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How to compress images?

Created on 2025-06-04 10:08:26
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Compressing images reduces their file size without significantly compromising quality, which is useful for web optimization, faster loading times, and saving storage space. Here’s how to do it:

1. Use Image Compression Tools

  • Online Tools: Websites like TinyPNG, Squoosh, or Compressor.io allow you to upload images and compress them automatically.
  • Desktop Software: Tools like Adobe Photoshop (with "Save for Web" option) or GIMP (free) provide manual compression settings.
  • Mobile Apps: Apps like Photo Compress 2.0 (iOS/Android) help compress images on the go.

Example: Upload a 5MB JPEG to TinyPNG, and it may reduce to 1MB with minimal quality loss.

2. Adjust Image Format

  • JPEG: Best for photos; use lower quality settings (e.g., 70-80%) to reduce size.
  • PNG: Suitable for graphics with transparency; use tools like TinyPNG to optimize PNGs.
  • WebP: A modern format offering better compression than JPEG/PNG; supported by most browsers.

Example: Convert a JPEG banner to WebP to reduce its size by 30% while maintaining clarity.

3. Resize Images

  • Reduce dimensions (width/height) if the image is larger than needed. For example, a 4000x3000px image can be resized to 1200x900px for web use.

Example: A full HD image (1920x1080px) resized to 800x600px for a blog post will load faster.

4. Use Cloud Services for Batch Compression

For large-scale image compression, cloud services can automate the process. For example, Tencent Cloud’s Image Processing (IMG) service allows batch resizing, compression, and format conversion. It’s useful for e-commerce platforms or websites with many product images.

Example: A store uploads 1,000 product images to Tencent Cloud IMG, which automatically compresses them to WebP format, reducing bandwidth costs and improving page load speed.

5. Enable Browser Caching

While not direct compression, caching compressed images reduces repeated downloads for returning visitors.

Example: A website serves compressed images and sets a 30-day cache policy, improving user experience for repeat visits.