Making images smaller for email and websites

File dimensions and compression both influence how easy an image is to upload or share.

Dimensions versus file size

Image dimensions describe width and height in pixels. File size describes how much storage the file uses. Reducing dimensions often reduces file size, but not always in a predictable amount.

Start with the destination

Email services, website forms, and social platforms can impose different limits. Check the destination’s requirements before resizing; there is no universal best image size for every upload.

Choose a sensible workflow

Keep your original image. Make a copy for the intended use, resize only as much as necessary, and consider JPG compression if a supported JPG is still too large.

Check the quality

Fine text, edges, and photographic detail may suffer if you reduce dimensions or compress too aggressively. Open the finished file at its intended display size.

Useful tools

Image Resizer changes dimensions; Image Reducer helps reduce supported JPG file sizes.

Try it: Image Resizer. For detailed instructions, see the How-To Guides.