You fill in every detail of an exam or job application, reach the upload step, and get the message "File size must be between 20 KB and 50 KB". Phone photos are usually 2–5 MB, so they are about 100 times too big. This guide shows how to get any photo or signature to the exact size a form asks for, in under a minute.
The quick method (works on phone and computer)
- Open the Compress Image to KB tool.
- Drop your photo or tap to choose it from your gallery.
- Tap the size limit from your notification, for example 20 KB or 50 KB. If the form also has a minimum (like "not less than 10 KB"), enter it in Minimum size.
- If the form asks for exact pixels, pick them under Dimensions (for example 200 × 230 for IBPS photos).
- Press Compress and download the JPG. The exact size is shown before you download.
The tool lowers JPG quality first and only shrinks the picture if it has to, so the result stays as clear as possible. Your photo is processed in your browser and is not uploaded anywhere, which matters for ID documents.
Photo and signature sizes (checked September 2026)
| Exam / form | Photo | Signature |
|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD) | Taken live on the portal — no photo upload | 10–20 KB, JPG |
| IBPS / SBI | 20–50 KB, 200 × 230 px | 10–20 KB, 140 × 60 px |
| UPSC | 20–300 KB, at least 350 × 350 px, name and date on photo | 20–100 KB, JPG |
| Railway (RRB) 2026 | Taken live on the portal | 30–50 KB, at least 140 × 60 px |
| NEET / JEE Main | 10–200 KB, JPG | 10–100 KB, JPG |
Limits change between notifications. See the full, regularly checked exam photo and signature size list — each row has a button that opens the compressor with the right size already set.
Get the photo right before you compress
Most rejections are not about file size but about the photo itself. Before compressing:
- Crop to the face and shoulders. Use the image cropper with the Passport 35×45 preset. A tight crop also means fewer pixels, so the file compresses to 20 KB with better quality.
- Use a plain light background. If yours is busy, the background remover can replace it with white.
- Good light, no shadows, glasses off if the notice asks for it, and the photo should be recent.
How to make your signature 10–20 KB
- Sign in black ink on plain white paper. Blue ink often looks faint after compression.
- Take the photo in daylight, straight from above, so the page doesn't look grey.
- Crop tightly around the signature with the cropper — empty paper around it wastes bytes.
- In the KB compressor, choose Signature 140 × 60 px and a limit of 20 KB.
Common problems and fixes
"File size too small"
Some forms reject files under 10 KB or 20 KB. Enter that number in Minimum size; the tool will raise the quality until the file is above it.
"Invalid file format"
Forms almost always want JPG/JPEG. The KB tool always saves as JPG. If your photo came from an iPhone as HEIC, convert it first with HEIC to JPG.
"Dimensions are not correct"
Pick the exact pixel preset in the Dimensions list, or crop to the right shape first. A 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo is usually uploaded as 350 × 450 pixels.
The photo looks blurry at 20 KB
Choose a smaller dimension preset. A 200 × 230 photo at 20 KB looks sharp; a 3000 × 4000 photo squeezed into 20 KB does not.
Frequently asked questions
Can I compress a photo to 20 KB on my mobile?
Yes. The tool works in Chrome or Safari on Android and iPhone, with no app to install.
Is it safe to use for Aadhaar or PAN photos?
Yes. The image is processed on your own device and never uploaded to a server.
What about PDF documents?
For certificates and mark sheets that must be a PDF under 200 KB or 500 KB, use Compress PDF. Our guide on reducing a PDF to 200 KB explains the settings.
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