Guide
How to make photos smaller for email (without losing quality)
Email bouncing because the photos are too big? Here is how to shrink photos on iPhone, Mac, Windows or in the browser — and the settings that keep them sharp.
Updated 4 October 2026 2 min read
A modern phone photo weighs 3–5 MB. Attach eight of them and the email is over the limit — Gmail allows about 25 MB, Outlook.com about 20 MB — or takes forever to send. The fix isn't heavier compression, it's the right size: a photo 4,000 pixels wide is far more than any screen shows.
On an iPhone
When you send photos with the Mail app and the message is large, Mail asks which size to use: choose Medium or Large. Large is plenty for viewing on a computer.
On a Mac
- In Mail, the Image Size menu in the message window shrinks attached photos.
- In Preview, choose Tools → Adjust Size… and set the width to around 2,000 pixels.
On Windows
Open the photo in the Photos app, open the … menu and choose Resize image. It works one photo at a time.
Many photos at once, in the browser
Two steps make a huge difference. First resize to about 2,000 pixels on the long side, then compress to JPG at around 80% quality — visually identical and usually several times smaller. Both work on dozens of photos at once, and the photos stay on your computer.
Quick reference
| Use | Long side | JPG quality |
|---|---|---|
| Email, messaging | 1,600–2,000 px | 75–80% |
| Website, online form | 1,200–1,600 px | 70–80% |
| Printing | Keep the original | 90%+ |
Frequently asked questions
What is the attachment limit for Gmail and Outlook?
Gmail allows about 25 MB per email and Outlook.com about 20 MB, including all attachments. Beyond that, both offer to share a cloud link instead.
What size should a photo be for email?
About 1,600–2,000 pixels on the long side looks sharp on any screen. Saved as JPG at 80% quality, that is typically a few hundred kilobytes.
Will the person still be able to print the photo?
Up to about postcard size, yes. For large prints, send the original through a file-sharing link instead.