There are numerous free tools and programs available for reducing the size of JPG files—both offline and online. Whether you want to edit individual images or compress multiple photos at once, here are the best methods for Windows, macOS, and mobile devices.
Resize JPG Images with Paint (Windows)
The free Windows tool Paint is ideal for simple image resizing:
- Open Paint.
- Click File > Open and select your image.
- Go to Start > Resize.
- Check the box for “Maintain aspect ratio”.
- Now select a percentage-based or pixel-based resize option.
- Save the image using File > Save As to the desired location.
- Tip: Paint 3D (in Windows 10/11) also offers simple cropping and resizing features.
Resize JPGs with IrfanView
With IrfanView you can easily resize many images at once.
- Resize images (batch processing): Launch IrfanView and go to File > Batch Conversion/Rename…. Under “Target Format,” click Options and set the desired image quality using the slider (e.g., 80 % for good compression).
- Now add the images via Add , select a destination folder, and start the process.
- Reduce file size only (without changing image dimensions): In the same menu (Batch Conversion), under “Options,” check the box next to “Set File Size”. Then enter, for example, “300 KB.” IrfanView will then automatically compress the images to the target size.
Reduce image size online – with modern tools
These tools work cross-platform in your browser – ideal for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook.
- TinyPNG: Compresses JPG and PNG with minimal loss of quality, even in batches (up to 20 images at a time).
- JPEG.io: A drag-and-drop tool that automatically compresses images and removes metadata.
- Optimizilla: Features a slider for quality control. Displays a preview of the compressed image.
- Kraken.io: Supports both lossless and lossy compression. Removes metadata such as location or camera settings upon request.
Alternative Programs for Advanced Users
If you work with images regularly or want more control over compression, more powerful image editing programs are a good choice. These tools offer numerous additional features, from batch processing to targeted quality optimization.
- GIMP (free, cross-platform): Open your image, click Image > Resize Image. Select the target size and save via File > Export As… with compression settings.
- Photoshop (paid): Use File > Save for Web. Set the quality and format, and view a live preview of the file size.
- BatchPhoto (Windows & macOS): Specializes in batch processing with many options such as renaming, cropping, and compression.
Remove metadata for better compression
JPGs often contain invisible data such as camera model, GPS data, or editing history. This can amount to several KB. To remove metadata:
- Using Kraken.io or JPEG.io (automatically).
- In Windows: Right-click on the image > Properties > Details > Remove personal information.
Solutions for Mac users and mobile devices
You can also easily reduce the size of JPG files on a Mac, iPhone, or Android device. Many operating systems already come with built-in tools, and there are a variety of helpful apps for on the go—ideal for anyone who wants to compress images directly from their smartphone or tablet.
- macOS (Preview app): Open an image, select Tools > Resize. Then export it at a lower quality via File > Export.
- iPhone/iPad Apps: Image Size, Compress Photos, Photoshop Express
- Android Apps: Photo Compress 2.0, Lit Photo, Reduce Photo Size
