PDF Tools
Compress PDF to 200 KB
Compress a PDF to under 200 KB - enough headroom for 5-10 page documents while meeting most portal size limits.
The algorithm
200 KB is a generous target that preserves high visual quality. The tool runs just a few compression attempts, usually landing between 150-200 KB with image quality close to the original scan.
Good choice for multi-page scans, academic transcripts, bank statements, or any document where you want to be safely under a 250 KB-500 KB upload cap.
A real use case
Common use: SSC exam forms specify 200 KB maximum for photo-document uploads. UK visa application portals similarly cap scans at 200-300 KB. This tool hits the limit precisely without over-compressing.
Common questions
Does the output lose any text clarity?
At 200 KB, loss is minimal for most documents. Only very detailed photographs or hand-signed areas may show noticeable JPEG compression.
Can I use this for e-filing tax documents?
Yes - most tax portals accept PDFs up to 200-500 KB. Verify the specific upload limit for your region before submitting.
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.