Image Tools
Compress Image to 20 KB
Compress a photo down to 20 KB - the exact size required by Indian passport, visa, and most government exam forms for photos and signatures.
The algorithm
Hitting 20 KB on an image is aggressive but achievable. The tool starts at high JPEG quality and iteratively drops quality (and if needed, resolution) until the output fits under 20 KB. For passport-sized photos this is the right trade-off - portals need small files more than they need high quality.
If your source image is a modern phone photo (5-10 MB), the final result will be noticeably downscaled. If you've already cropped it to passport size (around 350×450 px), compression alone should land it in range.
A real use case
Common use: Indian passport renewal (Passport Seva) requires photos at exactly 20 KB. A phone photo straight from the camera is 2-5 MB - this tool brings it down to 20 KB while keeping the face recognizable. Same requirement for Aadhaar updates, PAN card photos, and many exam registrations (UPSC, SSC CGL, Railway RRB).
Common questions
Will my face still be clear at 20 KB?
For a properly cropped passport-sized photo, yes - the compressed version is legally acceptable for ID purposes. The result will show some JPEG softness but faces remain identifiable, which is what the portal verifies.
Why does the Indian passport portal demand such a small file?
Their photo storage system was designed when bandwidth was limited. The 20 KB cap persists for compatibility. Virtually all Indian government portals share this constraint.
Is this really private?
Yes. Compression runs entirely in your browser using Canvas APIs. The image is never uploaded or stored. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and it still works.
What image formats are accepted?
JPG, PNG, WebP, and GIF (first frame only). Output is always JPEG - it gives the best size-to-quality ratio for photos and screenshots at these target sizes.
What's the maximum file size I can upload?
Up to 50 MB. Modern phone photos are typically 2-8 MB, so even a RAW-converted image or a 4K screenshot fits comfortably.
Why does my file land slightly under the target instead of exactly on it?
The tool binary-searches JPEG quality to find the highest setting that still fits under the target. It stops at the first setting that lands under - which is exactly what upload portals want.