Compress a PDF to 100 KB, 200 KB or 500 KB
Most upload portals, bank forms and government sites cap PDFs at 100 KB, 200 KB, 500 KB or 1 MB. The reliable way to hit a cap is to compress to a target size rather than guessing a quality level.
Quick answer. Open Compress PDF, drop the file, choose "To a size", type 100 (or 200, 500) KB and press Compress. The tool tries progressively stronger settings until the file fits and shows you the final size before you download. Everything runs in your browser, so the document never leaves your computer.
Compress a PDF to a size → Free · opens Compress PDF
Step by step
- Go to Compress PDF and drop your file (or click Choose PDF).
- Pick "To a size" and type the limit in KB, for example 100.
- Press Compress. The result card shows the new size and the saving.
- Download. If the page count is high and the limit very low, tick Greyscale and run it again.
Tips that save a second attempt
- A one-page scan at 100 KB is comfortable; a ten-page scan at 100 KB will be legible but soft. For long documents, 500 KB or 1 MB keeps text crisp.
- If the PDF is text exported from Word, "Light" often gets under the limit while keeping the text selectable; try it first.
- Greyscale removes colour information and typically saves another 20 to 40 percent on scans.
- Need pages as images instead? Use PDF to JPG, then compress the JPGs with the Image Compressor.
Frequently asked questions
Will the text still be selectable?
With Light, yes. Medium, Strong and To a size rebuild each page as an image to reach the size, so text becomes a picture. For forms that only need to be read, that is fine.
What is the smallest a PDF can go?
Roughly 25 to 40 KB per page at the strongest setting in greyscale. A 20-page file cannot fit in 100 KB; split it with Split PDF first or raise the limit.
Is my document uploaded?
No. The compression runs inside your browser on your own device. Nothing is sent to a server and nothing is stored.