Texturing & materials · Intermediate

Texture compression

Shrinking textures into formats the graphics card can read directly

What is texture compression?

Texture compression is shrinking texture files into special formats that the graphics card can read directly, without unpacking them first. It cuts the video memory each texture takes, so games load faster and fit more detail, at the cost of a small loss in quality.

Think of it like this

It is like vacuum-packing clothes for a trip: they take far less room in the case, and you can still wear them straight out of the bag.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Export: Saving and sharing the result: file formats, engines and printing.

How texture compression works

  1. 01The texture is split into small blocks, often four by four pixels.
  2. 02Each block is stored as a few key colors plus a short code for each pixel.
  3. 03The graphics card decodes any block instantly when it needs those pixels.

Texture compression vs image compression

PropertyTexture compressionImage compression
ExamplesGPU block formatsJPEG, PNG and similar
In memoryStays compressedUnpacked before use
Main goalLess video memorySmaller downloads and storage

Use image formats for downloads and storage; convert to texture compression for anything a game or real-time app keeps in memory.

Where texture compression is used

  • Fitting large game worlds into video memory
  • Faster loading for mobile and web 3D
  • Shipping more textures without lowering their resolution

Beginner tip

Compress normal maps with a format made for them. General color formats blur the direction data and leave blocky lighting on smooth surfaces.

Terms related to texture compression

Texture compression FAQ

Why use texture compression?
Video memory is limited. A compressed texture takes a fraction of the space of an uncompressed one, so more textures fit, they load sooner, and the graphics card reads them faster.
What are the common texture compression formats?
Desktops and consoles mostly use the BC family of block formats, and phones mostly use ASTC or ETC. Game engines usually convert your images to the right one for each platform when you build.
Does texture compression lower quality?
Slightly. Most texture formats lose a little detail, which is hard to see on color maps at normal distance. Smooth gradients, normal maps and text show it most, so they get higher-quality settings.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms