Compress PDF to 1 MB
Shrink a large PDF to under 1 MB for e-mail and upload limits without losing readability. Free, in your browser, nothing uploaded.
Runs on your device. Nothing is sent to a server. Balanced and Strong turn pages into images, so text is no longer selectable.
1 MB is the most common limit on portals that accept whole documents: immigration, tenders, course applications and company e-mail gateways. Scanned PDFs are often 5 to 20 MB, so they need a real reduction but not a harsh one.
The widget is preset to 1 MB. Almost every document fits on the first pass at 144 dpi, which looks like the original on screen.
Who asks for this size
| Where 1 MB is required | Typical rule |
|---|---|
| Immigration and visa supporting documents | Under 1 MB per file |
| Tender and procurement submissions | Under 1 MB to 5 MB |
| Course and scholarship application PDFs | Under 1 MB |
| E-mail to companies with strict gateways | Under 1 MB per attachment |
What to expect
Twenty scanned pages typically fit in 1 MB at 144 dpi in colour. Text is sharp, stamps and signatures are clear, photos are slightly softer than the scan.
A text PDF exported from an office program is usually already under 1 MB; the first pass just confirms it.
Tips
- Compress once at 1 MB and keep that copy as your standard upload version.
- If the portal allows 2 MB, still aim at 1 MB; uploads are faster and you leave room for the portal's own checks.
- Keep the original for printing; the compressed copy is for screens and uploads.
Questions
Will the PDF look different?
On screen, no. Zoomed in at 300 percent you would notice that pages are images rather than vector text.
Can I compress a PDF with 100 pages?
Yes, within the 100 MB input limit. It takes longer because every page is rendered; keep the tab open.
Does the file keep its bookmarks and links?
No. The rebuilt PDF has pages only. Use the Light level on the main Compress PDF page if you need links kept.
Is anything stored?
Nothing. Close the tab and the file is gone from memory.