What compression does in Krita

Krita is a painting and drawing program, not a file compression tool. When you compress an image in Krita, you are reducing the file size by lowering the quality or changing how the image is saved — not by creating a compressed archive like a ZIP file. The most direct way is to export your image as a JPEG instead of Krita's native format (which is XCF), because JPEG files are smaller by default.

If you have already painted or drawn something in Krita and need to send it or store it without taking up much space, exporting as JPEG is the fastest route. You can also reduce the image dimensions (make it smaller in pixels) or lower the JPEG quality setting, both of which shrink the file further.

Key Takeaways

  • Exporting as JPEG instead of saving as XCF (Krita's native format) cuts file size dramatically because JPEG compresses the image automatically.
  • The quality slider during JPEG export lets you trade file size for image sharpness — lower numbers mean smaller files but blurrier results.
  • Resizing the image to fewer pixels before export makes the file smaller without changing the quality setting.
  • If you need to keep editing later, save as XCF first, then export as JPEG for sharing or storage.

Export as JPEG to compress automatically

Open your finished image in Krita. Go to File at the top left, then click Export As (not Save As — Save As keeps it in XCF format). A dialog box opens asking where to save the file and what to name it.

At the bottom of the dialog, you will see a dropdown that says the file type. Click it and select JPEG image. Type a name for your file in the text box above, then click Export. A second dialog appears with a quality slider. Leave it at the default (usually 90) for now and click Export again. Krita saves the file as a JPEG, which is already much smaller than the XCF version.

Lower the quality slider to shrink the file more

When the quality dialog appears during JPEG export, you will see a slider labeled Quality with a number next to it, usually between 0 and 100. Higher numbers mean better image quality but larger file sizes. Lower numbers mean smaller files but more visible blurriness and color banding, especially in areas with gradients or soft edges.

For photographs or images with lots of detail, try 75 to 85 — most people do not notice the difference from 90, but the file shrinks noticeably. For images you are posting online or emailing, 70 is usually fine. For artwork with large flat areas of color, you can often go lower (60 to 70) without visible loss. Drag the slider left to lower the number, watch the preview update, and when it looks acceptable, click Export.

Test this on a copy first if you are unsure. Export the same image at quality 90, then at 70, and compare them side by side on your screen. You will see where your own threshold is.

Resize the image to reduce file size without changing quality

Another way to compress is to make the image smaller in pixel dimensions. An image that is 4000 by 3000 pixels takes up more space than the same image at 2000 by 1500 pixels, even at the same quality setting. This is useful if you do not need the original size — for example, if you painted a large canvas for printing but only need a version for the web.

Go to Image at the top menu, then click Scale Image. A dialog opens showing the current width and height in pixels. There is usually a chain link icon between them — if it is connected (linked), changing one dimension automatically scales the other so the image does not stretch. Change the width or height to a smaller number. For web use, 1200 to 1600 pixels wide is usually enough. Click Scale to explore the change, then export as JPEG as described above.

Save as XCF before exporting if you plan to edit later

JPEG is a lossy format, meaning information is thrown away to make the file smaller. Once you export as JPEG, you cannot undo that loss by opening the JPEG and saving it again as XCF. If you think you might want to paint over the image, adjust colors, or change layers later, save the XCF version first.

Go to File, click Save As, and save it with a name like "myimage.xcf". This keeps all your layers and editing information. Then use Export As to create the JPEG for sharing or storage. You now have both versions — the editable XCF and the compressed JPEG.

Other export formats that compress

JPEG is the most common choice because it compresses aggressively and works everywhere. PNG is another option if you need transparency (a see-through background) — it compresses less than JPEG but more than XCF, and it does not lose quality. WebP is newer and compresses even smaller than JPEG while keeping better quality, but not all programs and phones support it yet.

For most situations, JPEG at quality 75 to 85 is the right balance. PNG if you need a transparent background. XCF only if you are saving your work in progress and plan to edit it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much smaller will my file be if I export as JPEG instead of XCF?

It depends on the image, but JPEG files are typically 5 to 20 times smaller than the same image saved as XCF. A 50 MB XCF painting might become 2 to 5 MB as a JPEG. Lowering the quality slider makes it even smaller.

Can I undo the compression if I change my mind?

No. JPEG throws away information to shrink the file, and that information cannot be recovered. If you think you might need to edit the image later, keep the XCF version. Once you export as JPEG, only export from the XCF if you need to make changes.

What quality number should I use for printing?

For printing, use 90 or higher. Printed images show compression artifacts more obviously than screen images because the printer renders every pixel. If the image is for web only, 75 to 80 is usually fine.

Does resizing the image make it look worse?

Resizing to a smaller pixel dimension does not add blur or loss the way lowering JPEG quality does — it just shows less detail because there are fewer pixels. If you resize from 4000 to 2000 pixels, you lose half the detail, but what remains looks sharp. Combine resizing with a moderate quality setting (75 to 80) for the best balance.

Can I compress an image that is already a JPEG?

You can open a JPEG in Krita and export it again at lower quality, but this adds a second round of compression loss. The result will look worse than exporting the original XCF at that quality. Always export from the highest-quality version you have.