CNTools

Compress PDF Online

Shrink a PDF to a target file size — 200KB, 500KB, 1MB, or custom. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded to any server.

How to Use

  1. 1

    Upload your PDF

    Drag and drop a PDF file into the upload box, or click to browse.

  2. 2

    Choose a target size

    Pick a preset — 200KB, 500KB, 1MB — or enter a custom size in KB.

  3. 3

    Compress and download

    Click "Compress PDF", see the before/after size, and download the smaller file.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reduce a PDF file size to a specific KB?

Upload your PDF, choose a target size preset (200KB, 500KB, 1MB) or type a custom size in KB, then click "Compress PDF". The tool re-renders each page as an optimized image and rebuilds the PDF to get as close to your target size as possible.

Will compressing a PDF make the text unselectable?

Yes. To reach small target sizes reliably, each page is converted into a compressed image and reassembled into a new PDF. This works best for scanned documents, forms, and photo-heavy PDFs. If you need to keep selectable text, avoid heavy compression or use a different tool.

Why can't the tool always hit my exact target size?

Some PDFs (especially those with many high-resolution pages) cannot be shrunk to a very small target without becoming unreadable. In that case, the tool returns the smallest reasonable result it could produce and shows you the achieved size.

Is my PDF uploaded to a server?

No. Compression runs entirely inside your browser using pdf.js and pdf-lib. Your file never leaves your device, so there is no privacy risk.

What is a good target size for exam application uploads?

Many government exam portals (TNPSC, SSC, UPSC) cap PDF uploads at 200KB–1MB for certificates and documents. Check the specific portal's requirement and pick the closest preset, or enter a custom size.

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