Compress a PDF to an exact size
Portal says your PDF is too large? Pick the limit, such as 200KB, drop your PDF, and get a version under it — exact to the byte, never uploaded.
20 to 20000 KB.
How to use it
- Enter the size limit from the portal, or pick a preset such as 200 KB. Any number from 20 to 20000 KB works.
- Choose or drop your PDF.
- Wait while it compresses. PDFs with many pages take longer.
- Download the result. The file name ends with the limit, like report-200kb.pdf.
How it works
Each page is redrawn as a compressed JPG image, then the tool searches for the sharpest quality that keeps the whole PDF under your limit. If that is not enough, it lowers the resolution step by step, from about 108 dpi down to about 22 dpi. Page sizes stay the same. Sizes use 1 KB = 1,000 bytes, so the result also fits portals that count 1 KB as 1,024 bytes.
Common problems
If you see “Could not get this PDF under …”, even the lowest setting was too big. Try a higher limit, or upload fewer pages if the portal allows it.
If the file could not be opened, it may be damaged or protected with a password. Save a copy without the password in your PDF reader, then try again.
If small print is hard to read, the limit is tight for the number of pages. Raise the limit a little and always check the result before you submit it.
Questions
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Everything happens inside your browser, so the document stays on your device.
Can I still select the text?
No. Pages become images, which is what makes very small sizes possible. Links and bookmarks also stop working. Most application portals only need the document to be readable, not editable. Keep your original if you need selectable text. To combine several PDFs into one, use merge PDFs under a KB limit; it keeps the text selectable when the merged file fits. If the portal only accepts JPG, use PDF to JPG under a KB limit instead.
My PDF is already under the limit. Do I need this?
Usually not. The tool tells you when your original already fits, so you can upload it as is.
I have photos or scans, not a PDF. What should I use?
Use images to PDF under a KB limit to combine them into one PDF. To shrink a single photo, use compress an image to an exact size.