Compress JPEG to 20 KB
20 KB is one of the most common limits for signatures and small photos on recruitment and exam forms. This page saves JPEG and keeps the file under 20 KB. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded. Need different dimensions instead? Resize or convert.
Why compress to 20 KB?
A 20 KB target is usually set for signatures, thumbnails and the small photo fields on online application forms. A JPG photo of around 350×260 pixels fits, with basic quality.
About 350×260 px fits
At medium quality a detailed JPG photo of roughly 350×260 pixels lands under 20 KB; at high quality about 240×180.
Typical use
20 KB limits are common for signatures, thumbnails and the small photo fields on online application forms.
179× smaller than a phone photo
A 12 MP phone photo is around 3–4 MB, so it must shrink about 179×. The tool lowers quality first and resizes only if needed.
Quality to expect
At 20 KB, quality is basic. Best for small ID photos and signatures.
Scans and documents
A scanned A4 page of about 420×600 pixels usually fits, because text pages compress far better than photos.
Exact limit, checked
20 KB is measured as 20,480 bytes (1 KB = 1,024 bytes), the way most upload forms count it, so the file is never just over.
20 KB at a glance
| Limit in bytes | 20,480 bytes |
|---|---|
| Photo at high quality | about 240×180 px |
| Photo at medium quality | about 350×260 px |
| Photo at low quality | about 470×350 px |
| Scanned A4 document | about 420×600 px |
| Reduction from a 12 MP phone photo | about 179× |
| Output format | JPG |
| Typical use | Signatures, thumbnails and the small photo fields on online application forms |
Compress an image to 20 KB in 3 steps
- Add your image — JPG, PNG, WebP or a phone photo.
- The target is already set to 20 KB. Leave “Remove EXIF metadata” ticked to save extra bytes.
- Click Compress and download a JPG under 20 KB.
New to image compression? Read the full compression guide.
Signatures and photos under 20 KB
Signature: crop tight, resize to the requested pixels (often 140×60 — see resize signature), then compress here. It will usually land well under 20 KB with crisp lines.
Photo: about 330 pixels wide fits comfortably. Many forms pair a 20 KB signature with a 50 KB photo — for that, use JPEG to 50 KB.
Keep white white. Grey, shadowed paper adds bytes and looks messy. Photograph the signature in daylight on bright white paper.
Other file-size targets
Nearby limits — each one opens the compressor already set to it:
Compress by format
Guides and presets for each format:
Compress under a file size
Keeps your image’s format — pick the limit you need:
JPEG under a file size
Frequently asked questions
Why is my signature file bigger than 20 KB?
Usually because of empty paper around it or grey shadows. Crop tightly and use a white background; the file drops sharply.
How many pixels fit in 20 KB?
For a detailed JPG photo, about 350×260 at medium quality or 470×350 at low quality. Simple graphics and scans can be much larger.
What quality will a 20 KB photo have?
Basic. Best for small ID photos and signatures. The tool keeps the dimensions where it can and lowers compression quality first, so faces and text stay readable.
Is 20 KB the same as 20,000 bytes?
Not quite. Most forms count 1 KB as 1,024 bytes, so 20 KB is 20,480 bytes. The tool uses the same count, so a file it marks as under 20 KB is accepted.
Should I use JPG or WebP for 20 KB?
JPG is accepted everywhere and is the safe choice for forms. WebP holds about 30% more detail at the same size, ideal for websites that support it.
Why is my file still over 20 KB?
Very large or detailed images may not reach 20 KB by quality alone. Resize it first (for example to 350 pixels wide) with the resizer, then compress again.
Are my images uploaded anywhere?
No. They are read and compressed by your own browser and never leave your device. You can disconnect from the internet once the page has loaded and it will still work.