GUIDE
How to choose quality and max edge
Smaller files do not have to look wrecked. Split the decision by format: slider versus max edge.
1. JPEG and WEBP: quality is the main lever
These formats re-encode by quality. Around 80% is fine for most web and chat sharing. Drop to 60–70% only if you need a harder size cut, then spot-check faces, text, and gradients. This tool does not go below about 40%, because that band is already too damaged for most delivery.
At the same quality, WEBP is often smaller than JPEG, but the receiver must open WEBP. Email and some older devices still prefer JPEG. Ask the channel before you unify the format.
2. PNG: think edge length first
PNG in BulkCrunch is a browser canvas re-encode, not TinyPNG-style palette quantization. For UI shots, icons, or transparency, a max edge (for example 1920) usually saves more than the slider. If you want “don’t touch pixels, just strip metadata,” that is Metastrip, not this compressor.
3. What the optional max edge does
Phone originals are often 4000px on a side. Web hero images, shop mains, and chat sends rarely need that. Capping the long edge at 1920 or 2560 often beats quality-only cuts and keeps memory in check. Images already below the cap are not upscaled.
For print, later crops, or a watermark you still want on a large file, skip the cap or use 3840. If the next stop is Stampdrop, decide whether the mark should land on the high-resolution version.
4. Starting points
- Web / social: quality 70–80%, max edge 1920.
- Shop mains: quality 80–90%, max edge 1920–2560, then check text sharpness.
- Slight shrink, keep pixels: no size cap, quality 85–90%.
Watch before/after in the list. If a file barely moves, it may already be small—or it is a PNG and you left the edge unlimited.