ExactKB

Compress PDF to 2MB

Compress a PDF to under 2MB, free. Reduce the PDF file size to the limit your form asks for. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.

Choose PDFor drop it here. It is compressed straight away.

How it works

  1. Choose your PDF. It opens on your own device and is not sent anywhere.
  2. Each page is redrawn as an image, and quality is lowered step by step until the whole file is under 2MB.
  3. Drag the slider if your form asks for a different limit, then download the smaller PDF.

Tips for a 2MB limit

A limit this generous keeps a long document readable and leaves room for pages with photos or stamps. If your file is already under it, the original is returned untouched.

How many pages fit in 2MB

A rough guide for scanned pages. Pages of plain text shrink further than pages with photos.

Page qualityPages that fit in 2MB
Sharp, small print stays readableAbout 20
Readable, normal text is clearAbout 40
Rough, large text onlyAbout 81

When a PDF will not shrink enough

Remove pages the form does not ask for, or split the file and upload the parts separately if that is allowed. Scans made in black and white are far smaller than colour scans.

Questions

Is my file uploaded to a server?

No. All the work happens inside your browser. The file never leaves your phone or computer.

Why did my PDF come back unchanged?

It was already under the limit. The original is kept as it is so that its text stays selectable.

Can I still select text in the compressed PDF?

No. Pages become images, which is what makes the file so much smaller. Keep your original if you need selectable text.

Why could it not reach my limit?

A PDF with many pages has a floor on how small it can get while staying readable. Use fewer pages or allow a larger size.

Other sizes