Stayput Tools

Compress a PDF to the size you need

Enter the limit your upload form or email allows and get a PDF that fits under it. Text is kept selectable when possible, and your file never leaves your device.

Files stay on your device. Free, with no sign-up.

  1. 1Add PDF files
  2. 2Adjust
  3. 3Download

    How it works

    1. Add one or more PDFs.
    2. Enter the size limit, for example 200 KB.
    3. Press Compress PDF and download the result.

    Why enter a size instead of choosing a level

    Upload forms and email systems care about one number: the size limit. Guessing a compression level and checking the result again and again wastes time, so here you type the limit and the tool works out how much each page has to give up to fit.

    If the PDF is already under your limit it is returned untouched, so you never lose quality for nothing.

    Getting a stubborn PDF under the limit

    Scanned documents are the hardest, because every page is a picture. If the result is too soft, remove pages you do not need first, split the document into two parts, or raise the limit a little. A few kilobytes more often makes a large difference to how readable the pages are.

    Frequently asked questions

    How does it get the PDF under my size?

    First it tries to shrink the file without touching its pages. If that is enough, your text stays selectable. If not, every page is saved as an image and the size budget is shared out page by page: pages with little on them use less, which leaves more room for the busy ones.

    Will I still be able to select and copy the text?

    Only if the file could be shrunk enough without touching its pages, and the result says so when that happens. Otherwise each page becomes an image, so the text is no longer selectable or searchable.

    What if it cannot reach my size?

    You are told the closest size it could reach, and you still get that file. A higher limit, fewer pages (see Remove Pages or Split PDF) or a lower-resolution original are the usual fixes.

    Why is the result a little under my limit?

    It aims just below your limit on purpose. It also counts 1 KB as 1,000 bytes, so the file passes upload forms that count either 1,000 or 1,024 bytes per KB.

    Are my files uploaded anywhere?

    No. Everything happens inside your browser, on your own device. Your files are never sent to a server, and you can confirm that in your browser's network tab. Close the tab and they're gone.

    Is there a file size limit?

    Each file can be up to 100 MB, and up to 300 MB in total. Because the work happens on your device, very large files depend on your available memory. A desktop browser handles them best.

    Can I use a password-protected PDF?

    Not directly. Use Unlock PDF on this site to remove the password (you need to know it), then add the unlocked copy here.

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