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Tinypng

Reduces the file size of PNG, JPEG, and WebP images using smart lossy compression while aiming to keep visual quality high, a key part of SEO optimisation.

If you have ever used Hotjar to watch users wait for a slow image, you already know that compression alone cannot fix poor sizing or format choice.

Key points

  • Use TinyPNG for PNG, JPEG, and WebP, not just PNG.
  • Always resize images to match display dimensions before compressing; oversized images waste bandwidth even after compression.
  • Check file size before uploading; already optimised images yield little benefit.
  • Integrate TinyPNG into your build pipeline for consistent compression.
  • Pair compression with responsive images and next-gen formats for best speed.

A product page with a 2.4 MB hero PNG

A product page with a 2.4 MB hero PNG was taking 4.2 seconds to load. Running it through TinyPNG reduced it to 480 KB with no visible difference. But the page still scored poorly on LCP because the image was 2400px wide and displayed at 800px. Compression alone saved 1.8 MB, but proper sizing would have saved another 1.2 MB. The final page loaded in 1.8 seconds after both changes.

Three things TinyPNG is not

  • Not a PNG-only tool TinyPNG also compresses JPEG and WebP files, despite its name. Uploading a JPEG gives the same lossy compression treatment, making the name misleading but the tool versatile.
  • Not a substitute for proper sizing Compression reduces file weight, but an oversized image still wastes bandwidth. Always resize to the display dimensions before compressing for maximum efficiency.
  • Not a guarantee of SEO gains Faster images help Core Web Vitals, but compression alone cannot fix render-blocking code, missing lazy loading, or poor server response times.

Four ways it goes wrong

  • Uploading already tiny images If your image is already under 100 KB, TinyPNG may save only a few kilobytes. The effort of uploading and re-downloading may not be worth the marginal gain.
  • Ignoring format support TinyPNG supports WebP and AVIF through the Tinify API, but the web interface may not. Check the format before uploading to avoid unnecessary recompression.
  • Relying on compression alone Compression is one part of image optimisation. Without responsive images, next-gen formats, and lazy loading, page speed improvements will be limited.
  • Forgetting about the API limits The free API allows 500 compressions per month. Exceeding that requires a paid plan, which may surprise teams that automate image processing.

Three situations where TinyPNG changes your decision

  • When building a new site Integrate TinyPNG into your build process via the API or a plugin. Every image gets compressed automatically, saving manual effort and ensuring consistent quality.
  • When auditing page speed Run your largest images through TinyPNG and measure the size reduction. If you save more than 50%, that image is a candidate for further optimisation or format change.
  • When setting up a CMS Install a TinyPNG plugin for WordPress or similar. It compresses images on upload, so you never serve an uncompressed image to visitors.

Common questions

Is TinyPNG safe to use?

Yes, it is safe. TinyPNG uses lossy compression that removes redundant colour data without introducing malware or altering image integrity.

Is TinyPNG free?

The web interface is free for files up to 5 MB. The API offers 500 free compressions per month, then requires a paid plan.

Sources

  1. TinyPNG Chrome Web Store listing Chrome extension details and permissions.
  2. Computer Hope: What is TinyPNG? General explanation of TinyPNG and its uses.
  3. Tinify blog Marketing perspective on TinyPNG benefits.
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