How to reduce a PDF file size to upload it
Upload forms and email often reject files over a few megabytes, and scanned documents in particular can be huge. The fix is to compress the PDF so it fits, without turning the text into mush.
This guide shows how to get a PDF under a size limit and what to do if one pass is not enough.
Compress the PDF
- 1Open the Compress PDF tool and add your file.
- 2Use Quick mode first: it runs on your device and handles most files.
- 3Check the new size. If you still need smaller, the Smart and Max modes compress harder.
If it is still too big
Most PDF weight is scanned images. If a document has pages you do not need to submit, remove them first, then compress. Fewer pages plus compression usually gets well under a 2 MB cap.
Keep only the pages you needFrequently asked questions
- How do I get a PDF under 2 MB?
- Compress it, and if it is still too large, remove any pages you do not need before compressing again. Scanned images are usually what makes a PDF large.
- Will compressing make the text blurry?
- Text stays sharp because it is not an image. Compression mainly re-encodes embedded pictures and scans to a sensible resolution.
- Is compression private?
- Quick compression runs in your browser with no upload. The stronger modes upload securely and delete the file straight after.