Compress PDF

Pick a size limit and DocsBee tries to bring your PDF under it. It first tidies the file without changing how it looks, and only if you allow it will it turn pages into compressed images. Your file stays on your device.

Select PDF files

Drop PDF files here or choose files.

How to compress a PDF to a target size

  1. Choose your PDF.
  2. Pick a limit: 200 KB, 500 KB, 1 MB, or Custom. Custom accepts any value from 10 KB.
  3. Tick "Allow image compression when needed" if you need a big saving. Leave it off to keep text, links and forms.
  4. Select Compress PDF. The result shows the original size and the new size.
  5. Download the file and open it to check it before you send it.

Compress a PDF to 200 KB for a job application

Many online forms set a size limit for each upload. Limits such as 200 KB, 500 KB and 1 MB are common. Choose the limit from the list, or choose Custom for another number, for example 100 KB.

Plain text documents are often small already. Scans and photos are usually the big ones. A scanned certificate or ID will usually need image compression to get under 200 KB.

A size limit is a goal, not a promise. If DocsBee cannot reach it, the result says so and gives you the smallest file it could make. Then try fewer pages or a larger limit.

What quality will you lose?

Without image compression, nothing visible changes. The tool only saves the file again in a more compact way. The saving is often small.

With image compression, every page is drawn as a picture and saved as a JPEG. DocsBee tries three settings, from higher quality to lower, and stops at the first one that fits your limit. The lower settings make small text and photos look softer. The text can no longer be selected or searched, and links, forms and attachments are removed.

Tips and limits

  • Delete pages you do not need first with Delete PDF Pages. Fewer pages means a smaller file.
  • Choose the largest limit that you are allowed. A 1 MB limit keeps more quality than 200 KB.
  • Keep your original. You cannot turn the compressed copy back into the original.
  • A password-protected PDF must be unlocked first with Unlock PDF.
  • Very large files need a lot of memory. If it fails on a phone, try a computer.
  • KB here means 1,000 bytes.

Privacy: what happens to your file

Compression runs in your browser. Your PDF is not uploaded, and the smaller copy is saved to your device only. Our hosting provider may log ordinary page requests, but never your file.

Frequently asked questions

How do I compress a PDF to 200 KB?

Choose your PDF, pick 200 KB as the limit, and tick image compression if the file is a scan. Then select Compress PDF and check the result.

Can I compress a PDF to 100 KB?

Choose Custom and type 100. Whether it works depends on the file. A long scan may not fit. If it does not, DocsBee tells you and gives you the smallest result it made.

Why does it say "Size limit not reached"?

DocsBee tried its settings and the smallest result was still above your limit. Try a larger limit, or remove pages first.

Will my text stay sharp?

Without image compression, yes. With it, text is saved as part of a picture, so it can look softer and you cannot select it.