How to reduce an image below 1 MB without ruining quality

A practical order for adjusting resolution and compression quality.

Check the destination requirements first

If the website, employer or authority receiving your file publishes its own dimensions and format requirements, follow those instructions first. Keep the original file and work on a copy.

Recommended workflow

Set the required aspect ratio and pixel dimensions first, then reduce file size at the end. Before downloading, check sharpness and make sure important content was not cropped.