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How to Compress WordPress Images for Faster Site Speed in 2026

2026-02-01

Compress WordPress images for faster loading and better Google ranking. Practical guide for site owners.

How Image Size Affects Site Speed

Large images slow down your site and hurt Google rankings. Sites need fast loading, especially for mobile users on variable connections.

Target File Sizes for WordPress Images

Hero/banner images: under 200 KB. Thumbnails: under 50 KB. Product images: 100–150 KB.

Steps to Compress Images Before Upload

Use Pngtm.com to compress images before uploading to WordPress. Choose 80–85% quality for photos. Save the compressed version and upload it instead of the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal image size for WordPress?
Banner images under 200KB, thumbnails under 50KB.
Does compression reduce image quality?
At 80–85% quality the difference is barely noticeable to the eye while saving significant file size.
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