Compress an image to 500 KB
Drop your photo below: the target is already set to 500 KB. The tool lowers the quality step by step and, only if needed, the pixel size until the file is 500 KB or smaller. Then download it.
How to make a photo 500 KB
Add your image and keep the target at 500 KB (512,000 bytes, counting 1 KB as 1,024 bytes as Windows does). The compressor saves the photo as JPG or WebP and searches for the highest quality that still fits. If the photo is still too large at a low quality, it also scales the width and height down a little. This limit is common for document scans, email attachments and website images.
How many pixels fit in {n} KB?
This is an estimate: an average JPG photo at good quality needs about 0.15 bytes per pixel, so 500 KB is roughly enough for 2,130 × 1,600 pixels. Photos with lots of detail (grass, text, noise) need more space; plain backgrounds need less. If the result looks soft, crop away empty areas first so the remaining pixels get more of the budget.
Tips for a sharp result
Crop the photo to what really matters before compressing. Use JPG or WebP for photos — PNG is lossless and rarely reaches small sizes. Remove noise by taking photos in good light. If a form also asks for exact pixels, resize first and then compress to 500 KB.
Popular calculations
Frequently asked questions
How do I compress an image to exactly 500 KB?
Drop the image into the tool above; the target is set to 500 KB. It finds the best quality that fits and you download a file of 500 KB or slightly less.
Will my photo lose quality?
A little, because compression removes detail you rarely notice. The tool keeps the highest quality that still fits into 500 KB.
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. Compression runs in your browser, so your photo never leaves your device.