Reduce a photo's file size for a passport or visa form upload
Many application forms ask for a photo below a stated file size, often in kilobytes. This page sets a starting target of 200 KB as JPEG; change the number to match the figure on your form. It only reduces file size: it does not crop to a passport frame, set a background or check any official photo rules, so use the form's own requirements for those.
Runs in your browser
Free, no sign-up. Decoding, resizing and re-encoding happen in your browser on a canvas. The images are not uploaded; the tool only records anonymous actions such as 'compress' or 'download', never file names or sizes.
Drop images or click to upload
JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP • Max 50 MB per file • Up to 20 files
Every file is scanned for security threats before processing
No images yet
Upload images above to start compressing
Target file size
The tool picks the highest quality that fits, and only shrinks the pixel size if the lowest quality is still too big. The Quality slider is not used.
Security Layers
How to use the Image Compressor
- Read the form's instructions and note the maximum file size, the accepted format and any required dimensions.
- Drop your photo onto the upload area and set the Target file size to the form's limit, or pick the closest shortcut.
- Press Compress and read the byte size on the file card. Leave a small margin under the limit.
- If the form needs exact pixel dimensions or a particular crop, set them in a photo editor first, then compress here.
- Download the result and upload it to the form.
Worked example
Sample data
A generated 3000 x 2000 test photo (JPEG, 2,386,343 bytes), target 200 KB.
197,726 bytes (under the 200 KB target), 2388 x 1592 px JPEG.
Measured on a generated test image, not a real passport photo. Whether any result is accepted depends on the form's own rules.
Good to know
Photos for official documents often have strict rules about size in pixels, framing, expression and background. This tool changes only the file size and, if needed, scales the picture down, which can break a required pixel size. Check the result against the form before submitting.
Your photo is a personal image. Compression runs in your browser and the file is not uploaded here.
How it works
How the compression works
The browser decodes each image onto a canvas at the target size and encodes it again in the format you chose. Smaller pixel dimensions and a lower quality value both reduce the file size; resizing usually saves far more than quality alone.
Quality applies to JPEG and WebP output. PNG is lossless, so the quality slider does not change a PNG: to shrink a PNG, reduce its dimensions or switch the output to WebP or JPEG.
saved % = (original size - compressed size) / original size x 100
Choosing a format
JPEG suits photographs. WebP is usually smaller than JPEG at similar quality and supports transparency, but very old software may not open it. PNG suits screenshots, logos and anything that needs exact pixels or transparency.
Because the image is redrawn on a canvas, transparent areas become black if you save as JPEG, which has no transparency. Pick PNG or WebP to keep transparency.
What gets removed
Re-encoding keeps only pixel data. Camera EXIF data such as GPS location, device model and timestamps is not carried over, which is useful before publishing a photo but means you cannot recover it from the compressed copy.
Animated GIFs lose their animation: only the first frame is processed. SVG files are rejected on purpose because they can contain scripts.
When the result is bigger
The tool does not keep the original when the new file is larger. An already well-optimised JPEG saved at 100% quality, or a WebP converted to PNG, can grow. If Saved shows no gain, lower the quality, reduce the dimensions or keep your original.
Inputs, outputs and limits
Inputs
- JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF or BMP images (TIFF is accepted but depends on your browser being able to open it)
- Quality 1-100% (default 80%)
- Output format: JPEG, PNG or WebP
- Optional maximum width and height in pixels, with Maintain aspect ratio on or off
Outputs
- One compressed image per input, in the chosen format
- Original size, compressed size and percentage saved for each file
- Download for a single file or all files at once
Limits
- Up to 20 files per batch and 50 MB per file.
- Images larger than 16,384 x 16,384 pixels are rejected.
- Quality has no effect on PNG output.
- Animated GIFs become a single still image; SVG is not accepted.
- Very large batches depend on your device's memory, since every image is decoded in the browser.
Processing
- Decoding, resizing and re-encoding happen in your browser on a canvas. The images are not uploaded; the tool only records anonymous actions such as 'compress' or 'download', never file names or sizes.
Frequently asked questions
What file size does my form need?
It varies by country and by form, so use the number printed on the form or its help page. This page does not know any official limit.
Will it keep the pixel dimensions the form requires?
Not guaranteed. To meet a size target the tool may scale the picture down, and it reports the final dimensions. If your form fixes the pixels, reduce quality only by choosing a larger target.
Does this make the photo compliant?
No. It only changes the file size. Framing, background and lighting rules are yours to check.
Is my photo sent anywhere?
No. It is processed locally in your browser tab.
More ways to use the Image Compressor
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