Step by step
- Open the Image Compressor and add your photo.
- Enter a max width. 1000 pixels works for most forms, 600 for very small limits.
- Pick JPG as the format (most forms only accept JPG) and a lower quality level.
- Check the new size shown under the image. Still too big? Lower the width or quality and try again.
- Download the photo and upload it to your form.
Rough sizes to aim for
| Size limit | Try this width | JPG quality |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 KB | 1600 px | 80 |
| Under 200 KB | 1000 px | 75 |
| Under 100 KB | 800 px | 70 |
| Under 50 KB | 600 px | 60 |
| Under 20 KB | 300 to 400 px | 60 |
Check the other rules too
Forms often set pixel dimensions as well as file size. For example the US visa photo upload asks for a square JPG between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 pixels and no more than 240 KB. Crop to the right shape first with the Social Media Cropper or the Batch Image Resizer, then compress. Always read the official rules for your form.
Tips
Reducing width does more than lowering quality. Halving the width roughly quarters the file size.
Plain backgrounds compress much smaller than busy ones.
iPhone HEIC photo? Convert it to JPG first with HEIC to JPG.
Ready to try it?
The Image Compressor is free, needs no sign up, and your files never leave your device.
Open the Image CompressorFrequently asked questions
How do I make a photo under 100 KB?
Resize it to about 800 pixels wide and save it as JPG at quality 70. Check the size and adjust if needed.
Will the photo look worse?
At form sizes the difference is usually hard to see. Very small limits like 20 KB will show some softness.
What is the difference between KB and MB?
1 MB is 1000 KB (or 1024, depending on who you ask). A 3 MB photo is about 3000 KB.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. Everything happens on your device, which matters for ID and passport photos.