Skip to main content

Make Picture Less Than 20 MB For Free

Drop document here to upload
Select from device
Up to 100 MB for PDF and up to 25 MB for DOC, DOCX, RTF, PPT, PPTX, JPEG, PNG, JFIF, XLS, XLSX or TXT

Last updated on May 25, 2026

Make Picture Less Than 20 MB

Reduce image file sizes to under 20 MB using pdfFiller's easy compression tool.

What is the Compress Tool?

The Compress tool in pdfFiller allows you to reduce the file size of your images effectively. This tool is particularly useful for small businesses that often need to share documents online. By using the Compress tool, you can make your pictures less than 20 MB, ensuring they meet upload requirements without sacrificing quality. You can access this tool directly from the editor header or the All Tools dashboard, making it convenient to use whenever you need it.

Why Compress Images?

Compressing images is essential for smooth digital workflows. Large image files can slow down upload speeds and create obstacles when sharing documents. By reducing picture size for upload, you can enhance your efficiency, allowing for quicker sharing and collaboration. If you skip this step, you may face delays in project timelines or even be unable to upload your files at all, which can hinder your business operations.

How to Access the Compress Tool

To locate the Compress tool, simply look for the button in the editor header while editing a document. Alternatively, you can find it in the All Tools dashboard, which does not require an open document. This accessibility ensures that you can make your images smaller without any hassle, making it a user-friendly experience.

Uploading Your Images

When you want to compress image files, you first need to upload them to pdfFiller. The platform supports various image formats, allowing you to work with the files you already have. You can upload images directly from your device, and the system will handle any necessary format conversions before compression. This process ensures that your digital documents are ready for efficient management.

Step-by-Step Compression Instructions

  • Open the document in pdfFiller where your image is located.
  • Click on the Compress button in the editor header.
  • Select the quality level you prefer: High, Medium, or Low.
  • Review the preview of the compressed image to ensure it meets your needs.
  • Click the Compress button to finalize the process.
  • Wait for the compression to complete, which should only take a few moments.
  • Download the compressed image to your device.
  • If the file is still too large, consider adjusting the quality level and repeating the process.

Choosing Compression Quality Levels

When using the Compress tool, you have three quality settings to choose from: High, Medium, and Low. Selecting High will minimize visual changes while reducing file size slightly. Medium offers a balanced tradeoff between size and quality, while Low maximizes size reduction but may impact image fidelity. The quality level you choose can depend on your plan tier, so be sure to consider your options carefully.

What Changes After Compression?

After you compress your images, certain content types will be affected. Specifically, the compression process optimizes embedded images, which may result in some quality loss. However, text, structure, and form fields remain intact, ensuring that your document's essential information is preserved. This balance allows you to manage file sizes without compromising the integrity of your documents.

Expected File Size Reduction

The extent of file size reduction varies based on the content type of your images. For instance, image-heavy PDFs typically see significant size reductions, while text-only PDFs may yield minimal changes. It's important to note that already-optimized files will see near-zero reduction. Therefore, understanding the nature of your files can help set realistic expectations for compression outcomes.

Downloading Your Compressed Images

Once your images are compressed, downloading them is straightforward. You can choose to save the compressed files directly to your device. If you find that the file is still too large, consider revisiting the compression settings and adjusting the quality level. Proper file management after compression ensures that your digital documents remain efficient and easy to share.

Compress vs. Other Methods

pdfFiller's Compress tool stands out when compared to other methods like Delete Pages, Split, and Save As. While Delete Pages removes content entirely, and Split divides documents into smaller parts, the Compress tool focuses solely on reducing file size without altering the document's structure. This unique benefit allows you to maintain all your information while making your images less than 20 MB.

Real-World Scenarios for Compression

Consider a small business that needs to send marketing materials via email. Large image files can delay the sending process or even cause emails to bounce. By using the Compress tool, they can quickly reduce picture size for upload, ensuring timely communication. Freelancers working on projects with tight deadlines also benefit from this tool, as it allows for quick uploads to client portals. These scenarios illustrate how essential the Compress tool is for maintaining efficiency in various professional settings.

How Does pdfFiller Compare?

Smallpdf offers similar compression features but lacks the extensive template library pdfFiller provides, resulting in less integrated document management. ilovepdf has a simple interface for compression but fewer customization options, limiting functionality compared to pdfFiller. Adobe Acrobat provides comprehensive PDF tools but is often more complex and costly for small businesses, making it a higher price point without added value for basic compression needs.

Try most popular PDF tools

Discover a full set of tools to handle any document task.

Edit PDFs

Make quick PDF edits online.

Sign

Add legally binding signatures.

Merge

Combine multiple PDFs.

Request signatures

Send a document for signing.

Convert

Transform PDFs into other formats.

Rearrange

Change the order of pages.

Share

Send PDFs for review or editing.

Compress

Reduce PDF file sizes.

How to compress your PDF?

1. Upload your document

Compress, edit, sign, and manage documents from a single solution

  • Compress and edit PDFs in one place Edit your PDF and compress it directly within the editor. Choose from high, medium, or low compression levels to balance quality and file size according to your needs.
  • Equip yourself with powerful PDF tools Edit PDFs online almost as easily as Word documents. Add text, adjust formatting, replace content, insert images, and more. pdfFiller has all you need to get your documents done from start to finish.
  • eSign and send documents Sign documents on your own or send them to others for signatures, whether a single recipient or an entire group. You can assign roles, manage the signing order, set reminders, and request additional authentication.
  • Annotate and collaborate Highlight important data, redact sensitive details, add sticky notes, and exchange comments in your PDFs. Then, instantly send documents for review or editing. You can also share files and folders with your team to boost collaboration.
  • Organize and manage PDFs Merge, split, rearrange, and convert PDFs into formats like DOCX, XLSX, JPEG, PNG, and PPTX. Secure your documents by locking them with a password or placing them in an encrypted folder.
  • Secure files in the cloud Organize your documents and templates in secure cloud storage and access them from anywhere. pdfFiller follows strict security regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 2 Type II, and others to help safeguard your data.

Who needs this?

Explore how professionals across industries use pdfFiller to compress PDFs

Education

Teachers and administrators can reduce file sizes for effortless sharing with pdfFiller’s compress feature, and enhance collaboration between students and educators with pdfFiller's tools designed for seamless collaboration.

  • Lesson plans
  • Student enrollment forms
  • Class schedules
  • Permission slips
Education
  • G2 — Users Most Likely To Recommend
  • G2 — Grid Leader in Small-Business
  • G2 — High Performer
  • G2 — Regional Leader
  • G2 — Easiest To Do Business With
  • G2 — Best Meets Requirements
  • G2 — Best Support

pdfFiller scores top ratings on review platforms

pdfFiller is rated 4.6/5 stars on 125,000+ G2 reviews.

I use it in my legal briefs and pleadings.
Sofia F
Great doc for entering pertinent… Great doc for entering pertinent information, easy to print!
Thomas Melnick
fantastic service fantastic service! a+++!
Jayda McLauchlin
Program does just what it is supposed… Program does just what it is supposed to do.
William Lardent
What do you like best? I loved how I could easily convert and edit my documents without hassle. And when I needed to cancel my subscription and i contacted customer support the response time was fast and resolved swiftly What do you dislike? Absolutely nothing to dislike about this platform. What problems are you solving with the product? What benefits have you realized? Easy editing of my PDF files and adding signature online
User in Higher Education
Great, if I could learn the product more
lplanson

Compress documents with a trusted solution

Try easy-to-use tools for all your document management needs.

pdfFiller workspace for creating, filling and managing PDF forms

Why compress documents with pdfFiller?

Optimize quality at the right file size

Watch our PDF compress in action

Check out a quick video tutorial that shows how to compress any file into an editable PDF in three easy steps.

FAQs

If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact us anytime!

To make a picture less than 20 MB without significant quality loss, use image compression tools like pdfFiller. These tools allow you to adjust the resolution and file format while maintaining visual integrity. Start by uploading your image to pdfFiller, select the compression settings, and download the optimized file. For best results, consider saving images in formats like JPEG or PNG, which offer good quality at lower file sizes. Additionally, reducing the image dimensions can also help achieve the desired file size.

To ensure your images are under 20 MB for legal document submissions, utilize pdfFiller's image optimization features. Begin by scanning or taking photos of your documents at a lower resolution. Once uploaded to pdfFiller, use the built-in compression options to reduce the file size. Always check the final size before submission to ensure compliance with legal requirements. For added security, pdfFiller encrypts your documents during processing, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected.

The best file formats for making pictures less than 20 MB include JPEG, PNG, and GIF. JPEG is ideal for photographs due to its efficient compression capabilities, while PNG is better for images requiring transparency. To optimize your images, upload them to pdfFiller and select the appropriate format based on your needs. Remember, each format has different compression characteristics, so test a few to find the best balance between quality and file size.

Yes, you can batch process multiple images to make them less than 20 MB using pdfFiller's bulk upload feature. Simply upload all your images at once, select the compression settings, and let pdfFiller optimize them in one go. This is particularly useful for remote teams and legal professionals who need to manage multiple documents efficiently. Ensure you review the final sizes to confirm they meet your requirements before sharing or submitting.

Common pitfalls when trying to make a picture less than 20 MB include excessive compression, which can lead to poor image quality, and not checking the final file size after processing. To avoid these issues, use pdfFiller's preview feature to assess image quality before finalizing. Additionally, be mindful of the original resolution; reducing it too much can render the image unusable. Always keep a backup of the original file for reference.

pdfFiller ensures the security of images while making them less than 20 MB through robust encryption protocols during file upload and processing. This means that your images are protected from unauthorized access. When you use pdfFiller to compress images, you can trust that your sensitive documents remain secure. Always review the privacy policy to understand how your data is handled, especially if you are part of a legal team or handling confidential information.

pdfFiller offers a suite of tools to help make pictures less than 20 MB, including image compression, format conversion, and document automation features. These tools are designed for remote professionals and SMEs who need efficient document management solutions. By using pdfFiller, you can easily edit, eSign, and collaborate on documents while ensuring that images meet size requirements. Take advantage of the user-friendly interface to streamline your workflow and maintain document integrity.

What businesses achieve with pdfFiller

Discover how you can benefit too.

I was happy to do this for patients, but I simply didn't have 30–60 minutes to fill out each form. It was a true waste of resources to do it that way, and as a surgeon, my time is better spent in patient care, which was often delayed.

Marshall Orthopaedics

One tool. Every document task.

One workflow shouldn’t take five tools

Start free trial