Free tools/Free recruiter tool
Compress a PDF: shrink a resume or scan under an upload limit
- $0to use
- Nosignup
What it does
Shrink a PDF to fit under a job board, ATS or email upload limit, or any exact size. See the new size before you download.
Why it matters: many job boards and applicant tracking systems cap uploads at 2 MB or 5 MB, and email often stops around 20 MB. A scanned resume or a packet of photographed documents blows straight past that. Shrink it here and see the new size before you download.
Compress a PDF
Shrink a resume, a scan or a document packet so it fits under an upload limit on a job board, ATS or email. Pick an exact size if a site gives you one, and see the new size before you download.
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.
Which level to pick
| Level | Best for | Text selectable? |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Resumes made in Word or Google Docs | Yes |
| Medium | Scans and photos that need to stay crisp | No |
| Strong | Big scans where size matters most | No |
| Fit under a size | Meeting a hard limit such as 2 MB | Depends on the level it needs |
Frequently asked questions
Should I compress my resume before applying?
Only if it is over the site’s limit. A resume made from a document is usually small already. If you use Medium or Strong, the text becomes a picture and an ATS may not be able to read it, so keep Light for resumes whenever you can.
Why did Light not make my file smaller?
Light only tidies how the file is stored. Most of a large PDF’s size is usually images, which only Medium and Strong shrink.
Is my file uploaded?
No. Compression happens in your browser and nothing is stored.
Have an exact limit? Compress a PDF to 2 MB, 1 MB, 500 KB or 200 KB. Still too big? Remove pages you do not need first. More free PDF tools: merge PDFs and JPG to PDF.
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