Compress PDF – everything it can do:

Compress PDFCompress PDF to 100KB Compress PDF to 200KB Compress PDF to 500KB Compress PDF to 1MB

Compress PDF

Make your PDF smaller so it fits email and upload limits. Choose how strong the compression should be.

🔒 Your files are processed on your device and never uploaded.

Compress PDF at a glance

Price: Free
Account: Not needed
Watermark: None
Privacy: Files are processed inside your browser and are never uploaded.
Works on: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone – in any modern browser
Install: Nothing to install

Text stays sharpPictures are made smaller while text, fonts and links stay untouched and searchable.

Exact size for formsNeed it under 100 KB, 200 KB or 1 MB? Choose Exact size and the tool finds the best quality that fits.

Never biggerIf a PDF cannot get smaller, your original file is kept.

How to use Compress PDF

Press Select PDF file and choose your PDF.
Pick Recommended, Strong or Extreme – or Exact size and type the KB your form allows.
Press Compress PDF and download the smaller file.

Which compression should I choose?

Basic cleans up the file structure without changing anything you can see – a small, lossless saving.
Recommended makes the pictures inside the PDF smaller (to 150 DPI) and leaves text, fonts, lines and links untouched. Text stays razor-sharp, selectable and searchable – usually 50–80% smaller for photo-heavy files.
Strong does the same with smaller pictures (96 DPI) for strict upload limits.
Extreme turns every page into one compressed picture – the strongest option for heavy scans. An invisible text layer keeps the words searchable and copyable.

Tick Make pictures grey for an even smaller file for printing, and Remove hidden metadata to strip author information and page thumbnails.

How much smaller will my PDF get?

Scans and photo PDFs shrink the most – often by 60–90%, because the pictures inside are made smaller.
Text documents made in Word are usually small already and may shrink only a little.
If a file does not get smaller, it is already well compressed – try a lower quality level or grayscale for scans.

Meeting an upload limit

Government, university and job portals often ask for files under 1 MB or 2 MB. Start with the recommended level; if it is still too large, choose the strongest level.
For very large scans, split the file with Split PDF or remove extra pages with Delete PDF Pages before compressing.
For photos (not PDFs) use Resize Image to KB.

Compress to an exact size

Online forms often say “maximum 200 KB”. Choose Exact size, type the limit and the tool tries gentle settings first, going stronger only until your PDF fits. Quick links: Compress PDF to 100KB · Compress PDF to 200KB · Compress PDF to 500KB · Compress PDF to 1MB.

Frequently asked questions

How can I reduce PDF size for an online form?

Choose Recommended and press Compress PDF – photo-heavy files often become 50–80% smaller, which is usually enough for job, university and government forms. If the file is still too big, try Strong, and for heavy scans Extreme.

What is the difference between Basic, Recommended and Strong?

Basic cleans up the file without any visible change. Recommended and Strong make the pictures inside the PDF smaller and keep all text, fonts and links exactly as they are. Extreme turns every page into one compressed picture for the smallest scans, with an invisible text layer so the words stay searchable.

Will the text still be selectable?

Yes, with every level. Basic, Recommended and Strong do not touch the text at all, and Extreme adds an invisible text layer so you can still select, copy and search the words.

Why did my PDF not get smaller?

Some PDFs are already well compressed, for example files that contain only plain text. When the new file would not be smaller, we keep your original and tell you, so you never download a worse copy.

Can I compress a scanned PDF?

Yes – scans usually shrink the most, because they consist of large photos. Recommended keeps them easy to read.

Is compressing PDFs here safe?

Yes. Compression happens in your browser and the file never leaves your device.

How do I compress a PDF to exactly 100 KB or 200 KB?

Choose Exact size, press the 100 KB or 200 KB button (or type any size) and press Compress PDF. The result is just under your limit at the best quality that fits.

Guides for this tool

Online Forms"Online Application Document Checklist: Photos, Scans, Signatures and File Sizes"

A practical checklist for job, university, exam, visa and government portals - preparing photos, signatures and scanned documents in the right format and size, naming files, and avoiding last-minute upload errors.

9 min read

Ebooks & Writing"EPUB vs PDF: Which E-book Format Should You Use?"

The real differences between EPUB and PDF for e-books, study material and self-published books, which one readers prefer on phones and e-readers, and how to convert between them.

10 min read

PDF GuidesHow to Convert a PDF to Black and White (and Save Printer Ink)

Turn colourful PDFs into grayscale or pure black and white for cheaper printing, smaller files and forms that demand monochrome. When to use each, and what to watch out for.