Compress PDF for Upload

Make a PDF smaller for email and portal limits — under 1MB, 2MB or whatever the site allows. Free browser PDF compressor, no signup.

Drop your PDF here

or click the button below to choose

Choose PDF

100% free · your files never leave your device

When a PDF is “fine” but still rejected

Scanned forms, multi-page applications and photo-heavy PDFs often sit at 5–20MB. Email caps and government upload fields commonly stop at 1MB or 2MB. Compressing the PDF structure and embedded images is usually enough to get accepted without reprinting everything.

This tool rewrites the PDF in your browser so you can download a lighter file and retry the upload immediately.

What compression can and cannot do

Image-heavy and scanned PDFs shrink the most. Text-only PDFs may only drop a little because there is less redundant data. Choose a stronger level when the portal is strict; use a lighter level when print quality matters more.

Your document never leaves the device. There is no server queue and no watermark on the output.

Key features

Upload-size focused

Aim for common 1MB and 2MB portal caps without desktop software.

Works on scans

Strongest gains on image-heavy and scanned PDFs.

Runs locally

The file stays on your device throughout.

Free and unlimited

No account, no daily quota, no branded stamp.

Supported formats and limits

PDF (up to ~100MB practical browser limit)

Common upload errors this fixes

“PDF must be under 2MB”
“File size exceeds the maximum allowed”
“Attachment too large”
“Please upload a smaller PDF”
“Maximum upload size is 1MB”

Your privacy is built in

Compress PDF for Upload runs locally in your browser — your file never leaves your device and is never uploaded to a server. No account, no watermark, and completely free.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a PDF under 1MB or 2MB?

Often yes for scans and image-heavy files — pick a stronger compression level and check the new size before uploading. Extremely large scans may need a lower scan DPI or fewer pages first.

Will text stay readable?

Moderate compression usually keeps text clear. Very aggressive levels can soften scanned pages; try a middle setting first.

Is the PDF uploaded to a server?

No. Compression runs in your browser. The file never leaves your device.

Is there a file size limit?

You can try PDFs up to about 100MB. Very large files may be slower on older phones because everything is held in memory.

Looking for something else? Browse all free online tools.