Images & Design
Free Image Compressor
Shrink an image by quality or to an exact target size in KB.
Free to useNo sign-up requiredNo watermarkRuns in your browser
This free image compressor reduces the file size of a JPG, PNG or WebP while you watch the result side by side with the original. You can set a quality level, or give it a target size in kilobytes and let it find the quality that lands closest.
The target-size mode exists because that is how the problem usually arrives: a form that will not accept anything over 200 KB, or an email attachment limit. Guessing at quality percentages to hit a number is tedious; this does the search for you.
How this tool works
Choose your image
JPG, PNG or WebP. It is read straight from your device - nothing is uploaded.
Pick quality or a target size
Around 80% quality is usually indistinguishable from the original. Or switch to target mode and type the size you need to hit.
Compare before and after
Both versions are shown at once with their dimensions and file sizes, so you can see exactly what you are trading away.
Download
The compressed file is saved with the original name and the right extension.
How it works
The image is decoded, drawn onto a canvas and re-encoded at the quality you choose. JPEG and WebP are lossy formats, so lowering the quality discards detail the eye is least likely to miss and the file gets smaller.
Target-size mode runs a binary search across quality levels - about ten passes - to find the highest quality that still fits under your limit. That is far more accurate than guessing, and much faster than doing it by hand.
PNG is lossless, so it has no quality setting. Compressing a photograph as PNG will usually make it larger, not smaller; converting it to JPG or WebP is what actually reduces the size.
Everything happens on your device. There is no upload wait, no file size ceiling imposed by a server, and no copy of your photo held anywhere.
How much can you expect to save?
| Photo at quality 90 | Roughly 20-40% smaller, visually identical |
|---|---|
| Photo at quality 80 | Roughly 50-70% smaller, differences hard to see |
| Photo at quality 60 | Roughly 70-85% smaller, softening visible on close inspection |
| Screenshot as JPG | Often worse than PNG - text edges blur |
| Already-compressed JPG | Little further saving; resize instead |
Compress or resize?
These solve different problems and are often confused. Compressing keeps the pixel dimensions and stores them less precisely. Resizing reduces the number of pixels.
For a photo straight off a phone destined for a website, resizing wins by a mile. A 4000-pixel-wide image displayed in a 800-pixel column is carrying five times more detail than anyone will ever see. Resize first, then compress - in that order the saving is dramatic.
Worked examples
Getting under 200 KB
Switch to target mode, enter 200, and the tool finds the best quality that fits - typical for job application and government forms.
Photos for a web page
Resize to 1600 pixels wide first, then compress at 80%. A 4 MB phone photo commonly ends up under 200 KB.
Email attachments
Several large photos compressed at 70% usually fit comfortably inside a 10 MB limit.
Frequently asked questions
Is this image compressor free?
Yes - free, no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many images you compress.
Are my images uploaded to a server?
No. Your images never leave your device. They are decoded and re-encoded by your browser, so nothing is transmitted to VSThiran and no copy is kept anywhere.
Will compressing reduce the quality?
JPG and WebP are lossy, so some detail is discarded - that is how the file gets smaller. At around 80% quality the difference is very hard to see. The before-and-after preview lets you judge for yourself before downloading.
How do I compress an image to a specific size like 200 KB?
Turn on "Aim for a specific file size" and enter the number. The tool searches for the highest quality that still fits under your target.
Why did my PNG get bigger?
PNG is lossless and is a poor fit for photographs. Converting a photo to JPG or WebP will make it much smaller. PNG is the right choice only for screenshots, diagrams and images needing transparency.
Is there a file size limit?
No fixed limit, because there is no upload. The practical ceiling is your device's memory - very large images may be slow on an older phone.
Guides for this tool
Need a smaller image for email? Compress it in your browser
Image too large to email or upload? Reduce its file size directly in your browser with VSThiran, then download the smaller image - no signup or software install.
How to resize an image without installing software
Need an image at exact dimensions for a website, listing or upload form? Resize it in your browser with VSThiran - set the width or height and download the result.
How to convert a PNG to JPG
Need a PNG as a JPG for a smaller file or wider compatibility? Convert it in your browser with VSThiran - choose the quality and download the result.
JPG or PNG? How to choose, and convert between them
Not sure whether to save an image as JPG or PNG? Here's the actual difference - and how to convert between them in your browser with VSThiran, whichever way you need.