How to compress a PDF to 500KB (3 steps)
1) Upload your PDF
Upload the PDF you need under 500KB. If it’s long, consider splitting it first so you compress only what you must upload.
2) Start with Compact (then use Rasterize if needed)
Compact preserves readability. If the output is still above 500KB, switch to Rasterize and reduce quality/DPI gradually until the portal accepts it.
3) Download and verify the final size
Download the compressed PDF and verify the file size before uploading to your portal or form.
500KB feasibility (important)
If your PDF is a scan or photo-based document, 500KB can be difficult without quality loss. In that case, Rasterize is usually required, and you may need to split pages or reduce image resolution.
If readability is more important than a strict cap, use Compress to 1MB instead.
Compact vs Rasterize (when to use which)
| Situation | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Text-based PDF (resume, letter, exported form) | Compact | Keeps text crisp and usually reduces size without destroying readability. |
| Scanned PDF / photo-based pages | Rasterize | Scans are mostly images. Rasterize + lower DPI/quality produces the biggest reductions. |
| Still above 500KB after Compact | Rasterize | Reduce quality/DPI gradually until you hit ~500KB (or as close as possible). |
| Need searchable/selectable text after compression | Compact (then OCR if needed) | Rasterize can make pages image-based. If you rasterize, run OCR afterward to restore search/copy. |
Job / university / government portals
Many portals hard-reject PDFs above 500KB. This page is built specifically for strict caps and upload errors.
Application forms with size limits
Compress attachments to meet strict requirements without repeated failed uploads.
Faster uploads on slow connections
Smaller PDFs upload faster and are less likely to fail on mobile data or unstable networks.
Troubleshooting (when you still can’t hit 500KB)
My PDF won’t go under 500KB
This usually happens with scanned PDFs, high-resolution images, or many pages. Switch to Rasterize, reduce DPI/quality step-by-step, and if needed split the document into smaller parts.
The portal still rejects my upload
Some portals enforce additional rules (password protection, file type quirks, or hidden limits). Remove passwords, verify the final downloaded size, and retry.
Text became blurry or hard to read
Use Compact first. If Rasterize is required, reduce quality in small steps and avoid dropping DPI too aggressively.
My PDF is scanned and not searchable
Scanned PDFs are images, so Ctrl+F and copy/paste may not work even after compression. Run OCR after compressing to make the PDF searchable again.
Common questions (quick answers)
How do I reduce a PDF to 500KB?
Use Compact first. If it’s still too large, use Rasterize and reduce quality/DPI gradually. Scanned PDFs often require Rasterize.
How do I resize a PDF file to 500KB?
“Resize” usually means reducing image resolution and removing extra data. Rasterize rebuilds pages as compressed images to hit strict limits.
How do I keep quality while compressing?
For quality-first compression, use Compact mode and see compress without losing quality.
FAQ
How do I compress a PDF to 500KB online?
Upload your PDF, start with Compact (best readability), then download. If it’s still too large, switch to Rasterize and reduce quality/DPI gradually until you reach ~500KB.
Can you make a PDF exactly 500KB?
Sometimes, but not always. Image-heavy scans may not reach exactly 500KB without noticeable quality loss. In that case, reduce quality/DPI gradually or split the PDF into parts.
What’s the difference between Compact and Rasterize?
Compact optimizes the PDF while preserving structure (sharp text/vectors). Rasterize rebuilds pages as compressed images at a chosen quality/DPI for maximum reduction—best for strict limits like 500KB.
Why is my PDF stuck above 500KB?
Usually because it contains high-resolution images/scans, many pages, or is already optimized. Try Rasterize, lower DPI/quality gradually, remove extra pages, or split the file.
Will Rasterize affect text selection or Ctrl+F search?
Yes. Rasterize can make pages image-based, so text may no longer be selectable or searchable. If you need search afterward, run OCR after compressing.
Is my file uploaded during compression?
Yes. Your PDF is transferred over an encrypted TLS connection for processing. Avoid uploading extremely sensitive documents and review the Privacy Policy for details.
What should I do if the portal still rejects my PDF?
Confirm the downloaded file size, remove passwords, and consider splitting the PDF into smaller parts if multiple uploads are allowed.