Compress image to 20 KB
Get a photo or signature under 20 KB, the limit many exam and job application forms set. Your photo never leaves this device.
- 100% free
- Runs in your browser
- No uploads
- Runs on your deviceEvery tool works directly in your browser. No files are uploaded.
- Your privacy mattersYour files never leave your device, so there's nothing for us to store.
- No limitsUse any tool as much as you need. No daily caps, no waiting.
- Completely freeNo signup and no trial to cancel. Ads keep the tools free.
How to compress an image to 20 KB
- Add your photo. Drop it on the box above, choose it from your device, or paste it.
- Leave the limit on 20 KB. It's already set. Change it in Other size if your form asks for something different.
- Check and download. The gauge shows the new size against the limit. Use Compare to check the quality, then download.
Who needs a 20 KB image
20 KB is one of the strictest limits you'll meet. It shows up on exam registration portals, recruitment forms and some government services, usually for the passport-style photo and the signature scan. At this size a photo can still be clear enough to recognise a face, but only at a small pixel size.
The tool lowers the quality first and, when that isn't enough, reduces the width and height until the file fits. A 4 MB phone photo usually ends up around 300 to 450 pixels wide.
Typical dimensions at 20 KB
Rough pixel sizes that fit under 20 KB while still looking good. Busy, detailed photos come out smaller.
| Image | Fits at about |
|---|---|
| Face photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm style | around 300 × 400 px |
| Signature strip | around 400 × 150 px |
| Square profile thumbnail | around 300 × 300 px |
Tips for a sharper result
Crop away background before compressing. Fewer pixels of wall and more pixels of face means a sharper result at 20 KB. For signatures, sign in dark ink on plain white paper and crop tightly around the signature, since empty paper still costs bytes.
If the form also gives a minimum, such as 10 KB to 20 KB, set the limit to 19 KB in "Other size" so the result lands safely inside the range.
Other sizes
Frequently asked questions
My photo looks blurry at 20 KB. What can I do?
Crop it tighter first so the face fills most of the frame, then compress. You can also set Largest side to 800 px before compressing; starting from a smaller image often gives a cleaner result than shrinking a huge one.
The form needs between 10 KB and 20 KB. Will this work?
Yes. The tool aims just under the limit, so a 20 KB target usually lands between 17 and 19.5 KB. If you need to be sure it stays above a minimum, check the size shown next to each file before downloading.
Can I compress a signature to 20 KB?
Yes, signatures compress very well because they're mostly plain background. Crop around the signature first. Use the Signature resizer if the form also asks for exact pixel dimensions.