Compress PDF to 500 KB

You need a PDF under 500 KB - a common limit for email attachments, job applications, and document portals.

Balanced mode is the right choice here: it reduces images moderately and optimises the PDF structure, giving a significantly smaller file while keeping everything clearly readable.

Balanced mode: good size reduction with quality preservation
Preserves text sharpness and readable images
Switch to Compact if Balanced still leaves the file too large

Choose file(s) to upload

Files up to 700 MB

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Compression level

Target size (optional)

MB

Maximum output size in MB. Leave blank to use the selected compression level.

Frequently asked questions

Which compression mode should I use for a 500 KB target?

Balanced is a good first try - it handles most documents well. If your PDF contains many high-resolution photos, Compact will get you further. If it is mostly text, Optimize may be enough.