How to Convert PNG to Smaller File Size – 3 Methods

PNG files are large by design. If you have a PNG that's too big for your use case, you have three options to make it smaller. This guide covers all three, from most to least effective.

Method 1: Convert PNG to WebP (most effective, recommended)

WebP is the modern image format that replaces both PNG and JPG for most web use cases. Converting a PNG to WebP:

• Supports transparency (alpha channel) — same capability as PNG
• 25–50% smaller than equivalent PNG for photographs
• 20–34% smaller for graphics and logos
• Supported by all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari 14+, Edge)

Best for: any PNG that will be used on the web and doesn't need to be sent to older systems.

Method 2: Convert PNG to JPG (most effective for photographs without transparency)

If the PNG is a photograph without a transparent background, JPG produces files 80–95% smaller:

• PNG photo (1200 × 800 px): ~1.5–3 MB
• Same image as JPG quality 80: ~150–300 KB (5–15× smaller)

Important: JPG removes transparency. If your PNG has a transparent background and you convert to JPG, the transparent areas become white.

Best for: photographs on solid white or colored backgrounds that don't need transparency.

Method 3: Resize PNG dimensions

If the PNG is larger than it needs to be (e.g., a 2000 × 2000 px logo that's only displayed at 200 × 200 px), resizing eliminates the excess pixels:

• 2000 × 2000 PNG resized to 200 × 200 PNG: typically 100× smaller
• No format change needed — the output is still PNG
• Transparency is preserved

Best for: PNGs with transparency that can't be converted to JPG/WebP, but are oversized for their intended use.

Which method to choose?

• PNG has transparency AND will be used on web → Convert to WebP
• PNG is a photo without transparency → Convert to JPG
• PNG has transparency but can't change format → Resize dimensions only
• PNG will be used in systems that don't support WebP/JPG → Resize PNG only

How to convert PNG to smaller with Resizo

1. Open Resizo in your browser — free, no account.
2. Drop your PNG file.
3. Optionally resize: enter target dimensions if the image is too large.
4. Select the output format: WebP (recommended), JPG (for photos), or PNG (to keep format).
5. Download the smaller file.