### Images Account for 60%+ of Web Page Weight
Unoptimized images are the single biggest cause of slow websites and failing Google Core Web Vitals scores. A single 4MB JPEG uploaded by an editor can destroy your mobile page experience.
Here is how to optimize images systematically for maximum performance.
—
### 1. Adopt Next-Gen Formats: WebP & AVIF
– **WebP**: 25% to 35% smaller than JPEG at equivalent visual quality. Supported by 97%+ of all browsers worldwide.
– **AVIF**: Even higher compression efficiency for high-contrast graphics and photos.
*Tip: Use the free [Browser Image Compressor](/tools/image-compressor) to convert and compress your images directly in your browser without uploading to any server.*
—
### 2. Preload Above-the-Fold Hero Images
Never lazy-load your hero image. Instead, preload it or assign `fetchpriority=”high”`:
“`html
“`
—
### 3. Native Lazy Loading for Below-the-Fold Assets
For all images below the initial viewport, use native browser lazy loading: `loading=”lazy”`. This saves significant mobile bandwidth for your users.