Drop your image
JPG, PNG, WebP or another common format. You can add several at once.
Compress image to 20 KB
Get any photo under 20 KB without guessing: set the limit, drop your image and the tool finds the highest quality that still fits. Nothing is uploaded.
- Free
- No sign-up
- Runs in your browser
Common limits
100% private — your images are processed on your device and are never uploaded to any server.
Works with images up to about 40 MB. On an older phone, very large files may be slow or run the browser out of memory.
Next step
Keep going with your result in another tool. Nothing is uploaded.
How it works
The limit is already set
The maximum size is 20 KB; change it or the output format if you need to.
Download the result
Each image is compressed on your device and downloaded at 20 KB or less.
How to compress an image to 20 KB
To compress an image to 20 KB, drop it on the box above: the limit is already set to 20 KB. The tool tries different quality levels and, if needed, smaller dimensions until the file fits, then gives you the best result under 20 KB. It all happens in your browser, so the image is never uploaded.
What 20 KB means for an image
20 KB is 20,000 bytes. For a typical photograph that is about 400 × 300 pixels at reasonable quality. Small, simple images (logos, signatures, flat graphics) fit in far less, while detailed photos with lots of texture need a lower resolution to reach the same limit.
Where a 20 KB limit is common
Files around 20 KB are typically asked for in tiny avatars, thumbnails, signatures and the strictest form uploads. Portals set limits like this to keep uploads fast, so a result that is at or under the limit is what they accept.
How the tool reaches 20 KB
The tool first lowers the JPEG or WebP quality in small steps, because that costs the least visible detail. If the quality alone cannot get under the limit, it also reduces the image dimensions, and it tells you when a file cannot go below a certain size without ruining the picture. A bytes-per-pixel guide: at 0.5 bits per pixel a 20 KB file holds about 0.3 MP, at 1.0 about 0.2 MP and at 1.5 about 0.1 MP.
What fits in 20 KB (estimate)
| JPEG quality | Pixels that fit | Largest common size |
|---|---|---|
| Low (about 0.5 bits per pixel) | 0.32 MP | 640 × 480 |
| Medium (about 1 bit per pixel) | 0.16 MP | 400 × 300 |
| Good (about 1.5 bits per pixel) | 0.11 MP | 320 × 240 |
| High (about 2.5 bits per pixel) | 0.06 MP | 160 × 120 |
How much has to go
| Typical file | Reduction needed |
|---|---|
| Phone photo, 12 MP (about 3.5 MB) | 99% |
| High-resolution photo, 48 MP (about 12 MB) | 100% |
| Web photo, 2 MP (about 600 KB) | 97% |
| Full HD screenshot as PNG (about 400 KB) | 95% |
When you need 20 KB
A 20 KB limit usually applies to the smallest upload slots: a signature or stamp on an application form, a profile icon in an old intranet system or an avatar on a forum. At this weight a photo is really a thumbnail, so the aim is a small, clean image that is recognisable rather than detailed.
What to give up first at 20 KB
Give up resolution first. A 20 KB image is only about 160,000 bits, so crop tightly to the subject, bring the long side down to 300 or 400 pixels and let subtle colour go. Signatures and line art do best as high-contrast black on white, which compresses to a few kilobytes.
Tips to stay under 20 KB with the best quality
- Crop away empty background before compressing: every pixel you remove is weight you do not have to spend.
- Photograph or scan signatures on white paper with dark ink; the high contrast compresses extremely well.
- If the limit is still not reached, reduce the width to 300 pixels and try again.
- Start from the original, not from an already compressed copy: repeated compression degrades quality faster.
Private by design
The compression runs entirely in your browser. Your image is not uploaded, so documents, ID photos and personal pictures stay on your device, and there is no queue.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compress an image to 20 KB?
Drop the image on the tool at the top of this page. The limit is already set to 20 KB; the tool finds the best quality that fits and lets you download it.
Is 20 KB enough for a readable photo?
Yes for a small, tightly cropped picture, such as a passport-style face at about 300 × 400 pixels. It is not enough for detailed scenes or large photos.
Should I use PNG or JPG at 20 KB?
JPG for photos. PNG only for flat graphics and signatures with few colours, where it can even be smaller than JPG.
Will the result be exactly 20 KB?
It will be 20 KB or less. The tool picks the highest quality that fits under the limit, so the file often lands just below it, but it is not padded to an exact size.
Why can't my image go under 20 KB?
A very large or very detailed image may need to be reduced in dimensions as well as quality. Resize it to a smaller size first, or accept a lower resolution.
Does compressing to 20 KB reduce the resolution?
Only when necessary. The tool lowers quality first and reduces the dimensions only if the quality alone cannot reach the limit.
Is it free and private?
Yes. There is no sign-up or watermark, and the image never leaves your device because the compression runs in your browser.
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