All tools / Compress PDF to 500 KB
Compress a PDF to under 500 KB
Set to a 500 KB target. Half a megabyte is a common ceiling for attachments on job and benefits sites, and fits a short document comfortably.
How to compress PDF to 500 KB
- Choose your PDF.
- Pick Keep text, or Smallest file and set a target size if you need one.
- Select Compress PDF and compare the new size.
Your file never leaves this tab.
Compress PDF to 500 KB runs as code inside your browser. The document is read from your device, changed in memory, and handed back to you as a download. There is no upload step and no copy on our servers.
That also means it keeps working on a plane or a slow connection once the page has loaded.
Check it yourself
- Open your browser developer tools and go to the Network tab.
- Use the tool on a file.
- You will see no request carrying your file anywhere.
Questions about Compress PDF to 500 KB
Will every PDF fit under 500 KB?
Most will, but not all. A long document of full-color pages may not fit under 500 KB without becoming unreadable. If the tool cannot reach the target, it gives you the smallest result it could and tells you the final size. For job and benefits sites, try splitting the document into parts first.
What is the difference between Keep text and Smallest file?
Keep text rewrites the file more efficiently and leaves text, links and fonts alone, so savings are modest. Smallest file turns each page into an image, which can shrink a PDF dramatically, but the text can no longer be selected or searched.
How does the target size work?
In Smallest file mode, the tool tests lower image quality and resolution until the result fits under your target. If a target is too low for the page count, it gets as close as it can and tells you.
Will my PDF look worse?
Keep text does not change how pages look. Smallest file lowers image sharpness. For documents you will print, try a larger target first.
Are my files sent to a server?
No. Compression is done in your browser, so confidential documents stay on your device.