Compress Images for WhatsApp
WhatsApp compresses every photo you send — automatically and aggressively. The result is often a blurry, artifact-filled image. Pre-compressing with the right settings gives you control over quality before WhatsApp gets involved.
Recommended Settings for WhatsApp
Format
JPG
WhatsApp compresses PNG to JPG anyway
Quality
80—85%
Visually lossless for mobile screens
Target size
Under 300KB
Fast to send, looks sharp on mobile
The Trick: Send as Document to Avoid Compression
WhatsApp only compresses images sent as photos. If you need to share a high-quality image without any compression, send it as a Document instead:
- 1Open the WhatsApp chat.
- 2Tap the attachment (paperclip) icon.
- 3Select Document (not Gallery or Photos).
- 4Browse to your image file and select it.
- 5Send — WhatsApp treats it as a file attachment and does not compress it.
The recipient sees a document icon and can download the original file. Works for JPG, PNG, WebP, and any image format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WhatsApp's image file size limit?
WhatsApp allows images up to 16MB per file. However, WhatsApp automatically compresses images above roughly 100—200KB before sending. If you pre-compress to under 300KB at 80—85% quality, your image quality is typically better than what WhatsApp would produce automatically.
Does WhatsApp compress images automatically?
Yes. WhatsApp applies its own compression to every image sent as a photo (not as a document). Pre-compressing gives you control over the output quality and avoids WhatsApp's aggressive compression artifacts.
How do I send a WhatsApp image without compression?
Send the image as a Document instead of a photo. In WhatsApp: tap the attachment icon → Document → select your image file. This bypasses WhatsApp's photo compression entirely. The recipient receives the original file.
What is the best image size for WhatsApp?
For sending as a photo: 1280×720px or 1600×900px at 80% JPG quality produces files around 150—300KB. These are small enough to send quickly but large enough to look sharp on a mobile screen.
Is my image uploaded anywhere?
No. The image compressor runs entirely in your browser. Your images are never sent to any server.