Compress an image to under 1 MB
Forms, job portals and marketplaces often reject photos over 1 MB. This tool finds the highest quality that still fits your limit, without changing the image’s dimensions.
PresetOriginal size· JPG output· max 1 MB· change platform or size any time after upload· changeable after upload
How to compress a photo to 1 MB
- 1
Drop in your image. It keeps its original dimensions.
- 2
The 1 MB limit is already on. Change it to 500 KB, 2 MB or whatever your form asks for.
- 3
Choose JPG for photos or WebP for even smaller files. PNG can’t be compressed to a target size.
- 4
The tool tries several quality levels and keeps the highest one under your limit.
- 5
Check the final file size, then download.
Still over the limit at the lowest quality?
Quality only goes so far. If even the lowest setting doesn’t fit, reduce the dimensions: switch to Custom size and lower the width with the ratio locked. Halving width and height removes three quarters of the pixels, which typically shrinks the file by a similar amount.
Platform upload limits
Platforms that publish a maximum file size for these image types.
| Image | Size (px) | Ratio | Format | Max file | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LinkedInLandscape post / link imagePost | 1200 × 627 | 1.91:1 | jpg | 3 MB | LinkedIn's recommended size for custom images on posts with a link. Page images must be PNG or JPEG, max 3 MB. Source ↗Checked 2026-11-11 |
| LinkedInSquare postPost | 1200 × 1200 | 1:1 | jpg | 5 MB | LinkedIn's recommended square size (from its single-image ad specs, max 5 MB). Fills more of the mobile feed than landscape. Source ↗Checked 2026-11-11 |
| LinkedInPortrait post (4:5)Post | 720 × 900 | 4:5 | jpg | 5 MB | LinkedIn's recommended vertical size (from its single-image ad specs, max 5 MB). Larger 4:5 images such as 1080 × 1350 are also accepted. Source ↗Checked 2026-11-11 |
| LinkedInProfile cover image (banner)Banner | 1584 × 396 | 4:1 | jpg | 8 MB | JPG or PNG, under 8 MB. Your profile photo overlaps the lower left, so keep key content to the right. Source ↗Checked 2026-11-11 |
| LinkedInCompany page coverBanner | 1512 × 256 | 5.9:1 | jpg | 3 MB | Minimum and recommended size for LinkedIn Page cover images. PNG or JPEG, max 3 MB. Source ↗Checked 2026-11-11 |
| YouTubeVideo thumbnail (4K)Thumbnail | 3840 × 2160 | 16:9 | jpg | 50 MB | YouTube's recommended thumbnail resolution. JPG or PNG, up to 50 MB when uploading from a computer (2 MB from the mobile app). Minimum width 640 px. Source ↗Checked 2026-11-11 |
| YouTubeVideo thumbnail (HD, mobile upload)Thumbnail | 1280 × 720 | 16:9 | jpg | 2 MB | A lighter 16:9 thumbnail that fits the 2 MB limit for uploads from the YouTube mobile app. Source ↗Checked 2026-11-11 |
| YouTubeShorts thumbnailThumbnail | 2160 × 3840 | 9:16 | jpg | 50 MB | YouTube's recommended Shorts thumbnail size (minimum height 640 px). Custom Shorts thumbnails can only be added in YouTube Studio on a computer. Source ↗Checked 2026-11-11 |
| YouTubeChannel bannerBanner | 2560 × 1440 | 16:9 | jpg | 6 MB | Minimum 2048 × 1152, max 6 MB. Text and logos must fit the centred safe area: 1235 × 338 at the minimum size, scaled here to 1544 × 423. Source ↗Checked 2026-11-11 |
| PinterestStandard Pin (2:3)Post | 1000 × 1500 | 2:3 | jpg | 20 MB | Pinterest's recommended size. Pins taller than 2:3 might get cut off in feeds. PNG or JPEG, max 20 MB on desktop (32 MB in the app). Source ↗Checked 2026-11-11 |
| PinterestSquare Pin (1:1)Post | 1000 × 1000 | 1:1 | jpg | 20 MB | 1:1 is an accepted ratio for carousel and collection Pins. For single Pins, Pinterest recommends 2:3. Source ↗Checked 2026-11-11 |
Frequently asked questions
Is 1 MB 1000 KB or 1024 KB?
The tool counts 1 MB as 1,000,000 bytes, the stricter of the two definitions. A file under that limit also passes checks that use 1,048,576 bytes.
Will compressing reduce the quality?
JPG and WebP are lossy, so smaller files mean some detail is lost. The tool searches for the highest quality that fits, and for most photos the difference at 1 MB is hard to see.
Why doesn’t my PNG get smaller?
PNG is lossless and has no quality setting, so it can’t be squeezed to a target size. Switch the format to JPG or WebP, or reduce the dimensions.
Can I compress to 200 KB or 500 KB instead?
Yes. Type any number into the max file size field and choose KB or MB.