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compress PNG online

Compress PNG online: reduce file size without compromising transparency

PNG uses lossless compression (deflate), meaning no pixel information is discarded. This is why PNG files tend to be larger than JPEG for photographs. The most effective way to "compress" a PNG without losing transparency is to convert it to WebP — which supports alpha channel and is 25–40% smaller. Alternatively, exporting as PNG with this tool still applies metadata removal and optimizes the palette when possible.

When converting PNG to WebP is the right decision

  • WebP supports transparency (alpha channel) just like PNG, but with significantly more efficient lossy or lossless compression. For icons, logos and illustrations with transparent backgrounds, WebP at 90% quality often produces files 30–50% smaller than the equivalent PNG.
  • WebP's limitation is compatibility with older software. Email clients, Adobe Acrobat and some legacy content management systems may not recognize WebP files. For modern web use, all current browsers have supported WebP natively since 2020.
  • For screenshots and images with text, PNG is often mandatory: the lossless algorithm preserves sharp edges and readable text that JPEG or lossy WebP can degrade with block artifacts.

PNG vs WebP: size comparison

Logo with transparency

Input
PNG original: 185 KB
Expected output
WebP 90%: ~95 KB (−49%)

WebP preserves the alpha channel and halves the file size.

Screenshot with text

Input
PNG original: 420 KB
Expected output
PNG re-exportado: ~380 KB (−10%)

PNG-to-PNG removes EXIF and unnecessary palettes — modest but expected reduction.

UI icon (48×48 px)

Input
PNG original: 8 KB
Expected output
WebP 90%: ~3 KB (−63%)

Small icons with transparency benefit greatly from WebP.

Full tool FAQ

It depends on the compression level and format. Lossy formats like JPEG and WebP discard color information imperceptible to the human eye. At 75–90% quality, the difference is rarely visible — but aggressive compression below 60% introduces visible artifacts, especially on edges and gradient areas.

Frequently asked questions

Can I compress PNG without losing the transparency?

Yes. Keeping the output format as PNG or WebP preserves the alpha channel completely. If you convert to JPEG, transparency is filled with white — but the tool warns you about this before download.

Why is compressed PNG still larger than JPEG?

Because PNG is lossless — it stores each pixel precisely. JPEG discards data intelligently. For photographs with smooth gradients, JPEG wins on compression. PNG wins on text sharpness, transparency and images with large solid color areas.