Help

Prepare a photo for an online form

Use the exact requirement printed by the form. WhatTheFile will show what it understands before it changes the image.

Step by step

1. Open the WhatTheFile photo tool.
2. Choose a JPG, PNG or WEBP photo. PDFs can currently be checked but not compressed.
3. Paste or type the form’s requirement—for example, Passport photo under 100 KB, 600 × 600, JPG.
4. Confirm that the understood size, dimensions and format are correct.
5. Select Prepare my photo.
6. Review the final file size and dimensions, then download the result.

Writing requirements

WhatTheFile recognises common KB and MB limits, pixel dimensions written with × or x, and JPG, PNG or WEBP formats.

• Under 100 KB, JPG
• 480 × 368 pixels, less than 2 MB
• 600x600 WEBP
• PDF less than 1 MB (check only)

Why is the output still too large?

PNG does not offer the same browser quality control as JPG or WEBP. For a strict limit, choose JPG or reduce the pixel dimensions. Some visually complex images may not reach an extremely small limit without losing substantial quality.

How are exact dimensions handled?

The image is centre-cropped to the requested aspect ratio and then resized. This prevents stretching, but it may trim content near the edges. Manual crop positioning is planned.

PDF limitations

If a PDF is already below the requested limit, WhatTheFile can confirm that locally and offer the same file for download. If it is too large, PDF compression is not yet available.

Report a problem

Email support@whatthefile.org with the browser name, device type and the text of the requirement—but never attach a sensitive personal photo.