How to Compress a PDF to 100 KB or 200 KB (Free, Step by Step)
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How to Compress a PDF to 100 KB or 200 KB (Free, Step by Step)
Exam forms, scholarship portals, bank KYC pages, and job sites love strict size limits: “PDF must be under 100 KB” or “maximum 200 KB.” Your scanned certificate is 3 MB, and the deadline is tonight.
The good news: most of that size is image data, and image data shrinks a lot. Here is the order of steps that gets almost any document under the limit, in your browser, on phone or laptop.
Step 1: Compress with the Extreme level
Open Compress PDF, add your file, and choose Extreme. This level is built for strict upload limits: it reduces image detail to cut the size hard while keeping the page readable on screen.
Download the result and check the new size shown on the page. Scanned pages and phone photos often drop to a small fraction of the original size in one pass.
- Open Compress PDF and add your PDF
- Select Extreme
- Tap Compress and check the new file size
- Download and upload to the portal
Step 2: Keep only the pages the portal needs
Every page adds weight. If the form asks for your mark sheet, it usually does not need the blank back side or the instruction page. Use Remove Pages to drop extra pages, or Extract Pages to keep just the one or two that matter, then compress again.
A one-page scan is far easier to bring under 100 KB than a five-page bundle.
Step 3: Scan smarter next time
The cleanest small PDFs start with a clean scan. Flat paper, good light, and a straight angle give a sharper page at a smaller size than a dark, tilted photo.
If your scanner app lets you pick black and white or grayscale for text documents, use it. Color is only worth the extra size for photos, stamps, and signatures that must appear in color.
When the portal wants several small files
Some sites ask for each document separately, each under its own limit. Split a long PDF into parts with Split PDF by Size, or save each certificate as its own file with Extract Pages, then compress each part.
FAQ
Can I compress a PDF to exactly 100 KB?+
Compression works by reducing image detail, so the final size depends on how many pages and images the file has. Short scans shrink the most, and you see the new size before you download. If it is still a little over, remove extra pages and compress again.
Will the text still be readable after compressing this much?+
Yes for on-screen reading and form checks. Extreme is made for uploads and sharing. Keep your original file for high-quality printing.
Is it free to compress PDFs to a small size?+
Yes. Compress PDF is part of your free daily uses, with files up to 25 MB, no ads on the page, and no watermark on the result.
Does my document get uploaded to compress it?+
Everyday compression runs in your browser on your own device, which makes it a good fit for certificates, ID cards, and bank documents.
Can I do this on my phone?+
Yes. Open Compress PDF in Safari or Chrome, pick the file from Files or Downloads, and compress. No app is needed.