Beginner's Guide
⏱ 4 min read🎯 Beginner level🔄 Updated 2026
The short version
- Go to the compressor and drop your image in.
- Leave the mode on Lossy and the slider around 75 %.
- Click Compress all, then Download.
On this page
- Step‑by‑step walkthrough
- Choosing the right mode
- Choosing the right output format
- Mistakes beginners make
- Quick‑reference cheat sheet
- Troubleshooting
- FAQ
Step‑by‑step: compressing your first image
1️⃣ Upload your image
Drag a photo or screenshot from your desktop straight onto the upload box, or click the box to open your device's file picker. You can select more than one file at a time if you have a batch to get through.
2️⃣ Pick a compression mode
Three buttons appear: Lossy, Lossless, and Target size. If you're not sure which to pick, leave it on Lossy — it's the right default for almost every photo.
3️⃣ Move the quality slider
In Lossy mode, a slider appears from 10 % to 95 %. Lower numbers make a smaller file but discard more detail; higher numbers keep more detail but save less space. 75 % is a safe, near‑invisible starting point for most photos.
4️⃣ Click “Compress all”
The tool processes every uploaded file and shows you the before and after size side by side, with the percentage saved in orange. This usually takes under three seconds per image.
5️⃣ Download your file
Click Download next to a single image, or Download ZIP if you compressed several at once — that gives you one archive with everything inside, ready to unzip anywhere.
Understanding the tool
Lossy, lossless, or target size — which one do I want?
- Lossy – best for photos (camera, phone). Shrinks the file the most while discarding details the human eye barely notices.
- Lossless – best for graphics, logos, screenshots, and anything with sharp text. Keeps every pixel exactly as it was.
- Target size – you type a kilobyte limit (e.g., an upload limit) and the tool finds the highest quality that still fits.
Do I need to change the file format too?
Usually you can keep the original format:
- JPG if you’re not going to touch anything else – universally supported and good for photos.
- WebP for the smallest possible file on websites with no visible quality loss.
- PNG when you need transparency (e.g., logos).
- Avoid re‑saving as GIF for photos – it’s built for simple graphics and will degrade quality.
Common mistakes first‑time users make
- Compressing the same file more than once – each round discards more detail.
- Setting quality too low “just to be safe” – 20‑30 % saves little but looks bad.
- Using Lossless on a large photo – barely shrinks size.
- Forgetting to check the result before publishing – always preview the before/after.
Quick‑reference cheat sheet
| What you're compressing | Mode | Suggested quality |
|---|---|---|
| Phone or camera photo for a blog | Lossy | 75‑85 % |
| Product photo for an online store | Lossy | 80‑90 % |
| Logo or icon | Lossless | n/a |
| Screenshot with text | Lossless | n/a |
| Email attachment under a size limit | Target size | enter the KB limit |
| Social media upload | Lossy | 70‑80 % |
| Print‑quality archive copy | Lossless | n/a |
Troubleshooting
- My compressed file barely got smaller – the image may already be compressed. Try lower quality or switch to Lossy.
- My compressed image looks blurry or blocky – increase the quality (≥75 %).
- The upload box isn’t responding to drag – some browsers block drag‑and‑drop; click the box instead.
- My PNG lost its transparency – ensure you’re using Lossless mode.
FAQ
- What compression setting should a beginner use? – Start with Lossy at 75 %.
- Why does my compressed image look blurry? – Quality was set too low.
- Should I use lossy or lossless compression? – Depends on source (photos → lossy, graphics → lossless).
- Do I need to install anything to compress images? – No, everything runs in your browser.
- Will I need to do this again for every image? – Yes, each image is processed independently.
- Is it safe to compress personal or private photos? – Files never leave your browser.