Compress to a size
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Compress a PDF to a specific size

Enter a target such as 2 MB or 500 KB and get a PDF under that size for an upload portal or email limit.

  • Runs on our secure server
  • Deleted within 1 hour
  • Processed in London
  • Up to 25 MB per file
or drop files here

Up to 25 MB per file · 1 file at a time on your plan

How it works

  1. Add your PDF

    Click Choose file or drag a PDF onto the page.

  2. Enter your target size

    Type the largest size the portal or inbox accepts, for example 2000 KB for 2 MB. Allow a little headroom if the limit is strict.

  3. Compress

    Press Compress. The file is compressed at progressively stronger settings until it fits under the target.

Pro

Do more with Pro

  • No ads, anywhere
  • Files up to 200 MB
  • 50 files at once
  • Saved workflows
Try Pro free for 14 daysThen £7.99 a month. Cancel any time.

About compressing to a size

Job sites, visa applications, university portals and some email systems reject files over a fixed size, and guessing which compression level gets you under it is tedious. This tool does the guessing for you. It starts with a gentle setting and checks the size; if the file is still too big, it tries again with a lower image resolution, and so on, stopping as soon as the file fits. It makes at most 6 attempts. If the target still cannot be met, for example because the PDF is mostly text and fonts with little to shrink, you get the smallest result it reached and a clear message that the target was not met. In that case, try removing pages you do not need with Delete pages, or converting colour scans to grayscale with Compress PDF. Text stays sharp at every step because only images are reduced. The smallest target is 50 KB. Stronger compression can make photos look soft, so check the preview before you submit.

Limits: one PDF per task, up to 25 MB with a free account, 200 MB on Pro and 500 MB on Business. Targets from 50 KB upwards. A free account includes 10 server tasks a day.

Before you sign in, files can be up to 25 MB and you can run 10 server tasks a day. A free account raises this to 25 MB and 10 tasks a day.

Privacy: your file is uploaded over an encrypted connection to our UK servers, processed automatically with no person opening it, and deleted within 2 hours (1 hour on Free), or straight away with Delete now.

How to use the PDF tools: Step-by-step help with every tool, limits and your files.

Compress to a size: frequently asked questions

What happens if my file cannot get small enough?

After at most 6 attempts you get the smallest version it could make, with a message saying the target was not met.

How do I enter 2 MB?

Enter 2000 KB. If the portal is strict, aim slightly lower, such as 1900 KB, to be safe.

Will my text become blurry?

No. Only images are reduced; text and line drawings stay sharp.

Why is the result much smaller than my target?

Each attempt uses a set level, so the first one that fits can land well under the target. This keeps processing quick.

Related tools

All Optimise and OCR tools