Compress JPEG to 20 KB

Compress a JPEG to 20 KB without uploading it.

or drop an image anywhere on this page

JPEG only (.jpg, .jpeg) · up to 50 MB

Files never leave your device
Free, no sign-up
No watermark

How to use this tool

Choose a JPEG file, or drag it onto the drop area. Only .jpg and .jpeg files are accepted on this page.
Check the target size (currently 20 KB). It is editable, so change the number or the KB/MB unit if your limit differs.
Press the button. The tool lowers the quality first, then reduces the dimensions step by step if the file is still too large.
Compare the preview and the measured output size with the original, and read any notes or warnings.
Download the new file. If it missed the target, adjust the target slightly or crop the original, and try again.

What to know before you compress JPEG to 20 KB

Twenty kilobytes is a tight budget for a photograph, but it is a common ceiling for photo fields on application, admission and registration forms. The tool lowers JPEG quality first and measures the result after every attempt. If the file is still too large, it scales the dimensions down step by step until it fits, then reports the real size it reached. Portraits and images with plain backgrounds compress most easily, while detailed scenes may come out noticeably softer. Because everything runs in your browser, the original never leaves your device. The target starts at 20 KB, but you can edit the number and switch between KB and MB if your form asks for something different.

Twenty kilobytes is a common ceiling for photo fields on application forms. Quality is lowered first and dimensions shrink only if the file is still too large, so detailed originals may come out noticeably softer. The size you enter is a goal, not a promise: the result depends on the original image, its dimensions, its complexity, its format and your browser's encoder, and the tool reports the real size instead of assuming it.

Recommended settings and supported formats

Leave a small buffer below the stated limit, because some sites count 1 KB as 1,000 bytes and others as 1,024. This page accepts JPEG only. Cropping to the subject before compressing frees budget for the details that matter, and a plain, evenly lit background keeps the file small without hurting the face.

Accepted input: JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg). Output is always JPEG, and transparent areas, if any, are filled with white.

Practical uses

Photo fields on exam, admission or registration forms with a small size cap
Profile pictures for portals with strict attachment limits
Standardising a batch of photos to a consistent, light file weight

Tips for a smaller file

Crop tightly around the subject before you start.
Aim a couple of KB under the limit in case the portal measures differently.
Use a plain background; busy scenes use up the budget quickly.
If the result looks too soft, check whether the form allows a slightly higher target.

Frequently asked questions

How do I compress a JPEG to 20 KB?

Select your JPEG, leave the target at 20 KB and press compress. The tool lowers quality first, then dimensions if needed, and shows the measured size of the result.

Can I use a different target on this page?

Yes. The target starts at 20 KB, but the number and the KB/MB unit are fully editable, so you can enter any valid size your form requires.

What if the result is still above 20 KB?

Very detailed photos may not reach the target without large dimension cuts. The tool reports the size it reached; try cropping the image or starting from a simpler original.

Does it accept PNG files?

No. This page works with JPEG files only. Use one of the general image pages for PNG or WebP.

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Privacy

Your image is processed entirely in your browser using your own device. It is not uploaded to Paul Digital or any other server, and nothing is stored once you close the page.