You can compress JPEG files by reducing their dimensions, which reduces their file size. Here's how:
Steps to Compress JPEG Files
This process focuses on resizing, a common method for JPEG compression:
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Open the JPEG File:
- Double-click the JPEG file. This will typically open the image in your default photo viewer.
- Alternatively, right-click the file and select "Open With" then choose "Photos" or another compatible application.
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Access the Resize Option:
- Look for a menu (often represented by three dots in the top menu).
- You can also right-click directly on the image.
- Select the "Resize image" option from the menu.
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Enter New Dimensions:
- You will see options to change the image's width or height.
- By entering a smaller value for either width or height, you are compressing the file.
- The software usually maintains the aspect ratio, so resizing one dimension automatically adjusts the other proportionally.
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Save the Resized Image:
- Click the "Save" or similar button to save the compressed JPEG to your PC. The resized file will be smaller than the original.
Understanding JPEG Compression
Although resizing is described in the provided reference, it's important to know that JPEGs inherently use a lossy compression technique. This means that when a JPEG is saved, some data is discarded, reducing the file size, although, depending on the amount of compression, this data loss might not be noticeable. When you resize a JPEG, the image is reprocessed and recompressed using the JPEG algorithm which will further compress it, this time with less information (fewer pixels). This is why reducing dimensions results in smaller file sizes.
Additional Tips for JPEG Compression
- Quality Settings: Some applications allow you to adjust the quality of the JPEG, the lower the quality setting, the smaller the file size.
- Batch Resizing: You can resize multiple images simultaneously using photo editing software, which saves considerable time.
