How JPG compression works
JPEG (JPG) uses lossy compression — it discards detail your eye can't easily see. The quality slider (often 0-100) controls how much detail is kept. The sweet spot for photographs is 75-90%: nearly invisible quality difference, dramatically smaller files.
PixlFits lets you set a target file size (in KB or MB) and automatically picks the right quality setting to hit your target.
JPG quality recommendations
Quality 90-100% — only useful when no further editing is planned and storage is free. Visually indistinguishable from quality 90.
Quality 80-90% — the sweet spot for most photos. ~50-70% file size reduction vs quality 100, zero visible difference.
Quality 60-80% — fine for web use at smaller display sizes. Saves 70-85%. Slight artifacts visible at zoom.
Below 60% — visible blockiness. Only use when extreme size constraints apply.
When NOT to use JPG
Screenshots and UI mockups — JPG creates ugly artifacts around text edges. Use PNG or WebP lossless.
Logos and line art — sharp edges get blurry. Use PNG or SVG.
Images with transparency — JPG has no alpha channel. Use PNG or WebP.
Open JPG Compressor →
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Open JPG Compressor →Frequently asked questions
How do I compress a JPG without losing quality?
Quality 85-90% is the sweet spot — typically 50-70% smaller than quality 100 with no visible difference. For even smaller files, consider switching to WebP.
What's the smallest I can make a JPG?
There's no hard floor, but below quality 60% blockiness becomes visible. For target-size compression, PixlFits will automatically find the lowest quality that still fits.
Can I compress a JPG to a specific KB size?
Yes. In PixlFits, enable Target File Size, enter your KB or MB number, and the compressor will iterate the quality setting until it hits your target within 3% accuracy.
Why does compressing a JPG repeatedly degrade it?
Each save re-compresses the already-lossy data, accumulating artifacts. Always compress from the highest-quality original you have, not from a previously compressed JPG.
Is the JPG compression free?
Yes, completely free, unlimited, no account, no watermark, no ads. Runs in your browser — your JPG never gets uploaded.