FileopiaCompress PDF to a target size
Compress a PDF to an exact size such as 100 KB, 200 KB, 500 KB or 1 MB. Free, no upload, no sign-up – it runs in your browser.
- Upload
- Options
- Download
- ✓ 100% free
- ✓ No sign-up
- ✓ No limits
- 🔒 Files never leave your device
How to: Compress PDF to Exact Size
- Choose the PDF you need to make smaller.
- Enter the target size and pick KB or MB.
- Click Start – the tool tries the gentlest method first and downloads the largest file that fits.
Most PDF compressors give you vague levels like ‘low’ or ‘high’ and leave you to guess whether the result will pass a portal’s size check. Fileopia lets you type the limit itself – 100 KB, 250 KB, 1 MB – and does the trial and error for you, entirely in your browser.
Common uses
- Meet upload limits on job, exam, visa and admission portals.
- Fit attachments under email and helpdesk limits.
- Shrink scanned documents from phone scanner apps.
- Prepare court, tax and insurance e-filing documents.
Tips for best results
- Remove blank or unnecessary pages first with Delete pages.
- Scan in grayscale – it is much smaller than colour.
- Aim 5–10% below the limit to allow for how a portal counts bytes.
- If you must keep text selectable, set a slightly larger target.
The three stages
Stage one rebuilds the file losslessly and removes junk. Stage two decodes every photo or scan inside the PDF and re-encodes it as JPEG, stepping from 2000 px at high quality down to about 400 px, checking the size each time. Stage three renders every page as an image and searches combinations of resolution (from about 144 dpi down to about 30 dpi) and JPEG quality, keeping the largest result that fits, so you get the best quality the limit allows.
Why some PDFs barely shrink
A PDF made purely of text and vector graphics is already compact; most of its size is fonts. Such files rarely need compressing, and rasterizing them can even make them bigger. Scans and photo-heavy files, on the other hand, can usually shrink by 80–95%.
Why use Fileopia for Compress PDF to Exact Size?
| Fileopia | Typical upload-based sites | |
|---|---|---|
| Files uploaded to a server | No – processed on your device | Yes |
| Sign-up required | Never | Often for bigger jobs |
| Hourly / daily task limits | None | Common on free plans |
| Watermark on output | Never | Sometimes |
| Works offline after loading | Yes, for most tools | No |
Your files never leave your device
Compress PDF to Exact Size runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript and WebAssembly. Your files are read from your disk into this tab, processed in memory and saved straight back to your downloads folder – they are never uploaded to Fileopia or any third party.
- Test it yourself: once this page has loaded, switch off Wi‑Fi or mobile data and run the tool – it keeps working.
- Check the network: open your browser’s developer tools (F12 → Network) while processing; you will see no file upload requests.
- Nothing to delete: close the tab and the data is gone – there is no server copy, no retention period and no account.
Frequently asked questions
How does it hit an exact size?
It works in stages. First a lossless rebuild, then images are recompressed at steadily lower resolution and quality while text stays vector. Only if that is not enough does it turn pages into images, searching resolution and quality until the file is just under your limit.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Everything happens on your device, so confidential documents never leave it. You can even switch off Wi-Fi after the page loads.
What if the target is impossible?
You get the smallest file that could be produced and a clear warning, so you can split the PDF or remove pages instead.
Will text still be selectable?
Yes whenever image recompression alone reaches the target. If pages have to be rasterized, untick the option to keep text and accept a larger file.
KB or kB?
The tool uses 1 KB = 1024 bytes, which matches how Windows and most portals measure. Enter a slightly lower number if a portal uses 1000.
Is there a page or file limit?
No hourly or daily limits. Very large PDFs are limited only by your device memory.
Does it work on phones?
Yes, on Android and iPhone browsers. Big scans are faster on a laptop.
Is it really free?
Yes – no watermark, no account, no trial.
Can I compress several PDFs to this size?
Run each file in turn – there is no queue or wait, and no limit on how many.
Should I use this or the regular Compress PDF tool?
Use this page when a form states a maximum size. Use Compress PDF when you just want a smaller file with the best quality.
Is Compress PDF to Exact Size really free?
Yes. Every tool on Fileopia is 100% free with no file limits, no sign-up and no watermarks. The site is supported by unobtrusive ads.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Fileopia processes your files directly in your browser using JavaScript. Your documents never leave your device, so they stay completely private.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. Fileopia works in any modern browser on Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Mac and Linux.