Image guide

Reduce Image Size for Email

Large photos can take longer to upload, fill an inbox and exceed an attachment limit. The best fix depends on whether the image is larger in pixel dimensions than necessary, or simply saved at a high file size.

Check the attachment limit

Check the maximum attachment size for your email provider and remember that email encoding can add overhead. If you are sending several images, the total size matters too. Aim for a comfortable margin below the limit rather than reducing the file by only a few bytes.

Resize before compressing

If a photo is several thousand pixels wide but will only be viewed in an email, smaller dimensions may be sufficient. Keep the original and make a copy at dimensions appropriate for the recipient's needs. Do not reduce the resolution of evidence, receipts or documents if small details must remain readable.

Compress and inspect the result

1. Open Alyvero's Resize Image tool if the dimensions are unnecessarily large.
2. Use Compress Image to reduce the file size.
3. Compare the original and output sizes.
4. Open the result and inspect faces, text, edges and other important details.

Choose the format carefully

JPG is commonly suitable for photographs, while PNG is useful for graphics or transparency but can produce larger files. WebP can be efficient, although the recipient's workflow may not accept it. When compatibility matters most, confirm the required format before sending.

Keep the original image until the recipient has received the attachment and you know the smaller version is acceptable.