Compress PDF to Target Size

Set a target size and compress PDFs for upload limits. Works in browser with no server upload.

or drop files here

Maximum file size: 100MB per file

Choose 100KB / 200KB / 500KB / 1MB presets or set a custom value.

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Learn more about this tool

About Target Size PDF Compression

Many submission portals and email systems require PDF files under a strict size limit. This tool renders and re-encodes PDF pages in your browser, then iterates compression settings to approach your target size. Whether you are preparing bilingual English and French documents, submitting files to CRA and Service Canada, or collaborating cross-border with US teams, this tool keeps your files lean and aligned with Canadian privacy expectations — nothing leaves your device.

When to Use

Email Attachments

Keep PDF under attachment limits like 25MB.

Application Forms

Meet strict upload limits on school, visa, and government portals.

Cloud Storage

Save storage space for large document collections.

Fast Sharing

Share PDFs faster on chat apps and collaboration tools.

How to Compress a PDF to 200KB or Any Size

1

Upload your PDF files

Choose one or more PDF documents from your device that need to fit a file-size limit.

2

Set the target size

Pick a preset such as 100KB, 200KB, 500KB, or 1MB, or enter a custom size target.

3

Compress and download

Process the PDFs in your browser and download the results once the target is reached or the closest best-effort size is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I compress a PDF to exactly 200KB?

The tool tries to reach your selected target as closely as possible. Exact results depend on the original PDF content, especially scanned pages and large images.

Is this browser-based PDF compressor private?

Yes. PDF compression runs in your browser, so your documents are not uploaded to our servers.

Will PDF quality change?

To reach smaller targets, the tool may reduce image detail inside the PDF. Text and layout remain readable for most everyday upload and sharing needs.

Can I compress multiple PDFs at once?

Yes. You can add multiple PDF files, compress them in one batch, and download the results together.

Can I set a custom target size like 300KB?

Yes. Along with presets for 100KB, 200KB, 500KB, and 1MB, you can enter any custom target between about 50KB and 50MB. Type your number, start compression, and the tool iterates image quality and resolution until your file lands as close as possible.

Does the compressor work on scanned PDFs?

Yes. Scanned pages are treated as images and re-encoded with adjusted JPEG quality and DPI. A 10MB scan typically compresses to 500KB or below, though text pages may look slightly softer at extreme targets like 100KB. Born-digital text stays crisp throughout.

Is there a maximum PDF file size I can compress?

There is no server cap because files stay on your device; limits come from your browser memory. PDFs up to roughly 100MB or 200 pages compress smoothly on modern computers with 8GB of RAM, while older machines may struggle above 50MB.

What happens if my PDF is already smaller than the target size?

If your file is already under the target, it is passed through with light optimization only, so it never grows. A 150KB PDF aimed at 200KB downloads essentially unchanged within seconds, and no re-encoding quality loss is introduced.

References & Resources

Authoritative specifications and references for the file formats this tool works with.