Quick answer
Open Compress Image to KB, choose your photo, pick 50 KB, 100 KB or 200 KB, and press Compress image. The tool keeps working until the finished file is under the size you picked. Then download it.
Step by step
- Open Compress Image to KB in your browser. It works on iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows.
- Tap the box and choose a JPG, PNG or WebP photo from your device.
- Pick a preset (50 KB, 100 KB or 200 KB), or type your own number in the box.
- Keep "Reduce dimensions if needed" turned on unless your form asks for the original width and height.
- Press Compress image and look at the preview.
- When the result shows it is under your limit, press Download image.
How close to the limit will the file be?
The tool lowers the quality in small steps and, if you allow it, reduces the pixel size a little. After each try it measures the real file in bytes. In our own tests the result landed just under the target, usually within about 1 KB, so a file set for 100 KB finishes a little below it. You can only download a file that is under the size you chose.
We count 1 KB as 1,000 bytes. A file that is under 100 KB here is therefore also under 100 KB on forms that count 1 KB as 1,024 bytes.
Which size should you pick?
| Size | Common use |
|---|---|
| Under 50 KB | Small passport size photos, signature images and profile pictures on exam and government forms |
| Under 100 KB | Photo and ID uploads on job portals, college applications and KYC forms |
| Under 200 KB | ID card scans, certificates and mark sheets saved as images, and email attachments |
Limits differ from site to site, so always follow the number your form shows.
Which format should you choose?
- JPEG gives the smallest files for photos and is accepted almost everywhere. Choose it first.
- WebP is smaller still, but a few older forms do not accept it.
- PNG is lossless, so the tool cannot lower its quality. To reach a small size it has to reduce the pixel dimensions. For photos, JPEG is the better choice.
Keep the image looking good
- Crop away empty background first. Fewer pixels means a smaller file without hurting the part that matters.
- Start from the original photo, not a screenshot or a copy that was already compressed several times.
- Do not aim far below what the form needs. A 200 KB result keeps small text on ID cards sharper than a 50 KB one.
- If the form needs fixed dimensions, such as 200 by 230 pixels, turn on custom dimensions before you compress.
If you see "Target not reached"
This message means the image cannot fit the size you chose with the current settings. Try one of these:
- Raise the target a little, for example from 50 KB to 100 KB.
- Turn on "Reduce dimensions if needed".
- Switch the output format from PNG to JPEG.
- Crop the image so it has fewer pixels.
Is it private?
Yes. Your image is processed in your browser, nothing is uploaded, and we do not save your files. Your original photo stays unchanged on your device.
Common questions
Can I compress an image to under 20 KB?
You can type any target from 5 KB upward. Very small targets work best with JPEG and smaller dimensions.
Does compressing reduce the resolution?
Only if "Reduce dimensions if needed" is on and the tool needs it to reach your target. Otherwise it lowers quality, not size in pixels.
Can I compress a PDF the same way?
This tool is for images. For PDF files, use Compress PDF. It can keep text selectable or compress scanned pages more strongly.