Compress PDF to a size
Set a target in MB and get a PDF that fits email and upload limits.
or drop files here
Free: files up to 200 MB · up to 10 files · 15 of 15 free tasks left today. See plans
Files are encrypted in transit and deleted after 2 hours. You can delete them sooner.
To compress a PDF to 1 MB, type 1 as the target in Compress PDF to a size (or 0.2 for 200 KB) and select Compress PDF; it shrinks the file until it fits, or tells you the smallest size it could reach.
How to compress a PDF to a specific size in 3 steps
- 1
Choose your PDF files, or drop them anywhere on the page.
- 2
Enter the size in MB that each file should stay under, for example 1.
- 3
Select Compress PDF, then download the result and check the final size.
What can Compress PDF to a size do?
- Aim for an exact limit, such as 1 MB for a form upload or 10 MB for email.
- Up to four passes, each with lower image resolution and quality, until the file fits.
- If the target can't be reached, you get the smallest version we could make, with its size.
- Bookmarks, links and form fields are kept by default.
- Files are encrypted in transit and deleted after 2 hours.
How do I reduce a PDF to a specific size?
To reduce a PDF to a specific size, enter the limit in MB and Compress PDF to a size does the rest. Instead of guessing a compression level, it compresses the file in up to four passes, lowering image resolution and quality a step at a time, and stops as soon as the file fits. For a quick size reduction without a target, use Compress PDF.
What happens if the target is too small?
If the target cannot be reached without making the document unreadable, you still get the smallest version we could produce, with its size next to your target. Good next steps are cutting the file into parts with Split PDF or removing pages with Delete PDF pages.
Is it safe to compress a PDF online?
Yes. Your files are encrypted in transit, processed on our servers and deleted automatically after 2 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compress a PDF to 1 MB?
Type 1 in the target size box and select Compress PDF. The file is compressed in up to four passes until it is under 1 MB, and the result shows the final size next to your target.
Can I compress a PDF to 100 KB, 200 KB or 500 KB?
Yes. The target is set in MB, so type 0.1 for 100 KB, 0.2 for 200 KB or 0.5 for 500 KB. Short documents usually get there; long or photo-heavy PDFs may not.
What if my PDF cannot get that small?
You get the smallest file we could make and a message such as Smallest we could reach: 2.3 MB (target 1 MB). Splitting the PDF or deleting pages you do not need can close the gap.
Does a smaller target size lower the quality?
Yes, images are stored at a lower resolution to reach a smaller size. Text stays sharp because it is not converted to images.
Why would I need a PDF under a specific size?
Many job portals, government forms and email providers reject files above a limit, often 1, 2 or 10 MB. Setting a target saves you from trying several compression levels by hand.
What are the free limits for compressing to a size?
Free files can be up to 200 MB each. Guests can compress up to 10 files per task and 15 tasks a day; a free account allows 20 files per task and 40 tasks a day.
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Last updated 23 October 2026