Compress PDF Online Free

Compress a PDF to fit email and form limits

Compress PDF reduces the size of a PDF so it will pass email gateways and exam or job portals that cap uploads at a few megabytes. You can send files up to 256 MB, pick strong, balanced or light compression, or set a target size in KB or MB, and download the result.

This is one of the tools that processes the file for you and then discards it. Complete the bot check when asked. Do not upload confidential files you are unwilling to send over the network.

Compression works best on PDFs that are large because they contain photos or scans. A text-only file is often already small; compressing it will not magically turn 80 KB into 8 KB.

How to reduce PDF file size

Upload the PDF, choose a preset or a target size, and wait for the job to finish. Compare the original and new sizes shown on the page. Open the download and check signatures, stamps and small print before you submit.

Up to 256 MB per file
Strong, balanced or light presets
Optional target size in KB or MB
Download a smaller PDF
File discarded after processing

Choosing strong, balanced or light

Strong aims at the smallest file and may soften photos. Use it for draft sharing or when a portal is strict. Balanced is the usual choice for applications. Light keeps more detail for pages you might print.

If strong still misses the cap, turn on Limit PDF size or open a size URL — Compress PDF to 200 KB, 500 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB or 5 MB, or reduce PDF size under 2 MB. You can also split unused pages, or rebuild photo-heavy pages from resized JPGs via Image to PDF, then compress again. There is a floor: a 40-page colour scan cannot become 200 KB and stay readable.

Why some PDFs barely shrink

Already-compressed files, encrypted files and files that are mostly vector text have little fat to cut. If size barely changes, the PDF was not photo-heavy. Removing pages will reduce size more than another compress pass.

Compress PDF to 200 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB or 5 MB

If you already know the cap, open a size page so Limit PDF size is locked: Compress PDF to 200 KB, 500 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB or 5 MB, or reduce PDF size under 2 MB. You can also stay on this page, turn on Limit PDF size, and type any custom target in KB or MB.

Use 200 KB only for a short receipt or signature scan. 1 MB is the usual exam and job-portal line. 2 MB is typical for email and admission. 5 MB is for office scanner files that are allowed that much room. Do not squeeze to 200 KB when the form allows 2 MB.

Good practice

Keep the original until the compressed file is accepted. Never compress a signed legal PDF as your only copy if the appearance of the seal matters in court; keep the source and send a copy.

Merge first, compress last, so you are not compressing each chapter and then bloating the merge. If a face photo in the PDF becomes blotchy, use a lighter preset or replace that page.

Open a page that matches the conversion, size or form you are filling:

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Frequently asked questions

Is PDF compression free?

Yes. No login or credits.

What is the maximum file size?

Up to 256 MB per PDF.

Is my PDF stored?

The file is processed to compress it and then discarded. We do not keep a document library.

Can I set a target PDF size?

Yes. Turn on Limit PDF size, pick a preset such as 500 KB or 2 MB, or type a custom target. Compression continues until the file is at or under that size when possible.

How do I compress a PDF to 200 KB, 1 MB or 2 MB?

Open Compress PDF to 200 KB, 500 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB or 5 MB, or reduce PDF size under 2 MB. The target is already on. You can also stay here and type a custom size in KB or MB.

Which compression preset should I use?

Balanced for most forms. Strong when a portal still rejects the file. Light when you need to print sharp photos. If you have a numeric cap, set a target size instead.

Will text stay readable?

Usually yes on balanced and light. Always open the download and check small print and stamps.

What if the file is still too big?

Set a smaller target, delete unused pages with Split / Delete Pages, or rebuild image pages at a smaller size, then compress again.

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