Reduce PDF size for an online application
If a form rejected your PDF as too large, enter the limit it states. The box starts at 300 KB, so change it to match your form.
Rebuilds your PDF as compact images so it lands under the size you need. Best for scanned documents and photos; text won't stay selectable.
Advanced
Before you upload
Check the form's instructions for four things: the maximum size, any minimum size, whether colour is required, and how many pages it accepts. Enter a minimum under Advanced if there is one. Open the result and read every page before you submit it, because you may not get a second chance.
Want to know how it works, or need a different limit? See the main Compress PDF to exact KB page. For a photo or signature, see the rules for each portal.
Frequently asked questions
Is my file uploaded?
No. Everything runs inside your browser, on your device. Nothing is sent to a server, so private documents stay private.
Why can't I select the text afterwards?
To guarantee the size, each page is rebuilt as an image. Text can no longer be selected or searched, and form fields and links are lost. Scanned documents lose nothing, because they are already images.
Why can't my PDF go below a certain size?
Every page needs some bytes to stay readable, so the limit depends on the number of pages. Try greyscale or a lower DPI under Advanced, or send fewer pages. If the target can't be reached, the result tells you the smallest size it managed.
My form also sets a minimum size. What then?
Enter it under Advanced. If the rebuilt PDF is too small, the tool adds blank padding that viewers ignore, so the pages don't change. The result tells you when this happens.
What limit should I use for a form?
Use the number in the form's instructions. If it counts 1 KB as 1,000 bytes, set a limit slightly lower than stated, because this tool counts 1 KB as 1,024 bytes.