Compress an Image for Email
Reduce image file size before attaching photos to email while keeping a practical balance between quality and file size.
Email is a useful case for image compression because the same photo can often be made dramatically smaller without changing its purpose. Resize overly large dimensions first, then choose a sensible quality level.
Recommended workflow
- Step 1
Choose the photo
Select the original image you want to attach.
- Step 2
Reduce unnecessary dimensions
If the photo is much larger than the size people need to view, use the resizer before compression.
- Step 3
Download the optimized copy
Compress the image and attach the new file, keeping the original separately for future use.
Frequently asked questions
How small should an image be for email?
It depends on the mail service, number of attachments and what the recipient needs to see. If there is no strict limit, choose a practical size that keeps the photo clear without sending an unnecessarily huge original.
Is resizing better than heavy compression for email?
Often. If the original photo is much larger than the size it will be viewed at, reducing its dimensions first can preserve better visual quality than aggressively compressing a very large photo.