Where 2 MB limits come from
- X (Twitter) profile photo: JPG, PNG or GIF up to 2 MB (X Help).
- YouTube thumbnail: up to 2 MB when you add it from a phone, 50 MB from a computer (YouTube Help).
- Many job, school and club sign-up forms also cap photos at 2 MB.
The right pixel sizes for each platform are in thephoto size cheat sheet. For forms, seephoto too large to upload.
Why 2 MB rarely needs a smaller picture
Phone photos are big mostly because they’re saved quickly, not because they need the space. Re-saving one with a better JPEG encoder usually brings it under 2 MB at the same width and height. The tool only reduces the pixel size if that isn’t enough.
Need a different limit? Try 500 KB,100 KB or any size.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a photo under 2 MB?
Add it and press Compress. A typical phone photo of several MB gets under 2 MB at a quality you can’t tell apart on screen.
Why does my profile photo upload fail?
It’s often the file size. X, for example, takes profile photos up to 2 MB. Compress the photo here and try again.
Will compressing to 2 MB make my photo blurry?
Usually not. 2 MB is a generous limit, so the tool mostly just re-saves the JPEG more efficiently and keeps the full pixel size.
Can I compress a PNG to 2 MB?
Yes. Add it and the result is saved as a JPEG or WebP under 2 MB. If you need to keep a transparent background, use WebP.
Are my photos uploaded?
No. Your photos stay on your phone or computer and are never sent to us or anyone else, because the work happens right on your device.