JPEG vs PNG for WordPress Media Library

Updated August 8, 2026 · 9 min read

Choosing the wrong format can make a file five times larger than it needs to be. WordPress generates several thumbnails from every upload, so a heavy original multiplies into many heavy files on your server.

Recommended settings for WordPress media library

SettingStarting point
FormatJPEG (WebP where accepted)
Widthabout 1600 px on the long edge
Quality78
File size200 KB or less

These are practical defaults. If the platform or form you are using publishes its own limits, follow those instead.

JPEG vs PNG

JPEG is built for photographs with smooth gradients and noise. PNG is built for flat colours, sharp text and transparency. Saving a photo as PNG usually produces a much bigger file with no visible benefit.

For WordPress media library, use JPEG for photos and PNG only for logos, screenshots with lots of text, or images that need a transparent background. You can convert a PNG photo to JPEG here and often cut its size dramatically.

Step by step with TheCompressJPEG

  1. Open the compress JPEG to 200 KB tool, or the main compressor for custom settings.
  2. Drop in your image. Nothing is uploaded; it is processed in your browser.
  3. Set the maximum width to 1600 and the target size to 200 KB.
  4. Press Compress, check the result and download it.
Ready to try it? Compress your JPEG to 200 KB now. It's free and private.

Quick tips

  • Use WebP where it is supported and you control the page.
  • Never re-compress an already compressed JPEG if you can avoid it.
  • Strip metadata from images you share publicly.
  • Always keep the original file and compress a copy.

FAQ

What JPEG quality should I use for e-learning courses?

Quality around 78 keeps photos looking natural while cutting file size substantially.

Will compressing reduce image quality for e-learning courses?

Some detail is removed, but at sensible settings the difference is not visible at normal viewing size.

How do I compress many images for e-learning courses at once?

Drop all of them into the tool together and use Download all to get a single ZIP.

Wrapping up

For WordPress media library, the reliable recipe is simple: resize to around 1600 pixels, compress at quality 78 or to a 200 KB target, and check the result before you upload. Keep the original so you can always start again.

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