Compress an Image to a Specific Size in KB
Enter the maximum file size the website asks for (20 KB, 200 KB, 1 MB…): the tool automatically finds the best setting to land your photo just under it, without losing more quality than needed. Several photos at once, iPhone HEIC supported.
- Free
- Guaranteed under the limit
- iPhone photos (HEIC)
- 100% private
100% private — Everything is processed directly in your browser: your files, voice, and image are never sent to Chatzam's servers.
How do I compress a photo to under 200 KB?
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Choose the maximum size
Tap the limit the form gives (for example 200 KB) or enter another value. If needed, also set the required format and dimensions.
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Add your photos
Drag in one or more images (JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC). Each is shrunk automatically to the best balance between quality and dimensions.
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Check and download
Compare before and after, check the exact size in bytes, then download each photo or all of them as a ZIP file.
Built for online forms
Always under the limit
The size is checked down to the byte after each attempt, counting 1 KB = 1,000 bytes: the photo also passes on sites that count 1,024 bytes.
The best possible quality
The highest JPG quality that fits the limit is found by trial and error; dimensions are only reduced if the quality would otherwise drop too low.
Required dimensions and format
Minimum or maximum width and height in pixels, and output as JPG, PNG or WebP, depending on what the site asks for.
Phone photos
iPhone HEIC photos are converted, and the photo's orientation is respected: a portrait stays a portrait.
Compress a photo for an online application
Many online applications cap the size of attachments: photos and supporting documents for a passport or visa application, college and scholarship applications, job portals, government benefit forms or an ID upload for a new account. A photo taken with a recent phone often weighs 2 to 5 MB, far above the 200 KB or 1 MB that sites often allow. Instead of lowering the quality at random, enter the exact limit: the tool finds the setting that gets as close to it as possible from below. Also check the site's other rules (dimensions, format, framing), because file size is only one of the requirements.
Why 1 KB = 1,000 bytes?
Depending on the site, a kilobyte is 1,000 or 1,024 bytes. A 204,000-byte photo is therefore 204 KB to some and 199.2 KB to others. To make sure it's never rejected, the tool aims for the strictest definition: with a 200 KB limit, the file it creates is at most 200,000 bytes, which also fits a limit of 200 × 1,024 = 204,800 bytes. The exact size in bytes is shown under each photo, so you can compare it with the value shown by your computer or the form. The 2.4% margin makes no visible difference to the quality.
Quality or dimensions: how the trade-off works
The size of a JPG photo depends on two levers: the compression level (quality) and the number of pixels. The tool starts by keeping the full dimensions and uses a binary search to find the highest quality that fits under the limit. If that quality drops too low, blocky artifacts become visible; it's then better to shrink the width and height a little to keep the image sharp. For a very low limit such as 20 or 50 KB, the photo is therefore often brought down to a few hundred pixels wide, which still looks fine on screen. On the other hand, a photo that's already under the limit isn't degraded for no reason: it keeps its maximum quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are my photos uploaded to a server?
No. Compression happens entirely in your browser. Your photos and documents never leave your device, which matters for an ID card, a driver's license or a tax document.
The site rejects my photo even though it's under 200 KB. Why?
File size is often just one of the rules: the site may also require minimum dimensions, a specific format (usually JPG) or particular framing. Enter the requested dimensions under "Required dimensions" and check the form's instructions. The tool can't guarantee that a specific site will accept the file.
How do I compress a photo to under 50 KB?
Tap "50 KB," then add the photo. To reach such a small size, the image will usually be resized; if the site requires a minimum size in pixels, enter it so the tool lowers the quality instead.
Why is a PNG still larger?
PNG is a lossless format: the only way to make it smaller is to reduce its dimensions, which can make the image small. For a photo, choose JPG; keep PNG for a logo, a screenshot or when the site requires it.
Can I compress photos from my iPhone?
Yes, HEIC files are accepted and converted to JPG (or PNG, WebP). The photo's orientation is kept, and hidden information such as the GPS location isn't copied into the compressed file.