Some application and onboarding forms limit each file to 500 KB, typically for ID scans, licenses and certificates. Drop the file in below and the limit is already set to 500 KB.
Compress a PDF to under 500 KB
Shrink an ID scan, license, certificate or short document to under 500 KB. You get the sharpest version that still fits.
Opening the PDF…
Common limits: Under 2 MB · Under 1 MB · Under 500 KB · Under 200 KB
More free PDF tools: Candidate submittal pack · Merge PDFs · Remove pages · Resume redactor
Runs in your browser. Your PDF is not uploaded, stored or sent anywhere.
Will it still be readable at 500 KB?
For a page or two, usually yes. The tool tries the sharpest settings first and only steps down until the file fits, so you get the clearest version under 500 KB, not the smallest possible one. For longer files, cut pages you do not need first.
What makes a scan small enough?
| Do this | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Crop phone photos to the document edge | Background table and floor add size and nothing else |
| Send only the pages the form asks for | A license back page or blank page doubles the file |
| Scan in black and white when color is not needed | Gray pages compress far smaller than color ones |
Frequently asked questions
Why did my text stop being selectable?
Getting a scan this small means rebuilding pages as images. For a resume that a system has to read, export a new PDF from your document instead; it is usually well under 500 KB.
Does this cost anything?
No. It is free, with no account, and the file stays on your device.
Need a different size? Compress a PDF to 2 MB, 1 MB or 200 KB, or use the main compress a PDF tool.
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