Resizing a photo, converting an image, reducing a PDF, or checking a word count should be straightforward. These are small tasks, but finding the right tool can take longer than doing the job itself.
The Tool Project brings free browser tools for these everyday jobs together in one place. Its source code is publicly available, and files and pasted text are processed on your device.
Disclosure: I run The Tool Project. This article introduces five of its tools, explains when they are useful, and covers the limitations to consider before using them.
1. Resize and compress images for blog posts and upload forms
A large image may contain far more pixels than you need for a blog post. Upload forms can also require a particular image size or impose a strict file-size limit.
The image resizer and compressor lets you resize JPG, PNG, and WebP images by pixels, percentage, or centimetres. You can also set a maximum file size in KB.
For example, if you have a photo that is 4,000 pixels wide and need a smaller version for a blog post, you can enter a width of 1,200 pixels and keep the aspect ratio enabled. The height adjusts proportionally, so the photo is not stretched.
- Choose your image or select a batch of images.
- Select the resizing mode and enter your desired size.
- Keep the aspect ratio enabled if you want to preserve the image’s proportions.
- Resize the images and download the results individually or as a ZIP.
The tool supports up to 20 images at once. Its file-size mode saves the result as a JPG and may reduce both quality and dimensions to meet the limit. Transparent areas become white, so use a format that preserves transparency when that matters.
2. Convert WebP images to JPG
WebP is a common image format on websites, but some applications and upload forms still require JPG. Changing the filename from .webp to .jpg does not convert the image; the file needs to be saved in the new format.
The WebP to JPG converter accepts individual WebP images, batches, or a ZIP containing them.
- Choose your WebP files or drop them into the converter.
- Select the image quality.
- Choose a white or black background for transparent areas.
- Convert the images and download the JPG files.
JPG cannot preserve transparency, and converting to JPG introduces some quality loss. An animated WebP becomes a still image using its first frame. This tool is most useful when compatibility with a particular application or form is your main concern.
3. Reduce PDF file size before sharing
A scanned document or an image-heavy PDF can be awkward to email or upload. The PDF compressor lets you choose a compression method and compare the original and resulting file sizes before downloading.
There are two approaches:
- Keep text and links: Optimizes the PDF structure while preserving selectable text, links, and forms. The file size may change only slightly.
- Make it smaller: Rebuilds the pages as images. This can reduce image-heavy PDFs, but removes selectable text, interactive links, forms, and accessibility information.
You can also select a target such as 100KB, 200KB, or 500KB. A target is not guaranteed: a long or complex PDF may need more space to remain readable.
After compression, check the actual file size and inspect the document before submitting it. Avoid modifying a digitally signed PDF if you need its signature to remain valid.
4. Check words, characters, and repeated phrases
Writers often work within limits: a short biography, an application response, a social post, or a description field. The word and character counter updates its counts as you type or paste text.
It shows words, characters with and without spaces, estimated reading time, and frequently used words or phrases. You can also open a .txt or .md file.
For example, paste a draft into the tool and enter your word or character limit to see how much room remains. The repeated-phrase view can help you spot wording that appears too often and decide whether to revise it.
Different websites count words and characters differently. When submitting text to a form with its own counter, use that form’s count as the final reference.
5. Turn JSON data into spreadsheet rows
JSON is useful for applications and APIs, but a spreadsheet can be easier when you want to sort, filter, or compare records.
The JSON to CSV converter turns JSON records into a downloadable CSV file that you can open in Excel or another spreadsheet application.
Here is a small example you can try:
[
{"product": "Keyboard", "price": 1500},
{"product": "Mouse", "price": 700}
]
This creates two data rows with product and price columns.
- Paste the JSON or choose a supported file.
- Select a comma, semicolon, or tab separator.
- Convert the data and check the preview.
- Download the result and open it in your spreadsheet application.
Nested objects become dotted column names, while arrays inside individual records remain JSON text in a cell. Checking the preview helps you understand how your data will appear before importing it elsewhere.
Free to use, with source code you can inspect
The Tool Project is free to use, and its code is available under the MIT License in the GitHub repository. Developers can inspect the implementation, run the project locally, report issues, or contribute improvements.
The tools process files and pasted text in your browser. This means the content you select for conversion is not uploaded for processing. The website does use Google Analytics for usage information, as explained in its privacy policy.
Start with whichever tool solves a task you already have. Check the output, keep your original file, and choose the settings that give you the right balance of size, quality, and functionality.
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