How to Compress Images for Web Without Losing Quality
Large images slow down websites. Learn how to compress JPG, PNG and WebP images for the web — free, online, no software needed.
Why Image Compression Matters
Page speed is one of the most important factors in web performance. A single unoptimised image can add megabytes to a page load and significantly slow down your site.
Google uses page speed as a ranking factor. Faster pages rank higher, convert better, and provide a better experience on mobile.
The average image taken on a modern phone is 3–6 MB. For a web page, you want images under 200 KB — ideally under 100 KB for hero images.
How Much Can You Compress an Image?
Here are typical results from canvas-based compression:
| Preset | Quality | Size reduction |
|---|---|---|
| Web | 70% | 60–75% smaller |
| 60% | 70–80% smaller | |
| Maximum | 45% | 80–90% smaller |
A 4 MB phone photo compressed on Web preset typically becomes 400–600 KB — still looks great on screen.
How to Compress Images on Breklo
1. Go to Breklo's Compress Image tool
2. Drop your images onto the upload area (JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF)
3. Choose a preset: Web, Email, Maximum, or Custom
4. Click Compress images
5. Each compressed file downloads with a summary showing how much was saved
You can compress multiple images at once and see the total space saved.
Which Format Is Best for Web?
| Format | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| JPG | Photos, hero images | Smallest size for photos |
| PNG | Logos, graphics with text | Supports transparency |
| WebP | Everything | 25–35% smaller than JPG/PNG |
WebP is the modern choice. Convert your JPGs to WebP with JPG to WebP and your PNGs with PNG to WebP for the best results.
Tips for Web Image Optimisation
- Resize before compressing — if your image is 4000px wide and only displays at 800px, resize it first. Compression can't fix oversized dimensions.
- Use WebP — it's supported by all modern browsers and is significantly smaller than JPG or PNG.
- Lazy load images — this is a code-level change, but combined with compression it dramatically speeds up page loads.
- Compress in bulk — Breklo lets you drop multiple images at once, so you can compress an entire folder of images in one go.
After Compression: Check the Result
Always compare the compressed image to the original before publishing. Open both side by side. For most web images at 70% quality, the difference is invisible at normal viewing distances.
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Frequently asked questions
What image formats can I compress on Breklo?
JPG, PNG, WebP and GIF are all supported. All formats are output as JPG after compression for maximum size reduction.
What is the difference between the compression presets?
Web (70% quality) is ideal for website use. Email (60%) produces smaller files for attachments. Maximum (45%) gives the smallest possible file for thumbnails or previews. Custom lets you set exact quality and maximum dimensions.
Does compressing an image reduce its dimensions?
Yes, if the image exceeds the maximum pixel size for the preset. Web preset limits images to 1200px on the longest side. You can also set a custom dimension in Custom mode.
Can I compress multiple images at once?
Yes. Drop as many images as you need onto the upload area. They all compress together and download with a summary of space saved.
What is WebP and should I use it?
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google. It produces images 25–35% smaller than JPG or PNG at the same quality. All modern browsers support it, making it the best choice for web images.
Will compressed images look different on a website?
At 70% quality, the difference from the original is generally invisible at screen resolution. Printed images may show slight softening at lower quality settings.