How to use this page
- If the photo is a huge camera original, crop and resize to about 1600 pixels wide unless the recipient asked for more.
- Set JPG or WebP and a target around 200–500 KB for a chat photo, then check the real size.
- Send the download in WhatsApp as a photo (WhatsApp will encode again) or as a document if you need the bytes you just made.
Worked example: a 6 MB holiday photo on a weak mobile connection
Resize to 1600 pixels wide, compress to 200 KB as JPG, and send that download. If the recipient needs the original, send the camera file as a document instead — WhatsApp allows documents up to 2 GB. Do not zip a single JPG expecting magic.
What this job is for
WhatsApp Help documents a 2 GB maximum for files sent as documents and notes that media shared as photos is usually compressed. HD media is not currently available for status updates or profile pictures. This page does not replace WhatsApp’s own encoder.
Useful limits
For a profile picture, use the WhatsApp profile size page (a 640-pixel practical square) rather than this compressor. Image Cosmos cannot send the chat for you and does not talk to WhatsApp’s servers.
The live tool behind this page is Image Compressor. It is the same local engine as the rest of Image Cosmos.
Frequently asked questions
Will WhatsApp keep my 200 KB file as-is?
Not if you send it as a photo. WhatsApp will encode it again. Send as a document when you need the exact download.
What target should I type?
There is no official photo-KB cap in WhatsApp Help. 200–500 KB is a practical chat size after a sensible resize. Use a larger target if you will send the file as a document.
Does Image Cosmos send the image to WhatsApp?
No. You download a local file and attach it yourself.