Target size

Compress a PDF to under 200 KB

Compress a PDF to under 200 KB when a form sets a tight cap per file. One-page forms, ID scans and short documents usually fit, and the tool shows where your file stands before you run it.

Drop your PDF here

or click to browse, or paste with Ctrl+V

Choose files

Each file up to 500 MB / 500 pages, up to 3 files at a time

First time? See the 1-minute guide

Fits, close or out of reach: told first
Split by pages when needed
A missed target is never charged

Compressed page — Real output on a sample invoice scan (made-up company and figures): page 1 of 3, compressed with the Recommended option. Drag the slider, then zoom in.

Original page — Real output on a sample invoice scan (made-up company and figures): page 1 of 3, compressed with the Recommended option. Drag the slider, then zoom in.

How it works

How to compress a PDF to 200 KB

Drop your PDF
The custom size box already reads 0.2 MB. That is 200 KB, so there is no unit to convert.
See where the file stands
Within seconds the estimate says whether it will land under 200 KB, sits close to the limit, or needs splitting.
Trim pages if it’s close
Cover sheets and blank pages take space nobody reads. Removing them is often enough to slip under the limit.
Compress and download
Press Compress PDF, check the new size on the results page, zoom into signatures and stamps, then download.

Why it’s different

A 200 KB limit without guesswork

Three outcomes, stated plainly

Fits, close or out of reach is spelled out in one short line before you press anything, with the smallest estimated size.

Close calls still get a try

If the smallest level is only just above 200 KB, the tool still tries one file, and a miss costs nothing.

Text and red stamps stay legible

At tight limits the tool favors readable text and stamps over hitting the number at any cost.

Good to know

Why is 200 KB hard to reach?

An A4 page scanned at a readable resolution can weigh a few hundred kilobytes before compression. Compression strips the waste, but each page still needs a certain amount of detail so letters don’t break up. More pages and more color photos make 200 KB tighter.

In our tests, sample scans of one to three pages went under 200 KB easily. Files of 6 to 10 pages landed close to the limit, where the tool tries one file and charges nothing for a miss. A scan of around 30 pages could not fit in one file; if the form allows up to 500 KB, compress a PDF to 500 KB is the better fit.

Chance of reaching 200 KB by file
File	Chance of reaching 200 KB	Tip
A one-page form	Usually fits	Compress straight at the preset size
A 2–5 page scan	Usually or can fit	Read the estimate, drop blank pages if close
A 6–10 page scan	Close, can fit	Try it: a miss costs nothing
Dozens of scanned pages	Hard in one file	Split into parts under 200 KB

Does 200 KB mean 1,000 or 1,024?

This page sets 200 KB as 200,000 bytes. A site that counts in 1,024s allows 204,800 bytes, more than the tool aims for. So a file that fits here is safe whichever way the form counts.

How do I send only the pages that matter?

Many recipients only need the signed page or the main information page. Open Organize PDF to delete unneeded pages right on the thumbnails, download the new file and drop it here. Fewer pages leave more of the 200 KB for each one.

If you only need a few pages out of a long file, Split PDF extracts exactly those into a new file.

What about a digitally signed PDF?

Digitally signed files are not compressed, because any change inside the file invalidates the digital signature. If the recipient wants the signed version and it is over 200 KB, ask them for another way to submit it, or compress the scan before signing.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Will compressing several times get it under 200 KB?

Hardly. A second pass mostly blurs the text. Drop the original and set 200 KB once; if it is still too big, split the file or remove pages instead. Each extra pass also uses credits for almost no gain, so one pass from the original is enough.

Am I charged if 200 KB isn’t reached?

No. If you set a size and the result stays above 200 KB, that run isn’t charged. You can split the file into parts under 200 KB right afterwards. If you still want the smallest version the tool produced, it is charged like a run at the matching level.

Can an ID card or passport photo saved as PDF get under 200 KB?

Usually, if the photo is tightly framed and it is only a page or two. Convert the image to PDF first, then drop that PDF on this page to read the estimate.

Is compressing PDFs free?

Compression uses credits, but you get free credits to try it: 20 credits on your first visit and 5 free credits every day. Compressing one file up to 50 MB at the Recommended level costs 3 credits. You see the credits before you press Compress PDF.

When do I pay, and for what?

Only after you have seen what you get. The estimated size and a preview of your own page appear before anything is charged, and you only pay for files you receive: if a file can’t get smaller you get the original back free, and a size target that can’t be reached costs nothing.

How long do you keep my files?

Files are deleted automatically after processing: 24 hours on the free tier, 3 days for paid files. You can press “Delete now” at any time. Only you can download files from your results page, unless you create a share link yourself (up to 24 hours or until the file is deleted, and you can revoke it). Files are never sent by email.