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How to use the Image Compressor
- 1Drop your images or click to choose them (JPG, PNG and WebP are supported).
- 2Adjust the quality slider; 75–85% gives the best balance of size and quality.
- 3Optionally set a maximum width to shrink large photos even more.
- 4Download each compressed image or all of them at once.
How to get an image under 40 KB
Drop your photo above: the compressor tries quality levels from high to low and keeps the best-looking version that is under 40 KB. If even low quality is too large, it also reduces the width and height step by step until the file fits.
We aim for under 40000 bytes, so the file passes forms that count 1 KB as 1,000 bytes as well as those that use 1,024. Everything runs in your browser; your photo is never uploaded.
Where 40 KB limits are common
- Passport-style photos on exam and recruitment forms; portals such as SSC ask for a photo of 20–50 KB.
- University and scholarship applications that cap each upload at around 50 KB.
What size is a 40 KB photo?
As a rough guide, a typical photo saved as JPG at good quality is about 580 × 580 pixels at 40 KB (or about 670 × 500 for a 4:3 photo). Simple pictures with plain backgrounds can be larger; busy, detailed photos come out smaller.
Tips for the best result
- Crop away empty space first so the pixels are spent on what matters.
- Use JPG for photos: PNG files can't be squeezed to a target size and are usually much larger.
- Plain, evenly lit backgrounds compress far better than busy ones.
- Check the form's other rules too: many ask for specific pixel dimensions or a minimum size as well as a maximum.
Compress to a specific size
Frequently asked questions
Will my photo look blurry at 40 KB?
At 40 KB most photos still look sharp on screen. The compressor keeps the highest quality that fits.
Is 1 KB 1,000 or 1,024 bytes?
Both are used. To be safe we keep your file under 40000 bytes, which satisfies either definition.
Why can't my image get under 40 KB?
Very large or very detailed images may need resizing first. The tool shrinks dimensions automatically, but if a form requires exact pixel dimensions, use the resize tool with those dimensions and a target size.