PDF Tools
Compress PDF to 100 KB
Compress a PDF to under 100 KB - the most common upload limit for job applications, exam portals, and HR document systems worldwide.
The algorithm
100 KB is a comfortable target for most 1-5 page documents. The tool preserves readable text and reasonable image quality while fitting under the limit.
Scanned CVs, cover letters, and multi-page application forms typically fit cleanly. The binary-search algorithm finds the best quality that fits - often producing a file that looks almost identical to the original at a tenth of the size.
A real use case
Common use: Online job portals (Naukri, LinkedIn Easy Apply, Workday) frequently cap uploads at 100 KB. A typical scanned CV starts around 500 KB-1 MB; this tool compresses it to under 100 KB while keeping it readable.
Common questions
What's the typical quality at 100 KB?
For most documents, the result is visually close to the original. Fine print and photos lose some sharpness, but body text and typical scans remain fully legible.
My PDF is already under 100 KB - what happens?
The tool detects this and skips compression, giving you back the original file. No lossy re-encoding is applied.
Is this really private?
Yes. The whole compression runs in your browser using JavaScript and Canvas APIs. Your PDF is never uploaded, stored, or seen by us. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and it will still work.
Will the text still be selectable in the compressed PDF?
For aggressive KB targets, each page is rasterized into a JPEG and embedded as an image, which makes text non-selectable. If you need searchable text, pick a larger target or use the regular compressor at /tools/pdf-compressor/.
What file size can I compress?
Up to around 200 MB on most devices. Very large or very long PDFs may exceed browser memory limits - if that happens, try splitting the PDF into smaller sections first.
Why does my file end up slightly under the target rather than exactly at it?
The tool uses a binary search to find the highest JPEG quality that still fits under the target. It stops at the first setting that lands under the limit, so output is always a little below the ceiling - which is exactly what upload portals want.