FORMATS
How to compress an image to under 100 KB, 200 KB or 1 MB
Upload forms often set a file size limit. How to make a photo small enough while keeping it readable, and when to resize instead of lowering quality.
· 5 min read
Job applications, visa portals and exam forms often reject images above a size such as 100 KB or 200 KB. Getting under the limit is easy; getting under it while keeping the photo clear takes a little care. Here is how.
Two ways to make a file smaller
- Lower the quality. JPEG, WebP and AVIF discard detail you are unlikely to notice. Between quality 70 and 85 most photos look almost the same at a fraction of the size.
- Reduce the dimensions. Fewer pixels means a smaller file. A 12-megapixel phone photo is far larger than any form needs.
For the best result, reduce the dimensions to what the form actually displays, then use the highest quality that fits.
Compress to a target size with Exifo
- Open Compress and add the image.
- Choose Target size and enter the limit, or pick 100 KB, 200 KB, 500 KB or 1 MB.
- Select Compress all. Exifo searches for the highest quality that fits, and only reduces the dimensions if quality alone is not enough.
- Check the size shown next to the file, then download it.
A rough guide to dimensions
File sizes vary a lot with detail, but for a typical photo saved as JPEG at about quality 75:
| Target | Longest side, roughly |
|---|---|
| 100 KB | 1,000 to 1,400 px |
| 200 KB | 1,400 to 2,000 px |
| 500 KB | 2,000 to 3,000 px |
| 1 MB | 3,000 to 4,000 px |
To set exact dimensions first, use Resize and crop, which also has a 413 × 531 px passport preset.
Tips
- Crop away anything the form does not need; it saves more than lowering quality.
- If the form accepts WebP or AVIF, they reach the same quality at a smaller size than JPEG.
- For scanned documents with text, keep the quality higher and reduce the dimensions instead.
- Compress from the original each time. Compressing an already compressed file loses detail twice.
- Check the form's rules for format and pixel dimensions as well as file size.