Compress a PDF to under 1 MB

Try to bring a scanned or image-heavy PDF under 1 MB for an upload. The tool reports the actual size and keeps existing text and vector content intact.

Choose file

Your PDF is processed on this device and never uploaded. We don't see, store or log your files.

Common sizes

How it works

Tap Choose file and pick your PDF.
Tap Compress PDF to try the supported image settings for a 1 MB target. Some PDFs may remain above the limit.
Download or share the new PDF, and check the size shown in the result.

Understand the 1,000,000-byte target

This page uses decimal 1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes, which is also below a binary 1 MiB cap of 1,048,576 bytes. Read the receiving form’s limit carefully. Ten pages share an average of 100,000 bytes per page before PDF overhead; that calculation is a budget, not a forecast of scan quality.

Check a longer scan page by page

A long document can contain both sharp text scans and detailed photographs. Image compression may affect them differently, even though the pages stay in order. After downloading, inspect the smallest text, tables and signatures throughout the document rather than judging only the first page.

When an image-heavy PDF cannot reach 1 MB

No output size is guaranteed: PDF structure, already compressed images and unsupported image formats can limit savings. If the smallest result stays above 1,000,000 bytes, use the adjustable target only if the portal allows a larger file, or split the document where separate uploads are accepted.

Frequently asked questions

My scan is 8 MB. Will it fit in 1 MB?

Not necessarily. Reducing 8 MB to 1 MB requires a large saving, and the result depends on the embedded images and PDF structure. The tool tries its supported settings and reports whether the limit was reached; inspect all pages for readable detail.

Is 1 MB 1,000 KB or 1,024 KB?

Sites count it both ways. We use 1,000: a "1 MB" file here is at most 1,000,000 bytes, so it also passes a form that counts 1,048,576.

Is my PDF uploaded?

No. Everything happens in your browser on your own device.

Last reviewed: October 18, 2026