What Compress PDF to KB does
Many application portals refuse a PDF that is even slightly over their limit: 100 KB, 200 KB, 500 KB or 1 MB are typical. Guessing a compression level and checking the size again and again wastes time. With this tool you state the limit, and it works through stronger and stronger compression until the file fits, beginning with methods that keep text selectable.
How to compress a PDF to an exact size
- Add your PDF.
- Choose a preset — 100 KB, 200 KB or 500 KB — or type the limit your form states.
- Press the button. The tool tries several settings in turn; large files can take a little while.
- Read the result card. It shows the final size and tells you whether pages had to be converted to images.
- Open the downloaded file and check that it is readable before you upload it.
How the tool reaches the target
First the images inside the PDF are compressed while text stays as text. If that is not enough, each page is stored as one image and the resolution and quality are lowered step by step until the whole file is under the limit. The result is at or just under your target, never above it.
What is realistic?
| Document | Pages | A sensible target |
|---|---|---|
| Typed letter or certificate | 1 | 50–100 KB |
| Scanned ID or marksheet | 1–2 | 100–200 KB |
| Scanned document | 3–5 | 200–500 KB |
| Long scan | 10 or more | 1 MB or more, or split the file |
These figures come from our own testing and are a guide only. The more pages share the same budget, the softer each page becomes.
Use cases
- Uploading marksheets, certificates and ID proofs to admission, scholarship and job portals.
- Attaching documents to e-mail systems with small attachment limits.
- Submitting forms to government and banking websites that state a maximum document size.
If the target cannot be reached
The tool tells you when the limit is too small for the document. You then have three good options:
- Remove pages you do not need with Delete PDF Pages or Extract PDF Pages.
- Split the PDF if the portal accepts more than one file.
- Trim wide margins with Crop PDF so the size budget is spent on the content.
Good to know
- When pages have been converted to images, text can no longer be selected or searched. Keep your original file.
- Check whether the limit applies to documents or only to the photo and signature. Portals often allow more for documents.
- If you do not have a strict limit, Compress PDF gives better quality.
Privacy
The PDF is processed in your browser. It is not uploaded to our server.
