Scholarship portals, state recruitment sites, university admissions and many government forms cap PDF uploads at 100 KB, 200 KB or 300 KB. A PDF scanned on a phone is usually 1–5 MB. This guide gets it under the limit while keeping the text readable.
First, check what the form allows
Read the upload box carefully. Some forms give a range (for example 50 KB to 300 KB), so a file that is too small is also rejected. Some forms also want one PDF per document, or a fixed page size such as A4.
Method 1: Compress the PDF directly
- Open the PDF Compressor and choose your file.
- For a scanned or photographed document, choose Strong. It turns each page into a compressed image, which saves the most space.
- Lower the quality step by step until the size shown is under your limit (for example 90 KB for a 100 KB limit).
- Download and open the file. Zoom in to make sure names, numbers and seals are still readable.
Method 2: Rebuild the PDF from compressed images
This gives you the most control, especially for a strict 100 KB limit.
- If you have the PDF, turn its pages into images with PDF to JPG. If you have phone photos, use them directly.
- Work out a budget per page: limit ÷ number of pages, minus a little. For a 100 KB, one-page document aim for 85–90 KB; for a 200 KB, two-page document aim for about 90 KB per page.
- Compress each image to that target with the Image Compressor.
- Combine them with JPG to PDF and check the final size.
Method 3: Remove pages you don't need
If the form asks for only one document, cut out the extra pages with the PDF Splitter. Fewer pages means a much smaller file.
Tips for small but readable PDFs
- Crop out the table and background around the document before converting.
- Greyscale is smaller than colour, if the form allows it.
- For text-only pages, a width of about 1000–1200 pixels is usually enough to read clearly.
- Don't compress the same file again and again. Go back to the original each time.
If the PDF is too small
For forms with a minimum (such as 50 KB), use a higher quality in Strong mode, or rebuild from larger images with a higher target size.
Every portal sets its own limits. Always check the official notice for the form you are filling before you upload. ToolSandook processes your files in your browser and is not connected to any government website.
Frequently asked questions
How can I reduce a PDF to 100 KB?
Use the PDF Compressor in Strong mode and lower the quality until it is under 100 KB. For more control, convert pages to images, compress each to about 85–90 KB divided by the page count, and rebuild with JPG to PDF.
How do I compress a PDF to 200 KB on mobile?
Open ToolSandook's PDF Compressor in Chrome or Safari, choose the PDF, pick Strong mode and download when the size shows under 200 KB. Nothing is uploaded.
Why is my compressed PDF blurry?
Strong mode turns pages into images. If text looks soft, raise the quality a little, crop out background, or keep only the pages you need so each page can use more of the limit.
The form says my PDF is too small. What now?
Some forms have a minimum such as 50 KB. Compress with a higher quality, or rebuild the PDF from bigger, clearer images.