How to compress an image to a specific size
- 1. Select your image. Click the box above or drag a file onto it. The original file size appears immediately.
- 2. Choose a target. Pick one of the presets or type any value in KB. Forms in India usually ask for something between 20 KB and 200 KB.
- 3. Press compress. The tool tests different quality levels until the file lands just under your target.
- 4. Download. Check the before and after sizes, then save the compressed copy. Your original file is left untouched.
Which target size should you choose
Different portals ask for different limits, so always read the upload instructions on the form first. These are the values people need most often.
| Target | Commonly used for |
|---|---|
| 20 KB | Passport photo and signature uploads on exam portals |
| 50 KB | Profile pictures and most scholarship or admission forms |
| 100 KB | Scanned documents and ID proofs |
| 200 KB | Marksheets and multi page scans |
| 500 KB | Product photos for listings and email attachments |
How the compression works
JPG and WebP use lossy compression, which means a quality setting controls how much detail is thrown away. This tool runs a binary search across that quality range, encoding the image and measuring the result each time, so it converges on the highest quality that still fits your target instead of guessing a fixed number.
PNG is lossless, so quality settings have no effect on it. For PNG files the tool scales the dimensions down instead, again searching for the largest size that fits the target. If you mainly want a smaller file and do not need transparency, converting the image to JPG usually gives a much better result.
Why compress in the browser
Most online compressors upload your file to their server, process it there and send it back. That means your photo, which may be an ID card or a personal document, sits on someone else's machine. This tool uses the canvas API built into every modern browser, so the file is read from your device, processed in memory and discarded when you close the tab.
It also means there is no queue, no file size cap set by a server and no daily limit. The only constraint is your own device, so a very large image may take a few seconds on an older phone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compress an image to exactly 20 KB?
Upload your photo, select the 20 KB preset and press compress. The tool repeatedly lowers quality and checks the file size until the result sits just below 20 KB, then gives you a download link.
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. The compression runs entirely in your browser using the HTML canvas API. Your file is read from your device, processed in memory and never sent over the internet.
Which formats are supported?
JPG, JPEG, PNG and WebP are supported. JPG and WebP files stay in their own format, while PNG images are resized instead of quality reduced because PNG uses lossless compression.
Why does my photo look blurry after compression?
A very small target on a large photo forces heavy compression. Try a slightly higher target such as 50 KB, or crop unnecessary background first so fewer pixels have to be stored.
Is there a limit on file size or number of images?
There is no daily limit and no account is needed. Very large files above roughly 25 MP may be slow on older phones because all the work happens on your own device.
Does compressing reduce image dimensions?
Usually no. The tool first tries to hit your target by lowering quality only. Dimensions are scaled down only when quality alone cannot reach a very small target.