KB Kit
Runs 100% in your browser

Compress Image to 500 KB

Some job portals, school applications and support forms set a 500 KB cap. This page is preset to 500 KB: add your image and download a JPG at or under that size.

KB
Drop images here or click to choose JPG, PNG or WebP. You can add up to 20 at once.

Output is always a JPG, and transparent areas turn white. The result is at or under your KB limit, but it is not guaranteed to meet a minimum size. If the form needs a minimum too, check the result before you upload. Need PNG or a transparent background? This tool is not the right fit.

The form also asks for pixel dimensions
px

Nothing is uploaded. Your images are compressed on this device.

How to compress an image to 500 KB

  1. Check that the limit box above reads 500 KB (change it if your form says something different).
  2. Drop your photo or scan on the box, or click it to choose files from your device.
  3. Wait a second or two, then click the thumbnail to look at the result at full size.
  4. Click Download and upload the new JPG to the form.

What 500 KB looks like in practice

A typical phone photo is several megabytes, so it usually has to shrink a lot to reach 500 KB. For a plain document scan or a head-and-shoulders portrait the result can still look fine on screen. A busy photo with fine detail, such as foliage or a crowd, will show more softening. If the picture matters, zoom in on the result before you submit it.

Tips for staying under 500 KB without losing detail

  • Crop first. Cutting away empty background leaves more of the budget for the subject.
  • Set a maximum width. If the form accepts a smaller picture, open The form also asks for pixel dimensions and enter a width such as 1200. A smaller image can look better than a large one squeezed hard.
  • Scans: photograph pages flat and in even light. Shadows and creases add detail that costs file size.

Before you upload

  • The output is always JPG, and transparent areas turn white. If the form needs PDF or PNG, this tool is not suitable.
  • The tool only enforces the 500 KB upper limit. If the form also sets a minimum size, check the file size shown in the result.
  • If the tool says it cannot reach 500 KB, crop the image first and try again. More detail is in the how-to guide and FAQ.

Other sizes: 20 KB · 50 KB · 100 KB · 200 KB · 1 MB · passport photo · signature · custom