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.

Related Tools