How to compress a PDF
- Choose or drop your PDF.
- The maximum size is already set to 500 KB; change it if you need another.
- Click Compress.
- Download the compressed PDF.
What is it for?
A 500 KB limit is common on study platforms, job portals and application forms. This tool tries lower and lower qualities until the PDF fits in 500 KB, and if the text alone is already too big you can switch to “Maximum compression”.
Everything happens on your device, so your documents are never uploaded to a server.
Limits to keep in mind
- If the PDF is mostly text, it may not get below 500 KB without switching to “Maximum compression”, which turns the text into an image.
- The smaller the target, the more image quality you lose.
- Password-protected PDFs can’t be processed: remove the protection first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reduce a PDF to 500 KB?
Drop the PDF and click Compress: the maximum size is already set to 500 KB. The tool looks for the best quality that stays under that size.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. Compression happens in your browser, on your device. Your document is not sent anywhere.
What if it does not reach 500 KB?
If it is still too big, choose “Maximum compression”, which turns every page into an image, or try a PDF with fewer pages.
Do I lose quality?
A little, because a smaller file needs more compression. The tool keeps the best quality that fits the requested size.