Should I Compress or Resize an Image First?
Resize when the image has more pixels than the destination needs; compress when the dimensions are already appropriate but the file is too heavy.
What to do
When both problems exist, resizing first is often the cleaner workflow because you stop encoding pixels you do not need. The simplest next step is to Resize Image. If the issue is actually about compress image, see Compress Image as well.
Why this happens
Image problems often come from three separate variables: pixel dimensions, encoded file size and file format. Changing one does not automatically solve the others. A very large photo may need resizing even when its format is already JPG; a transparent graphic may need PNG or WebP even when the file size is acceptable; and an upload limit may be measured in megabytes rather than pixels.
Before editing, check the requirements of the place where the image will be used. That gives you a concrete target and reduces unnecessary quality loss. When possible, keep the original file and create a delivery copy for the specific destination.
Common questions
Does resizing always make a file smaller?
It often does, but not always by the amount you expect because the output encoder and image content also matter.
Can I compress without resizing?
Yes. If the dimensions are required by the destination, compression is the appropriate first step.
Can I resize after compression?
Yes, but you may be compressing pixels that will later be discarded. That is why resizing first can be more efficient when dimensions are excessive.