Compress PDF to 500KB
Compress a PDF to 500KB or less online for free — the limit is preset to 500KB, so just drop your PDF. Lossless compression is tried first; if that isn't enough, you get the sharpest version that still fits. Runs 100% in your browser.
100% private — your PDF never leaves your browser. Conversion happens on your device; nothing is uploaded.
Lossless compression is tried first, so text stays selectable when that’s enough. If not, pages are turned into optimised images at the highest quality that fits your limit. Page sizes never change. Your PDF never leaves your device.
How to compress a PDF to 500KB
- Drop your PDF here, or click to choose it — the limit is already set to 500KB.
- Tick grayscale if colour doesn't matter — it makes files much smaller.
- Click “Compress PDF”. The tool tries lossless compression first, then finds the best quality that fits.
- Download the PDF — it's now under 500KB.
What you can use it for
- Uploads with a 500 KB limit
- Multi-page scans that need to stay readable
- Portfolios and reports for email
- Tender and procurement submissions
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See all free PDF tools →Frequently asked questions
How do I compress a PDF to 500KB?
Drop the PDF in and click “Compress PDF”. The limit is already 500KB; the tool tests different quality levels and saves the sharpest version that fits.
Will my PDF still have selectable text?
If lossless compression is enough to reach the limit, yes — nothing else changes. If not, pages are turned into optimised images to fit, and the result tells you so; text in that copy can't be selected.
Why can't my PDF get small enough?
Very long or image-heavy PDFs may not fit a small limit and stay readable. The tool then gives you the smallest readable version — try removing pages with Delete PDF Pages, splitting the file, or turning on grayscale.
Will a 500 KB PDF look good?
Yes for most documents — at 500 KB there's room for sharp text and reasonable images, often without converting pages to images at all.
Will it be exactly 500KB?
It will be just under. The tool aims about 3% below 500KB so the file passes upload checks whether a site counts 1 KB as 1,000 or 1,024 bytes.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Compression runs entirely in your browser, so documents with personal details never leave your device.