JPEG; check the downloaded file before sharing it.

Keep your files private

SmartToolHub's image tools process files in your browser. Files are not uploaded to SmartToolHub servers.