Does compressing a JPEG lose quality?
JPEG is lossy, but at 70–85% quality the change is usually invisible while the file gets much smaller.
Image compression
Compress a JPEG Online
JPEG is the go-to for photographs. Squeeze the file size down while keeping the detail your eye cares about.
Open the Image CompressorWhat to expect
Camera JPEG at maximum quality4.6 MB
Same JPEG at quality 80610 KB
How to use
How to compress a JPEG online
JPEG is the go-to for photographs. Squeeze the file size down while keeping the detail your eye cares about.
- Add your JPEG. Drop your .jpg or .jpeg photo onto the compressor.
- Tune quality. Set quality between 70–85% for the best size-to-look balance.
- Compare. Check the before/after preview and file size.
- Download. Save your smaller JPEG.
How JPEG compression works
JPEG uses lossy compression tuned for photos: it discards detail the human eye barely notices. That is why a small quality drop can halve the file size with no visible change, ideal for photographs and camera shots.
For most photos, 70–85% quality is the sweet spot. Push lower only when you need to hit a strict size limit, since heavy compression can introduce blocky artefacts in smooth areas like skies.
Frequently asked questions
JPG vs JPEG, is there a difference?
No. They are the same format; the extensions are interchangeable.
Should I use WebP instead?
WebP is smaller at the same quality, but JPEG has universal support. The tool can output either.
More compression guides