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How to Compress an Image (Even to an Exact KB Size)
'File too large' is the most annoying sentence on the internet — especially when a form demands a photo 'under 200KB' and your phone gives you 4MB. Image compression re-encodes the picture smaller. This guide covers both normal compression (best balance of size and quality) and target-size compression, where the tool aims at the exact KB limit your form requires.
Step by step
- Open the Image Compressor and add your JPG or PNG image.
- For a target size, type it in KB (for example 200) — or leave it empty for standard quality compression.
- Compress and check the before/after sizes shown.
- Download the compressed image and upload it to your form.
Try it now — free, no sign-up
Open the Image Compressor tool
Open the Image Compressor tool
Tips for better results
- Aim a little under the limit (190KB for a 200KB rule) so the form's rounding never rejects you.
- If the result looks soft, the target was aggressive for that photo — a slightly larger target keeps faces and text crisper.
- For websites, compress product photos to under ~200KB each: pages load faster and rank better.
Frequently asked questions
How does target-size compression work?
The tool re-encodes the image at progressively lower quality (and, if needed, smaller dimensions) until the file lands at or under your KB target.
What is the best quality-size balance without a target?
Around quality 80 for JPG: typically 60-80% smaller than a camera original with no visible difference on screen.
Are my images uploaded to compress them?
No — everything runs in your browser. Your photos never leave your device.