JPEG (also written JPG) is the standard format for photographs, and it's where compression pays off most. Because JPEG is lossy, you can throw away visual detail the eye barely notices and cut file size by 60–80% with no obvious change. This tool gives you a quality slider so you decide the balance — and it all runs in your browser.
JPG vs JPEG — what's the difference?
None. "JPG" and "JPEG" are the same format; the three-letter extension is a leftover from old Windows file-naming limits. This tool handles both identically.
How JPEG compression works
JPEG breaks an image into small blocks and discards high-frequency detail your eye is least sensitive to. The quality setting controls how aggressively it does this:
- 90–100%: near-original, large files. Use only for print or archival.
- 75–85%: the sweet spot — visually identical on screen, dramatically smaller. Best for the web.
- 50–70%: noticeable softening on close inspection, but tiny files. Good for thumbnails or strict size limits.
Tip: Re-saving a JPEG repeatedly stacks compression artifacts. Always compress from the original, not from an already-compressed copy.
Need to hit a specific size?
If you're fighting an upload limit, see compress image to 100KB or 200KB for size-targeted guidance. For photos headed to the web, also consider WebP, which is typically 25–35% smaller than JPEG at the same quality.
How to compress a JPEG
Add your JPEG photos
Drag JPG/JPEG files into the drop zone or click to browse. Batch-add as many as you like — they're processed on your device, not uploaded.
Pick a quality level
Slide to your target quality. 75–85% looks visually identical to most originals while cutting size dramatically.
Save or download as ZIP
Download each compressed photo, or grab the whole batch as one ZIP file.
🔧 Try Compress Image — free, private, no upload
Drop your files and get smaller versions in seconds. Quality slider, format switching, and batch processing — all in your browser.
Open Compress Image →Frequently asked questions
What quality should I use for web photos?
75–85% is the sweet spot. It looks identical to the original on screen for the vast majority of photos while cutting file size by more than half.
Is JPG the same as JPEG?
Yes — identical format, different extension. The tool treats .jpg and .jpeg files the same way.
Will compressing reduce my photo's resolution?
No. Quality compression keeps the same pixel dimensions. If you also want fewer pixels, resize the image before compressing for even smaller files.
Are my photos uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything is processed locally in your browser. Your photos never touch a server.