Free Ways to Compress Photos for Scanned Receipts
You do not need paid software to compress images well. Expense tools mostly need receipts to be legible, not print quality, so small files work well.
Recommended settings for scanned receipts
| Setting | Starting point |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG (WebP where accepted) |
| Width | about 1200 px on the long edge |
| Quality | 70 |
| File size | 150 KB or less |
These are practical defaults. If the platform or form you are using publishes its own limits, follow those instead.
Free Ways to Compress Photos
Browser tools like TheCompressJPEG are free, need no installation and keep files on your device. Built-in editors on phones and computers can also export smaller copies.
Whichever you use, the recipe for scanned receipts is the same: resize to about 1200 pixels, choose quality around 70, and check the result before uploading.
Step by step with TheCompressJPEG
- Open the compress JPEG to 150 KB tool, or the main compressor for custom settings.
- Drop in your image. Nothing is uploaded; it is processed in your browser.
- Set the maximum width to 1200 and the target size to 150 KB.
- Press Compress, check the result and download it.
Quick tips
- Write a size limit slightly below the stated maximum to leave a margin.
- Process private images locally rather than uploading them to unknown servers.
- Crop out distractions so pixels go to the subject.
- Use WebP where it is supported and you control the page.
FAQ
What size should an image be for e-learning courses?
A practical default is about 1600 pixels wide and 200 KB or less, unless the destination states its own limits.
Can I compress images for e-learning courses without uploading them?
Yes. TheCompressJPEG runs entirely in your browser, so your images never leave your device.
Is WebP accepted for e-learning courses?
It depends on the platform. JPEG is the safest choice when you are not sure.
Wrapping up
For scanned receipts, the reliable recipe is simple: resize to around 1200 pixels, compress at quality 70 or to a 150 KB target, and check the result before you upload. Keep the original so you can always start again.
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