Getting under 20 KB
At a small passport-style size such as 276 × 354 pixels, a JPEG can usually fit in 20 KB. Larger dimensions or very detailed pictures may not, because JPEG quality can only drop so far before the image looks blocky.
If the tool reports that the smallest possible size is above 20 KB, reduce the pixels with the suggested button, or crop tighter around your face so fewer pixels are needed.
KB, pixels and DPI explained
- Pixels are the width and height of the picture. More pixels means more detail and a bigger file.
- KB is the size of the file on disk. At a fixed pixel size it depends mostly on JPEG quality and how busy the picture is.
- DPI only converts centimetres to pixels. A 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo at 200 DPI is about 276 × 354 pixels. The file itself does not change with DPI.
When a form asks for centimetres, pick cm or mm above and set the DPI the form mentions. If it does not mention one, 200 DPI is a common choice, but check the notice.
Tips for a good photo
- Use even light from the front, with a plain, light background and no shadows on your face.
- Look straight at the camera with your head and shoulders centred, then crop so the face fills most of the frame.
- Crop first, then let the tool pick quality. A tight crop keeps more detail at a small KB limit.
- If the result is over your limit, reduce the pixel size a little instead of lowering quality further.
Questions
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. The image is processed in your browser and the page blocks network requests, so it never leaves your device.
Does it remove EXIF and GPS data?
Yes. The output is re-encoded from pixels, so camera details and location data from the original are not included.
How does it reach 20 KB?
It sets the exact pixel size, then searches JPEG quality for the highest value that stays under your maximum. If the file ends up below your minimum, it adds invisible comment bytes to the JPEG so the size reaches it.
What if the file is still too big?
Lower the pixel dimensions, crop tighter, or raise the maximum if your form allows it. The tool shows the smallest size it could reach and suggests smaller dimensions.