Compress PDF to 1MB
Compress a PDF to under 1MB, free. Reduce the PDF file size to the limit your form asks for. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.
How it works
- Choose your PDF. It opens on your own device and is not sent anywhere.
- Each page is redrawn as an image, and quality is lowered step by step until the whole file is under 1MB.
- Drag the slider if your form asks for a different limit, then download the smaller PDF.
Tips for a 1MB limit
This limit holds a short multi-page document, such as a set of certificates, with text that stays easy to read. Colour scans use the space up roughly three times faster than greyscale ones.
How many pages fit in 1MB
A rough guide for scanned pages. Pages of plain text shrink further than pages with photos.
| Page quality | Pages that fit in 1MB |
|---|---|
| Sharp, small print stays readable | About 10 |
| Readable, normal text is clear | About 20 |
| Rough, large text only | About 40 |
When a PDF will not shrink enough
Remove pages the form does not ask for, or split the file and upload the parts separately if that is allowed. Scans made in black and white are far smaller than colour scans.
Questions
Is my file uploaded to a server?
No. All the work happens inside your browser. The file never leaves your phone or computer.
Should I merge my documents before or after compressing?
Merge first, then compress the single file. Compressing the combined PDF lets every page share the limit evenly.
Can I still select text in the compressed PDF?
No. Pages become images, which is what makes the file so much smaller. Keep your original if you need selectable text.
Why could it not reach my limit?
A PDF with many pages has a floor on how small it can get while staying readable. Use fewer pages or allow a larger size.