How to resize a photo to an exact KB size
Reduce a photo to 20 KB or any exact limit: crop first, resize to pixel dimensions, then compress iteratively.
What you'll need
- Phone with rear camera
- Plain wall or white sheet
- Even front light
Step 1: Prepare the background
Use a plain light wall. Stand one arm's length away to reduce shadows.
Step 2: Frame the shot
Rear camera at eye level. Leave headroom — see Photo size too large — how to get it under 20 KB or 50 KB for face-height rules.
Step 3: Light from the front
Face the window or lamp. Avoid overhead-only light.
Step 4: Export to spec
Crop, resize, then compress — see Indian passport photo size — 35×45 mm (2026 rules). Wrong order causes blur.
Common mistakes at each step
- HEIC from iPhone — convert to JPG
- Compress before crop — loses quality
- Ignoring minimum KB — over-compression fails too
Do it automatically
This applies across documents and exams — pick yours and we will set the exact size automatically.
Choose your document or examFAQ
Can I use the front camera? Rear camera is sharper; front works if the lens is clean.
Where is the full spec? See Photo went blurry after resizing: the cause is the order of operations and the official notification.
See also
- Photo went blurry after resizing: the cause is the order of operations
Blurry after resize? You likely compressed before cropping. Crop, then resize to exact pixels, then compress to KB — in that order.
- Your photo is too small in KB — the minimum nobody reads
Over-compressed photos below the portal minimum KB fail just like oversized files. Here is why and how to fix it.
Related guides
More PhotoFix articles on the same problem or document type.
- How-toP0How to get a pure white background without PhotoshopWhite background for passport or exam photo without Photoshop — shoot it right, use a browser tool, or fix halo edges.
- How-toP1How to convert HEIC to JPG on iPhone and AndroidConvert HEIC to JPG for form upload — plus the settings change that stops your phone saving HEIC again.
- How-toP1How to check your photo meets the spec before you uploadCheck photo size, dimensions, and format on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone before you hit upload.