Compress PDF
PROReduce file size while keeping quality
If set, we try progressively stronger compression levels until the file fits. Need 500 KB for an upload form? Type 500 and switch the unit to KB.
How to compress a PDF, step by step
- 1
Upload the PDF
Drag the file into the area above or click to pick it from your computer. Nothing to install, and no account needed for small files.
- 2
Set a target size, if you need one
The maximum size field is optional. Left empty, we apply a balanced compression. Filled in, we try progressively stronger levels until the file fits the value you asked for.
- 3
Download the result
We show the size before and after with the percentage saved, and the download starts on its own. If the target cannot be reached even at the most aggressive level, we tell you instead of handing back a file that misses what you asked for.
How to land exactly on 500 KB, 1 MB or 2 MB
This is the most common situation: an application portal, a job posting or an upload form requires the attachment to stay under a specific size. Type the number in the maximum size field and pick the unit next to it — for 500 KB, type 500 and select KB. The tool tries progressively stronger compression levels and stops as soon as the file fits, without squeezing harder than needed. If the target is impossible for that document, we tell you the size we managed instead of returning an unreadable result.
When compressing actually solves the problem
- Email attachments: most providers cut attachments off between 10 MB and 25 MB.
- Application, exam and court portals, which usually impose much smaller limits — from 500 KB to 2 MB per document.
- Scanned documents: a scanned page becomes an image and weighs far more than the same page as text, which is exactly where compression pays off most.
- Sending over a messaging app or keeping it on a phone, where storage is tight.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reduce a PDF to 500 KB?
Upload the file, type 500 in the maximum size field and select KB in the unit next to it. Compression scales on its own until the file fits that limit. If the document has many high-resolution scanned pages, reaching 500 KB while keeping the text readable may not be possible — in that case we report the final size instead of handing back something illegible.
Does compressing a PDF lose quality?
It depends on what is inside. Text and vector artwork lose essentially nothing, because compression acts on images. A PDF full of photos or scanned pages loses resolution in proportion to how hard you squeeze. That is why compression only gets aggressive when you ask for a target size — with no target, we use a balanced level.
Why did my PDF barely shrink?
It was probably already efficient. A text-only PDF generated by Word or by a browser comes out compact, and there is not much left to remove. The big wins show up in scanned documents, PDFs with photos, or files exported from design software, where images are usually at a far higher resolution than needed.
What is the maximum file size I can upload?
While the promotion lasts, files up to 1 MB run free and without creating an account. Above that you need to sign in and use the PRO plan, or pay once for processing that particular file.
Are the files kept on the server?
No. Every file is processed in an isolated temporary folder and deleted as soon as the task finishes. We do not read it, do not index it and do not use the content to train artificial intelligence models. The details are in the Privacy Policy.
Can I compress several PDFs at once?
Right now the tool handles one file at a time. If you have several, you can merge them first with the merge PDF tool and compress the result, or repeat the process for each one.