How to Choose Image Compression Quality

Quick answer

Start at quality 80 for JPEG or WebP, then lower until you see visible artifacts at real size. Most web images look good between 70 and 85. For text-heavy graphics, use lossless output instead.

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Why quality settings matter

Compression quality controls how much detail gets removed. Higher quality keeps more detail but produces larger files. Lower quality shrinks files but can introduce artifacts like blockiness or banding.

A simple step-by-step process

Resize the image to the maximum display size.
Set quality to 80 and export.
Compare the compressed image at 100 percent zoom.
Lower quality in small steps until artifacts appear.
Choose the highest quality that keeps the file small enough.

Different images need different quality

Photos with lots of detail usually need higher quality.
Simple backgrounds and gradients can handle lower quality.
Product shots may need extra detail for zoom or inspection.
UI screenshots and text graphics should stay lossless.

When to choose WebP over JPEG

WebP often achieves smaller file sizes at the same visual quality. If your audience uses modern browsers, WebP is a strong default. Keep a JPEG fallback if compatibility is critical.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using low quality on images with text or UI elements.
Compressing images before resizing them.
Saving the same JPEG multiple times.
Testing at zoomed-out sizes only.