How to use this preset
- Add a JPG or JPEG photo.
- Choose pixels, percent or KB mode.
- Press Resize image; the output is a JPG.
- Download it.
Why portals want JPEG
Almost every online application asks for a JPG or JPEG: SSC, IBPS, UPSC and NEET in India, and the U.S. DS-160 and DV entry forms. JPEG compresses photos far better than PNG, so it is the only practical way to hit limits such as 20 KB or 240 KB. If your phone saved the picture as HEIC or your scanner produced a PNG, this page converts it to JPG while resizing. For the exact limits, see resize image in KB.
Reduce JPEG file size, two ways
There are two levers. Fewer pixels (for example 4000 px wide down to 1200) cuts the size roughly with the square of the scale. Lower quality (from 92% down to 75%) cuts it again with little visible change. The KB mode here combines both automatically; pixel mode only changes the dimensions and keeps high quality.
Resize a JPEG to 2 x 2 inches
Two inches at 300 dpi is 600 pixels, so a 2 x 2 inch JPEG is 600 x 600 px. Unlock nothing, crop to a square first, then type 600 in both boxes. For a US passport, use the US passport photo preset, which does it in one step.
- On iPhone or Mac, open this page in Safari; it works without an app.
- Edit from the original each time; saving a JPEG again and again adds artefacts.
- Need transparency? Use the PNG resizer.
JPEG resizing basics
JPEG, also written JPG, is the standard format for photos from cameras and phones. Resizing a JPEG means calculating new pixels at the size you choose and saving them again as JPEG at high quality. Reducing the size keeps the photo sharp, while enlarging it softens detail because the extra pixels must be estimated.
Pick the right size
For websites, 1200 to 2000 pixels wide covers almost every layout. For email, 1000 to 1600 pixels is plenty. Prints need more: about 1800 x 1200 pixels for a 6 x 4 inch photo at 300 dpi. If a form gives a file size limit instead of dimensions, use KB mode and the tool handles the rest.
Avoid repeated saving
Each time a JPEG is saved, a little detail is lost. Always resize from the original photo rather than from a copy that has already been resized or shared through a chat app. Keep the original safe and create new versions from it as needed.
Other formats in, JPEG out
You can add a PNG or WebP here too and it will be saved as JPEG, which is handy when an upload form only accepts JPG. Transparent areas become white.
Common JPEG problems and fixes
If a JPEG looks blocky after resizing, it was probably already heavily compressed before you started; find the original file. If colors look slightly different, the photo may have used a wide color profile from a camera, which browsers convert to standard sRGB; this is normal and matches how it will look on the web. If the resized photo appears rotated, open it in the rotate tool and fix the orientation once, then resize again. Very large panoramas may take a few seconds on older phones, so wait for the preview before downloading.
Frequently asked questions
Is JPG the same as JPEG?
Yes, they are two names for the same format.
Does resizing a JPEG lose quality?
Making it smaller keeps it sharp; saving many times adds small losses.
Why does my resized JPEG look sideways?
Some photos rely on a hidden orientation tag. Rotate the image once with our rotate tool and save it.
How do I resize a JPEG to a smaller file size?
Switch to KB mode and enter a target, or lower the pixel dimensions. Both reduce the file size.
How do I resize a JPEG to 2x2?
Crop it to a square and set 600 x 600 pixels, which is 2 x 2 inches at 300 dpi.
How do I resize a JPEG on iPhone or Mac?
Open this page in Safari, choose the photo, set the size and download. Nothing needs to be installed.