Compress a PDF to a Target File Size

Shrink an image-heavy PDF to a target size in KB so it fits email and upload limits. No ads.

We get as close as possible; some PDFs won't reach very small targets.

How it works

Upload a PDF and set a target size in KB. This tool shrinks the file by recompressing the images embedded inside it — the part of most large PDFs that actually takes up space. We'll get your file as close to your target as we can, but a PDF can only shrink so far before the images degrade, so very small targets may not be reachable. If we can't hit your exact number, you'll still get the smallest high-quality version we can produce, and we'll tell you the result. If a PDF is text-only with no compressible images, we'll tell you up front and won't charge you.

When to use this

  • A scanned document too big to email. Scans are image-heavy and balloon in size — exactly what this tool shrinks best.
  • An upload form that rejects your PDF. Job portals, government forms, and submission systems often cap PDF size; compress to fit under the limit.
  • An image-rich report or portfolio. PDFs full of photos or screenshots compress well by recompressing those images.
  • Need to compress images on their own instead? Use the compress image to size tool.

Common mistakes

  • Expecting a text-only PDF to shrink. If there are no images to recompress, there's little to remove — the file is already about as small as it gets.
  • Expecting an exact file size. PDF size depends on its content; we guarantee best-effort toward your target and tell you honestly if it wasn't reached.
  • Setting an impossibly small target. Asking a 10 MB photo-heavy PDF for 100 KB will degrade it badly or fall short. Pick a realistic target.