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How to compress images for the web

By Sure INSTANT team · Updated on Nov 11, 2026

Heavy images are a common reason a page feels slow. Most of the weight comes from two things: a picture larger than the space it is shown in, and a format that does not suit its content.

This guide covers both: choosing the format and the compression, and the web sizes SmartImage Pack prepares.

Which format suits which image

SmartImage Pack can keep each image's own format or convert the batch to JPEG, PNG or WebP.

FormatSuits
JPEGPhotographs
PNGFlat graphics and transparency
WebPSmaller files for the same look in modern browsers

Quality level or file-size limit

There are two ways to control compression. A quality level applies the same setting to every image, so the file sizes vary from one picture to the next.

A file-size limit in KB works the other way round: for each image the tool searches for the best quality that stays under the limit. The limit needs JPEG or WebP as the output format.

The web sizes SmartImage Pack prepares

A picture saved at the size of its place on the page carries no pixels the visitor will never see.

NameSize in pixels
Full-width header1920×1080
Wide banner1600×600
Card image800×600
Thumbnail400×400
Icon512×512

Never enlarged beyond twice

Enlarging a small picture adds weight without adding detail. For this reason the tool never enlarges an image beyond twice its own size.

When the original is small, start from the largest version of the picture you have.

How to compress a batch with SmartImage Pack

  1. Upload up to 20 images in one go.
  2. Choose the web sizes you need, or type a custom size.
  3. Choose the output format: keep, JPEG, PNG or WebP.
  4. Set a quality level, or a file-size limit in KB with JPEG or WebP.
  5. Sign in to download the ZIP, then open its report to see each file's size and quality.

Do it with these tools

Every tool shows you a free preview before you pay anything.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the file-size limit not work with PNG?

The search works by adjusting the quality level until the file fits, and the tool does this with JPEG and WebP. Choose one of the two when you need a limit.

What does the report in the ZIP tell me?

It lists the size and the quality of each file, so you can see what every image ended up weighing.

Does a bigger batch take more units?

No. One SmartImage Pack run takes 1 unit for the whole batch.