Why does the form say my photo is too large?

Upload forms check up to three different things, and error messages often mix them up.

1. File size (KB/MB)

This is how many bytes the file takes. 1 MB = 1024 KB on most systems, but some servers use 1000. A file showing "100 KB" on your computer can be 102,400 bytes and fail a 100,000-byte check. Aim 2–5% under the limit.

2. Dimensions (pixels)

Width × height, e.g. 600×600. A file can be tiny in KB but still have the wrong dimensions, or vice versa. Reducing dimensions is the most effective way to cut KB.

3. Format

iPhones save HEIC by default; many forms only accept JPG. Screenshots are often PNG. Converting to JPG usually fixes both format and size.

Quick fix checklist

1. Read the exact rule: maximum KB, minimum KB, dimensions, format.
2. Start from the original photo, not a copy you already compressed.
3. Use the compressor with the KB target and, if required, the max width.
4. Rename the file without spaces or special characters — some portals reject those too.

Still rejected?

Some portals check DPI metadata or require a minimum size. In that case try a slightly larger target within the allowed range.