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How to resize your photo and signature for exam forms

Exam and recruitment forms are strict about photo and signature size. Here is how to get both right the first time, on your phone, without uploading them anywhere.

3 min read

Open Compress image to KB (any size)

What exam forms check

When you upload a photo or signature, the form checks:

  1. File size, in KB: for example 20–50 KB for the photo and 10–20 KB for the signature.
  2. Dimensions, in pixels: for example 200 × 230 for a photo or 140 × 60 for a signature.
  3. File type: usually JPG or JPEG.

Requirements differ between exams and change from year to year, so read the notification for your exam and note all three numbers before you start.

Step 1: Take a good photo

  • Stand in front of a plain white or light wall, in daylight.
  • Keep your face straight, eyes open, ears visible if required, no cap or dark glasses.
  • Hold the phone at eye level and do not zoom.

For a standard passport-style photo with a plain background and the right proportions, try the passport photo maker.

Step 2: Crop to the right shape

Exam photos are usually a bit taller than wide. Use crop image to cut away the extra background so your face and the top of your shoulders fill the frame. For the signature, crop tightly around the ink so there is little white space.

Step 3: Resize to the exact pixels

If the notification gives dimensions, open resize image and enter the width and height in pixels, for example 200 × 230. Keep the aspect ratio locked if the cropped shape already matches; otherwise the face may look stretched.

Step 4: Compress to the required KB

Open compress image to a set size and enter the limit, or use compress image to 20 KB or compress image to 50 KB. The tool finds the best quality that fits and saves a JPG. Aim slightly under the maximum, such as 45 KB for a 50 KB limit, because some forms count kilobytes differently.

Your photo and signature never leave your phone: everything is processed in the browser.

Step 5: Check before you upload

  • Open the final image and zoom in: your face and signature should be clear, not blocky.
  • Check the size in your Files app.
  • Make sure the file ends in .jpg or .jpeg if that is what the form asks for.

A typical example

Item Example requirement What to do
Photo 20–50 KB, 200 × 230 px, JPG Crop, resize to 200 × 230, compress to 45 KB
Signature 10–20 KB, 140 × 60 px, JPG Crop tightly, resize to 140 × 60, compress to 18 KB

These numbers are only an example; your exam’s notification is the final word.

Common mistakes

  • Uploading a PNG or HEIC file when the form wants JPG.
  • A photo that is small in KB but huge in pixels.
  • A dark or shadowed background.
  • A signature written in blue pen on lined paper, or in capital letters when the rules ask for running hand.

Frequently asked questions

What size should my photo be for an exam form?

It depends on the exam, and the rules change. Many forms ask for a photo between 20 KB and 50 KB and a signature between 10 KB and 20 KB, in JPG format, sometimes with exact pixel dimensions. Always check the official notification.

Why does the form reject my photo even though it is small enough?

Forms usually check three things: file size in KB, dimensions in pixels and the file type (JPG or JPEG). A photo that is 30 KB but 4000 pixels wide, or a PNG, can still be rejected.

Can I take the photo with my phone?

Yes, if you follow the rules in the notification: a plain light background, your face clearly visible and centred, no cap or dark glasses, and a recent photo. Crop it to the required shape before compressing.

How do I make a signature image?

Sign in black ink on plain white paper, photograph it straight from above in good light, crop tightly around the signature, then compress it to the required size.

Tools used in this guide

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