How to Reduce an Image to 100KB, 50KB or 20KB
Online forms, visa and passport applications, and job portals often demand a photo under a strict size like 100 KB, 50 KB or even 20 KB. Here's how to hit a target file size without ruining the image.
The three levers
File size is controlled by three things — pull them in this order:
- Dimensions — the biggest factor. A 4000 px photo has 16× the pixels of a 1000 px one. Resize to the required pixel size first (forms often specify, e.g. 600×600).
- Quality — lowering JPEG/WebP quality to 60–75% cuts size sharply with little visible loss.
- Format — JPEG or WebP for photos; avoid PNG for photos (it's much larger).
Hitting a specific KB target
- Under 100 KB: resize to ~1000 px on the long side, JPEG quality ~75%.
- Under 50 KB: ~800 px, quality ~65%.
- Under 20 KB: ~500–600 px, quality ~55–60%.
Use the live before/after size readout to nudge quality until you're just under the limit.
Do it privately
Passport and ID photos are sensitive — you shouldn't upload them to random sites. Our image compressor runs entirely in your browser, so the photo never leaves your device. Set a max width, pick JPEG, drop the quality, and watch the size hit your target.
Tips for ID/passport photos
- Check the required dimensions and size before you start — both usually matter.
- Keep quality high enough that the face stays clear; go just under the limit, not far below.
- Strip metadata to remove location data before submitting.
FAQ
How do I get a photo under 20KB?
Resize to ~500–600 px and lower JPEG quality to around 55–60%. Check the live size and adjust.
Will it still look acceptable?
For small on-screen form photos, yes — the dimensions are small, so moderate compression is invisible.