- Rebecca Tomasis
- Jun 4
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
You're working on a graphic design project, and suddenly, you're met with an error message that says, "File size too large." Frustrating, right? Whether you're trying to upload images to a website, send a video via email, or share large documents with colleagues, reducing file size is often essential. It ensures faster uploads, saves storage space, and improves the user experience without sacrificing quality.
If you're scratching your head and wondering how to shrink a file without ruining its essence, you're in the right place. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about file sizes, why reducing them matters, and the best methods to compress files effectively.
Learn more about how to edit photos and reduce file sizes effortlessly in our comprehensive guide.
Key factors affecting file size
To fully grasp how to reduce file sizes, we first need to understand the factors that contribute to their size. By keeping these factors in mind, you can make better decisions when creating or processing files. Here's a breakdown of what influences file size for common file types like images, videos, and documents.
Resolution (images and videos)
Higher resolution means more pixels, which translates into larger files. A 4K video will take up significantly more space than a 720p video. Similarly, a high-resolution image (e.g., 300 DPI for print design) will be much larger than a web-optimized image at 72 DPI.
File format
The file format you choose affects the size. For example, a JPEG image is typically smaller than a TIFF file, and an MP4 video is more compressed than AVI.
Compression
Compression reduces a file's size by removing redundant data. Lossy compression (like JPEG or MP3) sacrifices some quality for smaller files, whereas lossless compression (like PNG or FLAC) retains all the original data, but offers less dramatic size reductions.
Content complexity
For videos and images, detailed and complex visuals increase file size. A busy cityscape photograph will likely have a larger file size than a simple white background design.
Why reduce file size?
Before jumping into techniques, it’s important to understand why reducing file size is so critical, particularly for professionals managing large volumes of content.
Faster loading times: For websites, smaller file sizes mean faster loading pages, reducing bounce rates and improving user experience.
Easy sharing: Sending large files via email or cloud platforms often has limits. Compressing the file ensures seamless transfers.
Storage management: Smaller files save valuable hard drive or cloud storage space, especially when dealing with hundreds or thousands of files.
Better performance: Reduced file sizes improve performance across devices and platforms, including apps, websites, and archives.
Compression technique by file type
Image compression
Video compression
Document compression
01. Image Compression
Images often take up significant space, especially high-resolution ones used in digital design or photography. Here’s how to cut their size down while keeping them visually stunning.
Crop: Use the Wixel image cropper to remove unnecessary areas of the image before saving it. There’s no need to save the entire image if only a portion is used.
Resize: If you don’t need print quality, lower the image resolution to 72 DPI for web use. Resize dimensions appropriately, such as reducing an image from 4000px wide to 1200px for a website. You can use tools like the Wixel image resizer to adjust your images easily.
Compress: Use image compression tools to reduce the file size of your images, without significantly affecting their quality. This process involves removing unnecessary data from the image file while maintaining its visual integrity.
Compress your images without losing quality using the Wixel image compressor tools:
02. Video Compression
Videos can take up a lot of storage space, especially high-resolution ones used in video production or filmmaking. Here’s how to reduce their file size while maintaining high visual quality.
Use video codecs: Employing modern codecs, such as H.264 or HEVC (H.265), ensures smaller video files without compromising quality. These widely supported codecs significantly reduce file sizes compared to older formats like AVI or MPEG-2.
Reduce resolution: If the video doesn’t need to be in 4K or HD, downgrade the resolution to 720p or even lower.
Trim unnecessary footage: Remove any sections of the video that aren’t necessary, reducing its runtime and file size. Most editing tools allow non-destructive trimming.
03. Document compression
Documents can quickly consume storage space, especially large files used in professional or collaborative work. Here's why compressing them is essential to save space while preserving their quality and accessibility.
Reduce resolution: Reduce Resolution: One effective way to reduce file size is by decreasing the resolution in images or videos. Most devices capture high-resolution content by default, but it is often unnecessary for documents. By reducing the resolution, you can significantly decrease the file size without losing too much quality.
Use appropriate formats: Choosing the right format for your document can also help reduce its size. For example, PDFs are generally smaller than word processing files, making them a better option when sharing or storing documents. Additionally, using compressed formats such as JPEG or MP4 instead of uncompressed ones like BMP or WAV can also make a significant difference in file size.
Remove unnecessary data: Remove Unnecessary Data: Sometimes, files contain hidden data that is not visible to the user, but adds to their size. This could be redundant information, hidden objects in images and videos, or previous versions of a document. Before sharing or storing a file, it's always a good idea to check for and remove any unnecessary data that could be bloating its size.
Best practices when reducing file size
Reducing file size is not just about shrinking files, but also about maintaining usability and quality. Follow these best practices to ensure success.
Balance quality and size. Always test compression settings to find the sweet spot.
Use the right format for your needs (e.g. MP4 for videos, JPEG for photos).
Keep originals backed up if you need to revert changes.
For web images or videos, always optimize based on user experience.
Discover techniques to level up your editing game and create visuals that wow every time:
How to add a white background to a photo (and why it's essential for design)
How to convert an image into the format you need
How to crop an image with precision for the perfect fit
How to edit AI generated images for a polished, natural look
How to edit images for social media: tips for eye-catching posts
How to edit stock photography to increase photo sales
How to make a transparent background for clean, versatile designs
How to resize an image for any platform without losing quality
How to reduce file size FAQ
Should I use lossy or lossless compression?
It depends. Use lossy compression (JPEG, MP4) when size is a concern, and minor quality loss is acceptable. Use lossless formats (PNG, TIFF) for high-quality preservation.
