---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-make-an-image-smaller-in-preview
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-make-an-image-smaller-in-preview
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Creative and media apps"
question: "How do I make an image file smaller using Preview?"
alt_questions:
  - "reduce image size mac"
  - "compress jpg mac preview"
  - "resize photo mac preview"
  - "adjust size preview"
  - "export lower quality jpeg mac"
  - "shrink png mac"
short_answer: "In Preview use Tools → Adjust Size to cut the pixel dimensions, or File → Export as JPEG/HEIC with a lower Quality setting. Save a copy to keep the original."
tags: ["preview", "images", "compress"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-make-a-video-file-smaller-on-a-mac", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/do-heic-and-hevc-save-space"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I make an image file smaller using Preview?

Open the image in **Preview**, then:

- **Tools → Adjust Size…** to reduce the pixel dimensions (big photos rarely need to be full size for sharing).
- **File → Export…**, choose **JPEG** or **HEIC**, and drag the **Quality** slider lower; the estimated file size updates as you go.

Save under a new name if you want to keep the original. For a batch, select several images in Finder, open them together in Preview, select all thumbnails in the sidebar and use **Adjust Size** once. For video, see [making a video file smaller](https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-make-a-video-file-smaller-on-a-mac).